Two very different schools (of thought), including a drive-only elementary!

This is the first of (likely) two posts, today, that will explore some on-going themes on MVB -- related to the contrasting perspectives used to (try to) make our cities better. 

The other post should have probably come first, and both involve a little more text and a little less pizazz than recent posts. But, you'll live.

Rene Johnston / Toronto Star

Two schools.

1. You cannot be dropped off at school in a car (pictured above).

2. You cannot not be dropped off at school in a car.

The first, in Milton, Ontario, is trying to "set the culture to begin with [in this new school].... We know we aren't going to get 100 per cent compliance, but if we can get 90 per cent, I'm thrilled."

Great -- and in Ontario no less!

The second, in Saratoga Springs, NY, has a no-biking policy and reproached a student and his mum for biking 7 miles to school on National Bike to Work Day.

School officials took her son’s bike and stored it in the boiler room. They told her she would have to return with a car to retrieve the bike later in the day. [the Saratogian]

Not so great. That's quite depressing, actually, in an amusing kind-of-way.

Let's take the example of the second school to explore these two perspectives/approaches to... 'bettering', a little more.

The family:

For Marino [mum] and her family... the policy is at odds with other attitudes in the city.

“What I’m looking for, at least for right now, is that a child accompanied by an adult could ride their bike to [the school],” she said. “Hopefully they will create a better scenario for kids to walk and bike.” [the Saratogian]

The principal:

“I would be a nervous wreck every day if kids were riding to school,” [the principal] said. “Traffic isn’t bumper to bumper, but it’s non-stop.

... While traffic is one concern, Byrne said he also worries about children traveling unsupervised through the community.

“If you look at the North Broadway route that the parent used that day... I don’t know how you say to the community at large that is a safe area.”

... He pointed out an incident several years ago where John Regan attempted to abduct a student at Saratoga Springs High School.

“It’s that one-time occurrence that will have everyone wringing their hands,” Byrne said. “I’m a little conservative on this one. If anything happened, it would weigh on me for the rest of my life.” [the Saratogian]

  Head in the sand -- South Park

To me, this is a great example to help make explicit two developing themes on MVB, which have definitely featured on recent discussions regarding bettering Shelbourne and bike helmet legislation.

The themes (the first one is most relevant, in this post):

1. Unless you are pushing for regressive or glacier-speed change, we need committed individuals that are willing to stand up and accept responsibility for short-term 'failure' and criticism in exchange for long-term and much greater gain.

Which is the alternative to this example: Ball-less, band-aid solutions that make people feel all warm and fuzzy -- which they don't realize is actually just due to their increasing waste line.

 

 mymoratorium.wordpress.com

2. Car-oriented perspectives (actions, and policies) perpetuate themselves. Human-oriented perspectives (actions, and policies) perpetuate themselves. 

One step backwards, two step forwards. Or, with perpetuation, one step back, continual forward stepping.

For example:

Problem: A commuter street is regularly clogged with traffic and unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists.

Solution: Remove a vehicular lane in exchange for cycle lanes and streetscape improvements. This means a step back to face traffic problems and angry yokels for a month or two. There might even be an accident and congestion (which would never have previously happened)! Then, take several steps forward and reap the rewards of better traffic flow, more active transport, a cleaner environment, a nicer streetscape for pedestrians, cyclists, and so businesses, etc...

This forward-thinking solution is in contrast to BAND AID (or ball-less or politically-driven) solutions, which simply cover up the symptom(s) of a greater problem.

 conservationbytes.com

For example:

Problem: Regular clashes between a fast moving, 3000-pound metal objects and a much smaller lump of flesh (i.e., people) on a aluminum rocking horse.

BANDAID: Let's put helmets on the cyclists, sell a lot of reflective clothing, and teach them to expect the unexpected from drivers.

That will solve the problem! Brilliant! Three inches of foam and some reflective strips will do the trick And, for goodness sake, cyclists, stay out of the way!

In light of attention spans, I shall conclude:

Yes, I am sure that the conditions around this school in New York (state) are not particularly people-friendly. However, admitting defeat and establishing ball-less, brain-less policies that only perpetuate negative attitudes and a car-oriented environment are not the way forward.

With change, lots of people will be angry, some people will be negatively effected, and one or two serious accidents might even occur -- "because" of such changes (because none happen now, I'm sure) -- and the yokels will be up in arms.

However, in the words of Howe Gelb, that's how things get done. (And no, any illogical detractors, I am not referring to 'we cannot let a few lives stop progress'; that would be a gross misinterpretation.)

What we need is preventative action that builds a base for this 'perpetual' human-oriented cycle to grow from.

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On the bright side of things for the US:

DOT, First Lady & Childhood Obesity Task Force share important goal: Let's Move!