Marin Voice: Unveiling the Northgate promenade
Staff Report
Posted: 04/30/2010 12:09:28 AM
PDT
KIM BAENISCH
MAY 1 marks a momentous occasion in
the history of Marin's shopping malls, as Macerich, owner of the Northgate
shopping mall, is hosting a celebration of its innovative bicycle and
pedestrian promenade that frames the mall on its north and east sides.
The promenade offers the opportunity
for shoppers from the local community to walk, roll and stroll their way to the
stores, and encourages the elimination of vehicle trips for nearby residents
considering a meal or a purchase at Northgate. The public can test the new
facility at 11 a.m., and enjoy the fun family activities and bike parking being
provided until 3 p.m.
The Marin County Bicycle Coalition
applauds Macerich and members of the San Rafael City Council for implementing a
unique idea used primarily in Europe - a two-way bicycle lane adjacent to a
pedestrian sidewalk, both completely separated by a curb from vehicular traffic
on Los Ranchitos Road. Now, in conjunction with the mall's location on the
North-South Greenway (the north to south primary bike route through Marin),
shopping, dining and movie entertainment at one of Marin's recently renovated
malls has become even more accessible for residents and commuters along this
popular route.
To make trips by bicycle convenient,
the mall provided circle-shaped racks that can lock two bikes at one time.
But it's also important to
acknowledge the persistence and good work of community members who worked with
San Rafael City Council members to use these opportunities to create safe
passageways throughout the community. Shirley Fischer in Terra Linda led the
charge with other neighbors a decade ago to create the vision for a promenade
connecting Scotty's Market to the Civic Center. The mall is an important piece
of this long-term vision.
Kel Harris, Carolyn Lenert and Ray Lorber continue to work
with the North San Rafael Community to expand the Safe Passages program and
develop key community connectors and safe pathways along the North-South
Greenway.
Supervisor Susan Adams has lent her
support to this work in her district.
What better way to launch May as
National Bike Month, but with this acknowledgment of the value of walking and
bicycling to our well-loved destinations?
At the National Bike Summit in
Washington, D.C. last month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood closed
the summit by declaring himself a "full partner" with bicycle
advocates. Two days later, LaHood issued a new "Policy Statement on
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations" and
called for full equality for non-motorized transportation modes within federal
transportation programs.
Marin County has been an early
leader in this effort, through our participation in the federal $20 million
Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program to complete our bike/ped network.
Los Ranchitos has been completed and Puerto Suello Hill-to- Central San Rafael
and the Cal Park Tunnel are almost complete.
This new federal policy underscores
the benefits of walking and bicycling.
If bicycling is new to you, I invite
you to give it a try on Thursday, May 13, for Bike to Work Day.
Join thousands around the Bay Area
in celebrating bicycling as a fun healthy way to make your local trips - to
work, school, the store, library or movie.
MCBC will host 18 energizer stations
around the county that day to support new and veteran riders on their spring
morning bicycle commute.
Biking is a healthy way to reduce
traffic congestion and improve the environment. In just one hour, the average
person can save 52 cents per mile on gas, reduce carbon emissions by 15 pounds
and burn 450 calories.
With all these obvious benefits, I
hope to see you on your bike on May 13.
Kim Baenisch is executive director
of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.
