Raise the Hammer
We Can Prevent Traffic Deaths if We Make Safety a Real Priority
As we reel from another incomprehensible tragedy, we must ask: how many more lives need to be sacrificed before we decide that enough is enough?
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 08, 2020 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
These Aren't 'Accidents', These Are Results
Our culture's obsession with the automobile and unchecked reverence to it is killing us, our loved ones and our children, and we don't care.
by Tom Flood
Published December 04, 2020 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
One Resident's View of Safe-Sizing Aberdeen Avenue
Speed kills people and neighbourhoods. I want the neighbourhoods along Aberdeen Avenue to be the healthiest they can be for generations to come.
by Graham Crawford
Published September 09, 2020 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
Predictions of Chaos and Doom for Herkimer, Charlton Bike Lanes
Fear of change is a powerful reactionary force. It's time for Hamiltonians to learn from our own experience that making streets safer and more inclusive won't cause the sky to fall.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 08, 2020 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
Answering the Obstructionists: The Case for Traffic Calming on Aberdeen
We can take concrete steps to make it harder for people to drive at dangerous speeds on Aberdeen, while physically protecting the sidewalks.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 04, 2020 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
Safe Crossing Needed on King at Bernie Morellie Recreation Centre
Unfortunately, our city has been prioritized for motor vehicle travel and we lack many of the needed safety measures to create a safe and sustainable community.
by Edward Harris
Published March 06, 2020 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
Whitehead Concern Trolling Aberdeen Traffic Calming Recommendations
Will Ward 14 Councillor Terry Whitehead ever stop being wrong about what makes our city streets safe and functional for everyone?
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 26, 2019 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
How to Make Queen Street Safer
We could have saved the life of Herman Ohrt by applying the Hierarchy of Controls to the design of our transportation system.
by Kevin Love
Published October 25, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)
Two-Way Conversion of Park Street Between Cannon and Barton
The piecemeal conversion of Hamilton streets continues today with another 650 metre section
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 27, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
Councillor Illegally Tweets Photos While Driving to Score Phony Point About Traffic
In a misguided attempt to score a rhetorical point yesterday, Whitehead appears illegally taken and posted two photos of backed-up traffic on Queen Street South in violation of Ontario's Distracted Driving law.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 12, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (6 comments)
Council Demonstrated their Values in Emergency Road Funding
Can you imagine if our civic leaders were as upset about people being maimed and killed on our streets as we are about people in cars being slightly inconvenienced?
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 10, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)
People Keep Getting Crushed on Hamilton's Dangerous-By-Design Streets
Year after year after year, we fail to act on the urgent, pressing need to make our streets safer.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 05, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)
Public Space Design Lessons for Hamilton from Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki is a highly livable mid-sized city that has great transit and makes lots of room for pedestrians and cyclists.
by Bob Manoljovich
Published July 19, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
No Accommodation for Vulnerable Pedestrians on King Near Wellington
We routinely provide accommodation to protect drivers and workers, and rightly so, but pedestrians are too often ignored and forgotten.
by Karl Andrus
Published July 11, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
Lively Transportation Panel Discussion Unpacks Historic Challenges, Opportunities
After 30 years of blundered opportunities to make our communities safer, healthier and more prosperous, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area has a shot to get it right - but it will take lots of citizen engagement and political leadership.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 18, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
An Inconvenient Bollard
The poor beleagured knockdown bollard on the northeast corner of Herkimer and Queen has had quite a ride in a short time.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 25, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Make Hamilton Streets Safer Using the Hierarchy of Controls
Ontario's Ministry of Labour has an effective Vision Zero policy that has been very successful in eliminating deaths and injuries from Hamilton's factories. The same approach would also work on our deadly streets.
by Kevin Love
Published April 11, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Another Day, Another Serious Collision on Aberdeen Speedway
It's Groundhog Day at the intersection of two horribly dangerous urban arterials that Council has steadfastly refused to fix, year after year.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 06, 2018 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)
Transport Trucks Do Not Belong in the City
We should not be deforming our communities and denying the potential for traffic calming, just so that a transport truck driver can save a couple of minutes shortcutting through the heart of the city.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 23, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (9 comments)
Traffic Calming Changes to Slip Lane at Queen and Aberdeen
A bumpout has been added on the north edge of the slip lane to discourage speeding into the slip lane, and the wedge of raised curb on the intersection side of the slip lane has been widened to create a neckdown for cars turning onto Queen.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 17, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
Motion to Convert Queen to Two-Way Amid Regular Traffic Carnage
Councillor Whitehead's motion would refer the two-way conversion of Queen to the 2018 Capital Budget process.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 08, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)
New Life for Long-Delayed Queen Street Conversion
The status quo on Queen Street is both dangerous and pointless for everyone in its current configuration: motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, commuters and local residents alike.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 31, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
Becoming a Mommy Flaneur
Cities have been designed with the needs of men in mind, for a time when women did mostly unpaid work and community work. Women have different transport needs, but these realities are not reflected in our city building efforts. Why not?
by Maureen Wilson
Published October 23, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)
Road Work Accommodates Driving, Not So Much Walking and Cycling
The City's drivers-first priority is even on display when reconstructing a sidewalk.
by Karl Andrus
Published October 06, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
Queen Street Needs Better Than Speed Limit Signs
A horrific crash on Queen this morning highlights the inadequacy of the new 40 km/h speed limit signs to reduce dangerous speeding on this multi-lane one-way arterial street.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published October 05, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)
Piecemeal Two-Way Conversions on Hughson, King William
Hughson Street North will be switched to two-way between Wilson Street and Barton Street East, and King William Street will be switched to two-way between John Street North and Mary Street.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 23, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
The Halifax Department of Silly Walks
Flags and high-visibility clothing are useful for temporary conditions and for traffic control personnel, but not for everyday conditions and everyday people.
by Sean Marshall
Published July 28, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
The Burden to Prevent Needless Traffic Fatalities
When Council delays action on pedestrian safety, Council is accepting the burden of needless, preventable deaths.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published June 06, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Everyone Deserves Safe Streets
It's great that Councillor Lloyd Ferguson recognizes the value of safe streets in Ancaster. He just needs to extend the same understanding to residents in the rest of the city.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 06, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Let's go Dutch part VII: Stop Killing Children!
In The Netherlands, the kind of rat-running that killed Jasmin Hanif has been systematically eliminated from almost every residential street in the entire country.
by Kevin Love
Published June 01, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)
Take Whitehead's Advice and Make Yourself Heard
This call to action on complete streets, bike lanes, parking lots, parking rates and LRT from a senior member of Council should not go unheeded.
by Craig Burley
Published March 17, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)
Angry Right-Wing Populist Whitehead Smears Movement for a More Inclusive City
Whitehead wants the best of both worlds: to be seen magnanimously doing the right thing at a policy level, while at the same time dog-whistling the bitterness and resentment of cynical anti-urbanists who see the lower city as 'nowhere'.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 15, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (14 comments)
Fully Signalized Intersection at King and Pearl
This is an encouraging sign that staff increasingly regard the city as a work in constant progress, susceptible to continuous incremental improvements.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 18, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)
Hamilton's Vision Zero Survey that Only Drivers can Complete
A 'Vision Zero' survey that can only be completed by drivers is going to be about as effective as a "mouse protection" survey that can only be completed by cats.
by Kevin Love
Published November 08, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Remove it and They Will Disappear
If you make it easier and quicker to drive, more people drive. If it is not so easy to drive, fewer people will drive or they will drive less. The net result of reducing lanes is less traffic, not gridlock.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published September 26, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
Hamilton Needs to Design for Health and Illness Prevention
This is a time for serious talk and meaningful action. Instead, we have some members of Hamilton City council who would have us get sucked into a time warp. That's a dereliction of duty.
by Maureen Wilson
Published September 22, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)
City Opens First New Pedestrian Crossover (PXO)
The new PXO at Limeridge Road East and the Escarpment Rail Trail is the first of more than thirty to be installed before the end of 2017.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 19, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)
Vehicle Speed and Stopping Distance
Vision Zero calls for a commitment to 30 km/h speed limits on most city streets in part because a vehicle's stopping distance increases dramatically with its speed.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 29, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Beckett Drive Closure Demonstrates Need for More Balanced Aberdeen
We can do a better job of balancing the understandable desire for cut-through drivers to save a bit of time with the equally-understandable desire of local residents to have a safer, more inclusive street for all uses.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published August 26, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (26 comments)
Site Plan for 560 Grays Road and Multi-Use Path - Updated
The City's head of planning has clarified that the site plan for a new development planned at Grays Road and Frances Avenue will not replace the existing paved multi-use path with a sidewalk, forcing cyclists into vehicle traffic.
by Viv Saunders
Published August 11, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)
Cognitive Psychology and Vehicle Speed
A seemingly small difference in vehicle speed can mean life or death for a pedestrian or cyclist, and not just because it heightens the force of impact in a collision. It's not just because physics. It's also because psychology.
by Michelle Martin
Published August 04, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (7 comments)
Whitehead Withdraws Divisive Motion, Introduces Different Divisive Motion
An otherwise sensible motion to look at adding sidewalks to suburban streets without them turns into yet another attack against the lower city.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 13, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association Responds to 'Divisive and Sarcastic' Motion
Neighbourhood association calls on Council to remove negative language, ensure any proposed solution is balanced and inclusive, and avoid duplicating staff work already underway.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 10, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
An Annotated Tour of Councillor Whitehead's Latest Traffic Motion
The motion is a jumble of narrow, mean-spirited, divisive noise that presumes its own conclusions, pits different parts of the city against each other and does nothing to move the city forward.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 09, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (46 comments)
PlanLocal: Building Safer Streets In Ward 2
We encourage anyone who lives or owns a business in Ward 2 to identify their unsafe locations and potential solutions online or at a location in their neighbourhood.
by Graeme Douglas
Published May 05, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
Whitehead: Notice of Motion to Close Queen Street, West 5th Accesses
Angry about a housekeeping motion to fix an amendment missed from a Council-approved motion on Aberdeen Avenue, Councillor Whitehead proposes closing the Beckett Drive and James Mountain Road accesses.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 02, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (29 comments)
Getting to Real Pedestrian Safety
'Shared responsibility' messaging ignores our basic human responsibilities - to look out for the more vulnerable among us.
by Justin Jones
Published May 02, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)
City to Install Only Three to Five Pedestrian Crossovers This Year
The excuses keep changing, but the pattern of inaction continues year after year. It is past time for staff priorities to start matching what citizens are demanding.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published April 19, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Why Vision Zero Calls for a 30 km/h Speed Limit
The short answer is: because physics. For the longer answer, we need to review some classical mechanics you may remember from high school.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 18, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
King William Closure an Opportunity to Make Easy Improvements
We have all these progressive visions and master plans in place but when it comes time to do the work at street level, none of it seems to matter.
by Sean Burak
Published April 18, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Dangerous Streets Discourage Children from Walking to School
We can make a city where it really is the best place to raise a child - where it's safe to walk to school - but that will require political leadership.
by Jason Allen
Published April 15, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
WHO Diabetes Report Calls for Active Transportation Infrastructure
The solution to this crisis is not to tell people to be more careful but rather to combine education and policy to create an environment in which a healthy lifestyle becomes the default rather than a defiant act of will.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 07, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (7 comments)
Vision Zero Bolted Onto Road Safety Status Quo
Vision Zero is not just some hand-wavy "principles and values" you can say you support and then go back to doing what you were already doing.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 31, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (66 comments)
Hamilton Has a Dangerous Speeding Problem, Not a Congestion Problem
It is not a coincidence that we have among the lowest levels of traffic congestion and among the highest rates of injury risk for people walking and riding bikes.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 24, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (40 comments)
Toronto Neighbourhoods Choosing Safety, Livability Over Speeding Traffic
A city can plan for people, patios, jobs, commerce and vibrant neighbourhoods, or else plan for speeding cars and window mattresses.
by Jason Leach
Published March 21, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (40 comments)
Terry Whitehead's Cute War Against Safer Streets
Whitehead's covert war on safe, inclusive streets aims to tie staff's hands and passively block the City from being able to achieve the goals that Hamiltonians have repeatedly called for and Council has repeatedly set.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 07, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)
Familiar Themes in Rolston Neighbourhood Action Plan
It turns out we all want to live in safe, healthy, walkable neighbourhoods that meet our physical and social needs.
by RTH Staff
Published March 07, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
Our Raging Roads Are Dangerous By Design
No amount of education or enforcement can overcome the predictable effects of streets that are designed to maximize the likelihood, speed and severity of collisions.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 02, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (70 comments)
Active Transportation Growing Pains as City Piles Snow on New Walkway
It's very encouraging that Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr has shown active support for this improvement, both in the construction phase and through its operational maintenance.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 18, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Pedestrian Nonfrastructure on Fennell at West 5th
It's hard to believe this situation exists so close to Mohawk College, a giant new hospital development, and right in front of the Auchmar property.
by Bob Berberick
Published February 08, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (32 comments)
Even Walkable Streets Dedicate Most Space to Cars
Even streets that are regarded as urban and walkable still allocate the lion's share of space for the exclusive use of cars, squeezing everything else to the margins.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 20, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)
Councillor Green to Introduce Vision Zero Motion
Ward 3 Councillor Matthew Green has introduced a notice of motion to establish a Vision Zero-style commitment to road safety in Hamilton, particularly for people walking and cycling.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 19, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (32 comments)
No Wonder the Main West Esplanade BIA Has Gone Dormant
The actual reason behind the challenges facing this BIA just might have to do with the fact that the businesses in question find themselves facing what has been rightfully called a multi-lane highway.
by Azher Siddiqui
Published January 12, 2016 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (38 comments)
13-Year-Old Pedestrian Struck at Mud Street and Winterberry Drive
We need to stop blaming people for being human and start blaming our streets for punishing normal, predictable human behaviour with tragedy.
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 21, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (86 comments)
King-403 Ramp Crossing Update, December 2015
The City has made some changes to the King Street West ramp over Highway 403, but the fundamental issues remain unresolved.
by Martin Zarate
Published December 21, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)
Yet Another Pedestrian Fatality: When Will Council Commit to Safe Streets?
It is not a coincidence that senior citizens are disproportionately represented among the victims or that so many of these deadly collisions happen on wide, multi-lane thoroughfares designed to maximize the flow of automobile traffic.
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 14, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (67 comments)
Councillors, Staff Present Wentworth Two-Way Conversion Plan
The final designs are not yet complete, but the two-way conversion of Wentworth Street should be complete in time for the start of school in September 2016.
by Bob Berberick
Published December 11, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)
Commit to Vision Zero in Hamilton
With a traffic fatality rate of just 3 in 100,000 and falling, Sweden is inspiring other jurisdictions to look more carefully at what it has done to achieve such impressive progress.
by Jason Leach
Published December 07, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
Enough Platitudes: We Need Safe Streets Now
I honestly don't know how many more ways we can come at this to try and make the point that Hamilton needs to change how it designs its streets.
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 07, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)
Transportation Master Plan Public Meeting Results
The results from participants at the most recent Transportation Master Plan review public meeting.
by Bob Berberick
Published December 06, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (7 comments)
How Many More People Have to Die?
Enough is enough. It's time to stop using endless plans and studies as an excuse to keep delaying necessary action to make Hamilton safer for everyone.
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 03, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (60 comments)
Tragic Deaths Highlight Need for Safer Streets
The recent fatality of a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk and a cyclist riding on Claremont Access highlight the unmet need for safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in Hamilton.
by Jason Leach
Published December 03, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (15 comments)
Let Hamilton Be Ambitious Again
There will always be people who complain when any change to the status quo happens. We expect better from our leaders.
by Jason Leach
Published December 01, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (14 comments)
Complete Streets Opposition the Same Old Political Fear and Loathing
This war on the lower city comes from the ugly political tradition of stoking contempt to manufacture a phony crisis and score cheap points at the expense of the city's overall well-being.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 30, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
Whitehead's Proposed Complete Streets Moratorium is Nakedly Cynical
It is Whitehead's job as a Councillor to lead for the good of this entire city, not to play this childish game of divisive political theatre.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 26, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (75 comments)
Victim Blaming By Police After Pedestrian Struck on Sidewalk
The police can't fix what ails Hamilton's streets, but they can stop adding insult to injury - literally - by conceiving and describing collisions in language that blames the pedestrian for daring to get in the way of a car.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 25, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)
How to Let Upper Wellington Become a Local Commercial Centre
Modest changes initiated now could make a huge difference over the next decade.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 24, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
Notice of Motion to Put Aberdeen on a Road Diet - Updated
Ward 1 Councillor Aidan Johnson is bringing a motion to review Aberdeen Avenue for a complete street redesign to today's General Issues Committee meeting.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 18, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (80 comments)
Speed Radar on Beckett Drive Belies Gridlock Claims
On Beckett Drive, even the rush hour traffic is not congested by any reasonable definition of congestion.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 06, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (9 comments)
Some Design Ideas for Making Aberdeen a Safer, More Inclusive Street
Aberdeen can easily accommodate that traffic volume with one lane in each direction and a centre turn lane. That gives us some room to play.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 30, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)
City to Install New Crosswalk at Queen and Herkimer
The new crosswalk will be a Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) based on new designs recently approved by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 15, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)
This Time, Council Must Actually Follow its Transportation Plan
Will the Transportation Master Plan review become yet another exercise in public consultation that goes nowhere?
by Jason Allen
Published October 13, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
OIOPBY and NIYBY in the Hammer
More and more, we are seeing Councillors and city staff oppose developments that are actually supported by local residents.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published October 07, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (9 comments)
Debating Councillor Whitehead on Aberdeen Road Diet
Hamilton has an amazing opportunity to repurpose its excess lane capacity, built during our industrial heyday, to create a rich, safe, high-quality active transportation network.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 06, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (107 comments)
Complete Streets Presentation for SPN Workshop
Our streets are our collective property, our shared public resource. Ultimately, we can choose to do what we want with them.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 02, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
New Pathway along Mountain Brow Boulevard
The new multi-use pathway is wide enough for two-way bike traffic and a raised curb separates it from the road.
by Jonathan Lambert
Published September 23, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (37 comments)
Motion to Waive Road Widening is Welcome But Should Not Be Necessary
No urban commercial district can thrive next to a five-lane highway. The absolute minimum we can do is agree that our five-lane highway does not need to become a six-lane highway!
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 28, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (10 comments)
New McMaster Report: Shaping Hamilton with Complete Streets
A new report by the McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics reviews the opportunities for Hamilton to adopt a street design approach to make our streets safer, more inclusive and more economically prosperous.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 15, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
City Cancelled Sidewalk Inspections in 2012 due to Computer Issues
The City's beleaguered Public Works Department admitted in court that it did not inspect the City's 2,382 kilometers of sidewalks in 2012 due to "experiencing computer problems".
by Joey Coleman
Published June 11, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
Dangerously High Vehicle Speeds Recorded on Hunter
The fact that half of all drivers exceed the speed limit and maximum speeds of 70 km/h were observed at all times of the day indicates that we do have a very serious and dangerous speeding issue here.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published June 11, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (78 comments)
Dangerously High Vehicle Speeds Recorded on Herkimer
The City's mobile radar trailer recorded maximum speeds of 80-90 km/h on every day of the trailer's operation on Herkimer Street.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published June 04, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (56 comments)
Stone Church Road East Inhospitable to Human Beings
These environments are not dangerous because of some immutable natural law. They're dangerous because we built them that way.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 03, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (92 comments)
Making Ontario's Roads Safer Act Passes
The Ontario Government has passed a new law that provides additional protection to vulnerable road users and beefs up penalties for distracted and impaired driving.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 02, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)
HHS Parking Expansion Plan is Harmful and Unnecessary
This parking lot expansion would be harmful to Beasley Neighbourhood, would represent a policy inequity between neighbourhoods, and is not needed.
by John Neary
Published May 04, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
Hamilton Out of Excuses Not to Put People First
Even car-dominated cities can change rapidly if they make a deliberate sequence of decisions to become more attractive, more efficient, less car-dependent places.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published May 01, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (61 comments)
Another Failure of Our One-Way Street Network
A problem at a single intersection should not make an entire three-block radius inaccessible.
by Sean Burak
Published April 22, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (37 comments)
Crossing at Wentworth and Cumberland Only an Interim Measure: Farr
A safe crossing at the Rail Trail is still a long-term goal but that will take a long time to achieve, since Canadian Pacific Railway needs to be part of the process and that tends to take a long time.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 30, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)
Charlton-Wentworth Traffic Calming Proposal a Cop-Out
This back-handed recommendation is typical of a city that does everything it can to avoid inconveniencing people in cars for the sake of people not in cars, even when people are being killed.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 25, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (77 comments)
'Modified Standard' Sidewalk Curb Cuts Put Pedestrians at Risk
Why replace a design that worked for decades with a design which puts pedestrians at risk, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities?
by Steven Toth
Published March 23, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (43 comments)
No Need to Remove Curbside Parking on Bold and Bay
Removing curbside parking spots will only result in higher vehicle speeds, less protection for people walking, and needless opposition from people concerned about the loss of parking.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 13, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (67 comments)
Two-Way Conversion on Bold, Duke Meets Knee-Jerk Fear of Change
You can't have a successful participatory process if it gives a veto to those who don't participate.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published March 12, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (87 comments)
Opposition to Safe Streets Holding Up a Better Hamilton
Why is it so onerous that residents of the Downtown want to feel safe on the streets where we live, work, go to school, shop and play?
by Lee Edward McIlmoyle
Published February 24, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (42 comments)
More Correspondence With Councillor Whitehead
Councillor Terry Whitehead doubles down on his claim that downtown transit activists are trying to hijack the city's transportation plans.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 23, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (96 comments)
Open Letter to Councillor Whitehead on 'Hijacking' and Engaged Citizens
We need to stop pretending that there is any part of this city to which we do not all have a shared responsibility to govern with fairness and insight and respect.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 20, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (101 comments)
More Divisive Anti-Downtown Rhetoric from Councillor Whitehead
How does denigrating citizen engagement, driving a wedge between neighbourhoods, and reducing the lower city's role to that of a place to drive through promote any of the City's goals?
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published February 19, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (53 comments)
Province Suggests Reducing Speed Limit, Victim-Blaming Ensues
We don't accept "blaming the injured" as a sufficient response for workplace injuries. Why is it okay on our streets?
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published February 05, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (39 comments)
Vancouver's Extraordinary Transportation Statistics
Vancouver's traffic outcome is the predictable result of a deliberate policy to change the context in which people make transportation choices.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 30, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (50 comments)
Salvage Something from Bus Lane Removal
We can't go back to a five-lane highway west of Locke. It is simply too dangerous.
by Jason Leach
Published January 24, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (30 comments)
A Pedestrian's View of King Street in the International Village
Thanks to the effect of 'platooning', people have very different experiences on our lower city one-way arterials depending on whether they are inside or outside a car.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 16, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)
A Pedestrian's View of Main Street West
As long as Main Street continues to be five lanes of roaring high-speed automobile traffic, none of the elements of a pleasant, human-friendly environment will be possible to achieve.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 07, 2015 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)
My Bike Collision Story: We Need Safe Streets Now, Not Later
We need a cultural shift in Hamilton and we need it now, not after every other city and town has proven that reducing limits is effective.
by Kari Dalnoki-Veress
Published December 31, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (53 comments)
Waterdown Widening Another Example of Fiscal Double Standard
I can't help but wonder whether the city's fiscal watchdogs and scolds will raise the alarm about spending over $20 million to widen a single street.
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 19, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)
Response from MTO on Dangerous Hwy 403 Ramps - Updated
The Transport Ministry is working with the City 'to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at several interchanges along Highway 403.'
by RTH Staff
Published December 16, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)
Mohawk Road East Residents Call for Safer Pedestrian Crossing
63 residents have signed a petition for a safer pedestrian crosswalk at Mall Road and Mohawk Road East.
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 16, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)
Traffic Calming in Strathcona Neighbourhood
The city's new transportation culture is already in evidence in Strathcona neighbourhood, where staff have been busy adding traffic calming and walkability measures.
by RTH Staff
Published December 05, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)
Meeting with Transportation Managers Heralds a Culture in Transition
Over the past few years I have gotten the sense that the culture in Public Works is changing, and that culture change was in full evidence last night.
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 05, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (55 comments)
Traffic Chaos Demonstrates Need to Diversify Our Transportation Network
When the supply of lane capacity increases, the quantity of traffic increases to fill it, eliminating the surplus.
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 01, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Rebecca Conversion No Longer Losing 13 Curbside Parking Spots
Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr confirmed in an email to RTH this morning that most of the parking spots will be retained.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 10, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (35 comments)
City Should Not Remove Curbside Parking on Rebecca - Updated
Rebecca is just as wide as several other lower city streets that have two-way traffic and curbside parking and work perfectly fine.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 05, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)
Pedestrian Dies after Collision on Cootes Drive
As long as we continue to deform our built environment to accommodate high-speed, high-volume automobile traffic, people will continue to die. It's really that simple.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 03, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (23 comments)
Part of Rebecca Added to Baby-Steps Two-Way Conversion Schedule
On November 15, Rebecca will be converted to two-way between John St N and Wellington St N.
by RTH Staff
Published October 31, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)
Active Transportation Roundup, October 2014 Edition
It has been a beautiful autumn in Hamilton, but with cold weather approaching, the City is winding down its outdoor Public Works so this will probably be the last roundup until next spring.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 30, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (16 comments)
James and Young: Yet Another Broken-By-Design Crosswalk
Why bother spending the money to put this crosswalk in, only to make it minimally useful for pedestrians (while claiming that it is an improvement)?
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published October 30, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (44 comments)
Challenges to Citizen Advocacy for Healthy Communities
Notes from a talk I gave at the 2014 Health Summit on Aging, Chronic Disease and Wellness, organized by the Conference Board of Canada.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 24, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)
City Fixes Broken-By-Design Crosswalk on Hunter at MacNab
Deciding that we can't design for walkability because it will disrupt our previous designs to optimize driving is a recipe for preserving the status quo indefinitely.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 03, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)
Vancouver Commits to Zero Traffic Fatalities While Hamilton Stonewalls Even Modest Safety Improvements
Vancouver's impressive pedestrian safety statistics are not some random effect, but the result of several deliberate policies sustained since 1997 and continued to this day.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published September 30, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
Crosswalk at Hunter and MacNab Deformed to Maintain Automobile Traffic Flow
After local residents organized to dedicate money to new walkability infrastructure, they are now faced with the prospect of spending another few months trying to get the city to fix the broken-by-design implementation of that infrastructure.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 30, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (42 comments)
Pedestrian Killed at Highway 8 and Green Road
We need to transform all our streets into accessible, inclusive public places that bring people into contact safely and accommodate a variety of ways of getting around.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 10, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
Yet Another Developer Asking for Two-Way Streets
We have a classic opportunity for education and leadership, not stalling and cowardice. How much more trauma, injury, death and lost potential will we endure while we wait to act?
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 09, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (17 comments)
Safe Speeds for Turtles But Not For People
Maybe the needs of 1,500 turtles will be taken more seriously than those of 25,000 student and staff residents when deciding whether to make Cootes Drive safer.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published September 03, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
Strategic Road Safety Program Part of New City Commitment to Safe Streets
After decades of stonewalling efforts to make neighbourhood streets safer, the Public Works Department finally seems to be taking complete streets seriously.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 13, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)
Commit Fully to Two-Way Complete Streets on Wentworth, Sanford and Victoria
I hope we can see this conversation happen soon in Hamilton, as it would be of huge benefit to this entire neighbourhood from the escarpment right to the north end.
by Jason Leach
Published August 12, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (16 comments)
King Street West in Dundas: Opportunities for Improvement and Lessons for Hamilton
We have compelling examples of how a lively urban street works right in our own city, but we stubbornly refuse to draw the obvious conclusions.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 08, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)
We Are Already Well Past 'Peak Driving'
If we truly seek a prosperous future, it lies in a real commitment to revitalized urban centres that set us on a path to economic sustainability and social inclusion.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 06, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Two Lanes Closed on Main, No Gridlock
Surely there must be some low-cost options to 'share' the excess space on Main Street and make it more accessible to everyone.
by Bob Berberick
Published July 30, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (79 comments)
Ward 2 Residents Vote for Safe Crossing at Charlton and Wentworth
A pedestrian-activated traffic signal for trail users across Wentworth at Charlton will be funded by the Ward 2 area rating fund after voters picked it as a winning proposal in the participatory budget.
by Ryan McGreal
Published July 24, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (10 comments)
Charges Pending in Alarming Single Vehicle Collision on Main Near Victoria
Debris from the bus shelter was thrown over 30 metres onto the lawn of a long-term care home across the street, and glass covered the entire intersection.
by Joey Coleman
Published July 06, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (54 comments)
John and King Unsafe for Pedestrians
Despite a policy to support walking, vehicular travel lanes are consistently given top priority whether we consider permanent infrastructure design or temporary closures for construction.
by Sean Burak
Published July 06, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)
Four Decades of Stonewalling by the Traffic Department
The Durand and Kirkendall Neighbourhood Associations were requesting two-way conversions, traffic calming and reduced speed limits back in the 1970s.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published June 11, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
Proposal to Redevelop Mary Street as a Complete Street
We encourage local residents and businesspeople and all other people who have an interest in the design of Mary Street to come out to our community meeting on June 5 to give their opinions on this proposal.
by Allison Chewter and John Neary
Published June 04, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
Edinburgh to Enforce 30 km/h Speed Limit on All Residential Streets
With more than three decades of clear evidence, there is no excuse for any city to continue dragging its feet on implementing a safe, humane speed limit for the most dangerous objects on the road.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 23, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)
Paris to Implement City-Wide 30 km/h Speed Limit
This is not a timid pilot project with a five-year moratorium on implementing changes anywhere else: it is a city-wide initiative that follows logically from the city's experiments with lower-speed and pedestrian-only zones.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published May 22, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)
Over 15,000 Hamilton Motorists Ran Red Lights in 2013
I suppose all those self-described drivers who say cyclists shouldn't be allowed on the roads because they roll through stop signs will hang their heads in shame.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published May 21, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (41 comments)
More Parochial Excuses Not to Implement Two-Way Conversions
Is it really so strange that the city's largest employment hub, business and creative centre gets a lot of attention, especially since it has been under-performing for so many years due to self-inflicted wounds?
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published May 16, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (70 comments)
Active Transportation is the Public Health Issue of Our Time
Hamilton has a huge head start with our many walkable prewar neighbourhoods, yet we continue to push ahead with 1970s-style car-dependent sprawl.
by Jason Leach
Published May 16, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (31 comments)
Another Senior Citizen Dies after Automobile Collision
Pedestrians are disproportionately at risk of injury and death on high-volume thoroughfares where the physics of high vehicle speeds means collisions are both harder to avoid and more likely to result in serious injury.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 07, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (6 comments)
City to Spend Tens of Millions on Road Reconstruction
Before freaking out about the next cycling investment, we need to put our our very modest investments in walking and cycling infrastructure into perspective.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 23, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (45 comments)
Celebrating a Small Victory in the Campaign to Recall Our Streets
The City responded to a request to lower the speed limit on King Street near Dundurn, reducing a needless 400-metre freeway effect.
by Andrew Pettit
Published April 18, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (37 comments)
Freeway Speeds on City Streets Designed Like Freeways
Apart from the houses and chain link fence on the Claremont Access, its design is not much different from Highway 407.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published April 16, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)
Sign up to Slow Down with 30 to Zero
Zero accidents is our goal. Driving 30 kilometres an hour in neighbourhoods is one of the ways we'll get there together.
by Jay Robb
Published April 09, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (87 comments)
Ideas to Recall Our Streets from Boulder, Colorado
In Boulder, Colorado, they have 'recalled' dangerous highway-style slip turn lanes to slow traffic and make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists to cross.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published April 09, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)
Recall Our Streets By Lowering Speed Limits
Cities and towns around the world are moving to a 30 km/h speed limit for residential and urban streets.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 07, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)
City Streets Engineered for 70-100 km/h
Our traffic engineers are actively enabling dangerous lawbreaking by motorists. This is not just hypocritical and immoral, it is also extremely dangerous.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published April 04, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (52 comments)
Baby-Steps Citizens Panel on Two-Way Conversion Scares Councillors
Even an all-wards citizens' panel to consider the two-way conversions that Council already approved over a decade ago is too radical for some councillors.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 03, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)
Time to Issue a Recall on Hamilton's Unsafe Streets
Our streets are designed for fast driving, and that has made them far more dangerous than average. When are we going to 'recall our streets' to fix their fatal design flaws?
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published April 02, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Hamilton Deserves Better than Knee-Jerk Populism
This is not just some "culture war" drama but a life-and-death struggle to make this city safe for its own citizens - and particularly its most vulnerable residents.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 02, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (41 comments)
City to Conduct Traffic Safety Review on Queen Street
After two serious vehicle collisions with pedestrians in less than a month, city staff will review Queen Street to identify potential improvements.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 31, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (10 comments)
No More Queen Street Carnage
Any politician who continues to defend and excuse this city's insane legacy of deadly cars-first-and-cars-only road infrastructure against all evidence to the contrary has the blood of these preventable pedestrian injuries and deaths on their hands.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 28, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (70 comments)
City Finally Notices that Traffic Volumes are Falling
For years, we at RTH have been arguing that Hamilton has too much lane capacity and that the excess roadway should be put to more productive use.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 26, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)
Driver Kills Elderly Pedestrian, Found Not Guilty of Careless Driving
It is hard to build a safe transportation infrastructure for pedestrians when the courts interpret the laws in a way that makes it clear there is no real deterrent for not driving safely around pedestrians.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published March 14, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (31 comments)
Latest Pedestrian Injury Part of a Depressing Pattern
Street design must begin with the assumption that there will be people on the street - and that those people deserve respect.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 12, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)
Stop Blaming Pedestrians for Dangerous Streets
When it is effectively impossible to walk safely from one address on a given street to the next address, there is something fundamentally wrong with the design of that street.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 03, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
Traffic Calming on Lansdowne in Toronto a Model for Queen Street
Lansdowne used to be four lanes but the city narrowed it to one lane each way with parking on one side - exactly what Queen should look like.
by Jason Leach
Published January 13, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)
Bristol Moves Ahead With 32 km/h Speed Limit
Bristol is moving quickly to establish a safer speed limit over much of the city, while Hamilton insists on a five-year pilot in the North End before considering any other reductions.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 10, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (32 comments)
Longwood Road Should Follow Complete Street Guidelines
According to Chicago's complete streets design guidelines, Longwood Road is an excellent candidate to be one lane in each direction, not four lanes with a centre turn lane.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 10, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (56 comments)
City Fixed Broken-By-Design Crosswalk at Herkimer and Caroline
City staff installed the crosswalk with a non-functioning button and a long delay for pedestrians.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 08, 2014 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)
Complete Streets? Stop the Madness!
This is the road network we need and deserve - free from the irritation of cyclists, pedestrians, stop lights, turning lanes, oncoming traffic, and pretty much any other users of the road, allowing you to get anywhere in well under 20 minutes.
by Chris Higgins
Published December 19, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (38 comments)
The Walkability Dividend and the Age-Old Political Struggle
Every municipal service that cities provide today is the outcome of an earlier argument between people who wanted to improve urban quality of life and people who didn't want their taxes to go up.`
by Ryan McGreal
Published December 18, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
An Open Letter to Councillor Lloyd Ferguson
Downtown does belong to everyone, and our one-way, high-speed thoroughfares are holding it back from realizing its potential.
by Justin Jones
Published December 03, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (25 comments)
While Hamilton Agonizes Over Urban Arterials, Seattle Implements Complete Streets
Seattle is turning a five-lane arterial into a complete street with new streetcars and a protected two-way cycle track.
by Jason Leach
Published December 03, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (16 comments)
Our Fast, Dangerous Streets are Killing Senior Citizens and Children
The people being killed on our streets are the most vulnerable people in our society. They need to be protected - from us.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 22, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)
The Transportation Revolution is Coming
The car culture is a juggernaut, but we should all take comfort in the fact that in the background, several forces are working to our advantage.
by Matthew Sweet
Published November 18, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)
How Legal Liability is Determined in a Driver-Pedestrian Collision
Legal liability assessments in the case of collisions between drivers and pedestrians indicates that the City's policy of neglecting uncontrolled crosswalks is not legally sound.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published November 10, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)
'Courtesy Crossing' Signage Not Finalized Yet
The City should be trying to educate drivers that they do have to yield to pedestrians crossing legally at an uncontrolled intersection.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 08, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (26 comments)
Yet More Pedestrian Improvements Across Hamilton
With Councillors supporting a new pedestrian mobility plan, let's take a look at some recent pedestrian improvements the city has already made.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 07, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)
Summary of New Pedestrian Mobility Plan (Part 2 of 2)
The new Pedestrian Mobility Plan is big step for pedestrian safety, equity, economic development and revitalization, but it is missing arguments on some of these key points.
by Sara Mayo
Published November 05, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Summary of New Pedestrian Mobility Plan (Part 1 of 2)
New Pedestrian Mobility Plan is big step for pedestrian safety, equity, economic development and revitalization: City staff present a detailed walkability strategy to Hamilton's Councillors on Wednesday.
by Sara Mayo
Published November 05, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (7 comments)
Anti-Pedestrian 'Courtesy Crossing' Pilot in New Pedestrian Signal Program
City staff recommend a new proposal to put up signs at uncontrolled intersections warning pedestrians that vehicles are 'not required to stop'. This dangerous plan misrepresents the Highway Traffic Act.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published November 04, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Pedestrian Crossing Coming to Main and Pearl
Traffic lights have been installed and await inspection for a new signalized pedestrian crosswalk on Main Street at Pearl Street.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 23, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)
Time to Abandon a Failed Theory of City Building
After decades of applying the theory that economic development in downtown Hamilton depends on making it easy to drive, the verdict is in.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 08, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
No Excuse Not to Understand How Cities Work
The lower city and particularly the downtown core do belong to everyone, and that means everyone has a legitimate interest to ensure that it flourishes and thrives.
by Ryan McGreal
Published October 02, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (26 comments)
57 Years and Counting: Hamilton's Love Affair with One-Way Streets Needs to End Now
Let's take a sensible leap into the known and start acting like the ambitious city we could be, not the fearful bedroom community to which too many of us aspire.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 20, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (91 comments)
Who Has the Right of Way at an Uncontrolled Crosswalk?
Many drivers assume they have the right of way at uncontrolled crosswalks, but both drivers and pedestrians have a shared responsibility to accommodate each other.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 28, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
Cannon Street a Case Study in Disastrous Design
Cannon Street should be full of people walking, cycling, chatting, doing business, socializing and otherwise interacting. Instead, it is desolate, save for the clumps of fast automobile traffic.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 22, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (93 comments)
Raise the Pedestrian
Pedestrians legally have the right of way at intersections, but drivers in Hamilton do not expect to have to stop for them. This expectation needs to change if Hamilton is to achieve inclusive streets.
by Brynn Horley
Published August 20, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)
Zebrapalooza
Tactical Urbanism, North End Traffic Plan, Code Red Neighbourhood Planning and citizen/Councillor requests boost a limited pilot project into a boom in pedestrian improvements at intersections across the city.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 19, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (42 comments)
Draft Complete Streets Policy Adds to Momentum in Hamilton
Complete Streets policy is becoming understood by more and more organizations, businesses and residents across Hamilton as a key to improving health, quality of life and economic opportunities.
by Sara Mayo
Published July 31, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Transformative Change in Hamilton: Just Add Leadership
This Council's legacy could be to be remembered forever as the council that finally busted the 1950s status quo in our city.
by Jason Leach
Published July 29, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)
Complete Streets Need Improved Transit
Or, How the HSR made me a car commuter.
by Frances Murray
Published July 19, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (6 comments)
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back on Pedestrian Safety in Hamilton
After years of neglect, there have been encouraging signs in the past couple of months that the City's attitude toward pedestrian safety is starting to change. It needs to change faster.
by Ryan McGreal
Published July 17, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (10 comments)
Revitalizing Elmwood Village in Buffalo Continues to Lead the Way
Hamilton Council continues to shun investment along King, Main and Cannon Streets, and then complain that they don't contribute enough to the tax base.
by Jason Leach
Published July 17, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
Buffalo Can Teach Us About Thriving Urban Neighbourhoods
Buffalo's Elmwood district is demonstrating that success can be developed in any urban area when the goal is to create vibrant business districts and residential neighbourhoods instead of merely treating these neighbourhoods as dead freeways.
by Jason Leach
Published July 02, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)
Toward a Complete Streets Policy for Hamilton
An inspiring policy event on complete streets in Hamilton calls on all of us to become advocates for safe, walkable, cyclable, equitable streets that serve everyone.
by Maria Topalovic
Published June 28, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)
Complete Streets: Burden of Proof on Opponents
We need to challenge opponents to produce evidence that supports their speculative claims against making our streets safer and more accessible to everyone.
by Justin Jones
Published June 27, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
City Installs Knockdown Sticks at Herkimer and Locke
City workers have installed knockdown sticks to delineate the bumpouts on the corner of Herkimer and Locke.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 21, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (7 comments)
It's Oh So Quiet
The closure of Beckett Drive demonstrates just how pervasive through traffic normally is: loud, intimidating, dangerous and relentless.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 14, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (14 comments)
A Complete Streets Policy for Hamilton
Come to a public event on June 26 to help grassroots policy development for Hamilton's upcoming Complete Streets policy.
by Sara Mayo
Published June 13, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (14 comments)
Pedestrian Use Triples After Crosswalk Installed
According to new data provided by the City, pedestrian crossing at Aberdeen and Kent has more than tripled since a pedestrian-activated crosswalk was installed there.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 10, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (7 comments)
MacNab Conversion an Opportunity for Better Walkability
The City should incorporate street trees and zebra crossings in its two-way conversion of MacNab Street.
by Jason Leach
Published June 10, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)
City Bolsters Crosswalks at Multiple Locations
The City has undertaken crosswalk improvements at several locations around Hamilton, suggesting a new commitment to maintaining and improving walkable infrastructure.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 07, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (25 comments)
Hamilton 'Must' Convert Streets Back to Two-Way: Architects
Following a long history of advocacy for livable streets, the Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects has delivered a strongly written demand that Council convert downtown streets back to two-way traffic.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 31, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (107 comments)
Induced Demand in Action at Aberdeen and Kent
When an intersection is more pedestrian-friendly, more pedestrians use it.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 30, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (10 comments)
Vulnerable Neighbourhoods Should Be Highest Priority for Traffic Calming
When the City implements traffic calming measures in affluent neighbourhoods and ignores more vulnerable neighbourhoods, it actually deepens the inequality between them.
by John Neary
Published May 29, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (26 comments)
NYC Redesigns its Streets for Safety, Vitality and Diverse Use
New York City measures what it wants to improve: improve: more pedestrians, more cyclists, fewer injuries, less speeding, better business. Hamilton measures service level for drivers and calls it a day.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 13, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)
Ghost Crosswalks Haunt Hamilton Intersections
Let's hope that recent citizen actions mark the beginning, not the end, of 'autonomous civic engineering' around our city, or at least spark a little serious soul-searching among those who do it for a living.
by Undustrial
Published May 12, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (17 comments)
Close Call on Longwood Highlights Incomplete Street Design
Given the current design of Longwood Road South and the uses around it, the question is not whether there will be a serious accident, but when.
by Sean Hurley
Published May 02, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (37 comments)
Two-Way Study Group Audits Queen Street
As the City continues to move forward in exploring how to address transportation planning, this participatory approach may be of great help to a Council looking to engage more directly with its citizens.
by Dave Heidebrecht
Published April 10, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
Cannon Street in Pictures
These photos show how dysfunctional Cannon Street is today. There is no good reason not to convert Cannon into a balanced, complete street right now.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 09, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (40 comments)
Complete Streets Renovations in Toronto Should Inspire Hamilton
As Hamilton prepares to do complete streets renovations on Queen and Cannon Streets, we should take a cue from Toronto's successful renovations on Landsdowne and Roncesvalles Avenues.
by Jason Leach
Published April 03, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
Hamilton's Excessive Overbuilt Roadways
Every square foot of unnecessary lane capacity costs us a huge amount to install, maintain, plough, and replace. We simply can't afford to waste money on unnecessary infrastructure.
by Sean Burak
Published March 28, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
Kill a Pedestrian, Pay a $500 Fine
Far from always being 'blamed', the motorist who kills a pedestrian in a crosswalk is almost always given the benefit of the doubt.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published March 21, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)
Streets are for People
A city whose streets are designed for people in cars, but not all the other ways people use to get around - like walking, cycling and public transit - is dysfunctional by design.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 19, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
One-Way King Street Strikes Again
People make decisions at the margin, and small differences in accessibility produce big differences in behaviour.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 18, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (70 comments)
Portland Bureau of Transportation on Traffic Management
Portland doesn't have 'best place to raise a child' as its official slogan, but they are light years ahead of us in achieving that goal.
by Jason Leach
Published January 25, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (31 comments)
Hamilton's Car-Centric Infrastructure Strikes Again
Each one of these deadly automobile-centric intersections represents negligence on behalf of the city, putting road users at risk with a benefit to no one.
by Sean Burak
Published January 25, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (89 comments)
OMB Rejects North End Speed Limit Appeal on James, Burlington
The Ontario Municipal Board rejected a proposal to impose a 30 km/h speed limit on every North End street including James and Burlington, arguing that the City's transportation plan will increase pedestrian safety without sacrificing flexibility.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 02, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (57 comments)
Data Show Traffic Volume Argument For One-Way Streets Is False
The data show once and for all that the massive one-way network that was built to accommodate the crush of north-east industrial sector workers is simply not needed anymore.
by Jason Leach
Published December 17, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (62 comments)
Sound the Alarm: Council Set to Engage on Complete Streets
As a dialogue on two-way conversions grows alongside similar dialogues on downtown renewal, economic prosperity, and municipal and regional transportation, the more citizens that truly engage in these issues, the better.
by Dave Heidebrecht
Published December 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Getting Across: Fennell Avenue East to the Late Mountain Plaza Mall
After watching senior citizens play Frogger to cross Fennell between a senior's residence and Mountain Plaza mall, a local resident is asking for a pedestrian crosswalk.
by Joshua Weresch
Published December 05, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
Complete Streets Support Public Health
A Complete Streets Policy for the City of Hamilton would help the city focus on addressing the relationship between health and the built environment, but success will not come without public support.
by Maria Topalovic
Published November 29, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
Transportation and a Healthy Hamilton: A Growing Community Dialogue
When communities attempt to engage with decision-makers on the importance of complete streets, it is crucial to frame the argument within the context of larger policy issues.
by Dave Heidebrecht
Published November 27, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)
Councillors Launch Complete Street Study Group For Cannon, Queen
Hamiltonians are invited to walk Cannon and Queen and plan their conversion from one-way thoroughfares into complete streets.
by RTH Staff
Published November 20, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (48 comments)
International Village BIA Formally Supports Walkable Two-Way Streets
'There is no greater obstacle to the success of businesses within our core, and no single issue that could be fixed more easily' than conversion to two-way streets.
by RTH Staff
Published November 14, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)
Hamilton: Still Anti-Urban in 2012
King Street west of Bay carries 24,800 cars per day. As anyone in the area has noted, traffic flows fine with the lane closures, even during rush hour. The rest of the day it's a downright scary freeway.
by Jason Leach
Published November 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (50 comments)
Enough is Enough: No More Pedestrian Carnage
City streets designed for slow-moving automobile traffic are streets designed to be inherently safe.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 02, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (32 comments)
Lessons from Buffalo for Hunter Street
Hunter Street has room for curbside parking and two-way bike lanes, and one traffic lane is more than enough capacity for the number of cars it carries today.
by Jason Leach
Published October 26, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)
Turning Cannon into a Complete Street
Now is the time to bring balance and complete streets to our major one-way corridors through our urban neighbourhoods and through the heart of our downtown commercial district.
by Jason Leach
Published October 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (23 comments)
Greetings From London
A recent visitor to Hamilton loved our hospitality and friendliness, but was seriously off-put by our intimidating and confusing one-way streets.
by Jenn Nelson
Published September 26, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
Two-Way Street Networks are More Resilient
Too much of the debate over Hamilton's streets is driven by familiarity with the status quo, fear of change and a tendency to rationalize existing beliefs instead of reasoning from evidence.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 25, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)
Two-Way Complete Streets Safer for Pedestrians, Better for Business
My submission to The Hamiltonian's Perspectives Virtual Panel on two-way street conversion in Hamilton.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 22, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (31 comments)
Coroner's Report on Pedestrians Recommends Complete Streets
The Ontario Coroner's report on pedestrians recommends a "road safety paradigm shift" to reduce vehicle speeds and improve the accessibility and safety of streets for all modes, especially the most vulnerable road users.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 20, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (10 comments)
Comparing Traffic Volumes on One-Way and Two-Way Streets
What happens to the traffic volume argument against two-way conversion when our city's two-way streets actually carry more cars than the one-ways?
by Jason Leach
Published September 19, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)
Complete Streets Would Help Code Red Areas
I'm not asking Hamilton City Council to lead the way or do anything ground-breaking. I simply ask that we learn from other cities that have already led the way and have done things that work.
by Jason Leach
Published September 11, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (44 comments)
Who Has a Story to Tell?
The flurry of facts, figures and studies surrounding the benefits of change are no match for a compelling narrative.
by Jason Allen
Published September 11, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (26 comments)
Councillors Balk at Implementing Two-Way Streets
Fear of change was the order of the day among mountain and suburban councillors, who backed away from a proposal to implement the 'Putting People First' agenda approved in 2001 and reaffirmed in 2008.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (114 comments)
84 Letters for Councillors on Two-Way Implementation Team
Of the 84 letters residents submitted to today's General Issues Committee meeting, 80 fully support Councillor McHattie's motion to establish a one-way to two-way implementation team and only three oppose it.
by RTH Staff
Published September 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)
One-Way Streets Make Wayfinding More Difficult
One-way streets help create distorted cognitive maps of a city that present it as inaccessible, with incredible friction of mobility.
by Dwayne Ali
Published September 05, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (17 comments)
Two-Way Streets Support Neighbourhood Equity
Complete streets, neighbourhood equity and an aging population are important considerations for the proposed two-way streets implementation committee.
by Sara Mayo
Published September 05, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (80 comments)
Take Action to Support Two-Way Implementation Team
Take a few minutes to send a letter of support for Councillor McHattie's two-way implementation team before noon on Wednesday, September 5.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 04, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (38 comments)
Motion to Establish a One-Way to Two-Way Implementation Team
Councillor McHattie's motion would establish a committee to plan and implement two-way conversions across Wards 1 and 2, starting with Cannon and Queen Street.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 31, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (47 comments)
Proposal to Convert Mary Street to Two-Way Between Barton and King William
Perhaps we have been going about this the wrong way and should just start asking our Councillors to convert specific streets to two-way traffic.
by John Neary
Published August 13, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (23 comments)
One-Way Streets and Two-Way Conversion in Paris
It is possible to make a one-way street like Main pedestrian-friendly, but it would involve huge cost and a major decrease in traffic capacity - and it wouldn't address the harm done to local businesses.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published June 22, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)
The Mystery of the Missing Gridlock: Induced Demand, Generated Traffic and Misleading Models
Accurate traffic forecasting must take into account the feedback effects of spare capacity (to increase demand) and congestion (to reduce demand), as well as the broader land-use implications of roadway design.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 21, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)
One-Way Streets are Holding Hamilton Back
Until Hamilton's main east-west streets are returned to even a modicum of livability, there's really no point in talking about inviting new business or slapping up snazzy banners and calling it something-ville.
by David-James Fernandes
Published June 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (81 comments)
Collision on Cannon Street a Lethal Wake-Up Call
How many more people need to be injured or killed before our Council and traffic engineers decide to engineer our streets for safety, rather than lethal speeds?
by Jonathan Dalton
Published June 13, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (112 comments)
Disconnects Between Two-Way Conversion Plan and Implementation
Citizens, staff and councillors have dedicated countless hours of discussion and debate developing the Downtown Transportation Master Plan, but there is a terrible gap between what the plans call for and what has actually occurred.
by Kelly Foyle and Simon Kiss
Published June 12, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)
Hamilton Needs the Courage to Change with the Times
If your goal is to move as many cars through the city as quickly as possible, one-way streets are excellent. The devastating trade-off is that they destroy the livelihood of the neighbourhoods they pass through.
by Terry Cooke
Published June 10, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
The Impact of Street Traffic on Residents: Some Research Findings
Research from Denver and San Francisco indicate that traffic on one-way streets is more intimidating than on two-way streets, and that neighbourhood interaction declines as traffic increases.
by Sarah V. Wayland
Published June 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
Downtown Neighbourhoods Unite Against Dangerous Streets
We, the residents of downtown Hamilton, have had enough. We demand safe streets. We don't want studies, we don't want excuses. We want safe streets now.
by Jonathan Dalton
Published June 04, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (44 comments)
A New Vision For Main Street West
These illustrations demonstrate what Main Street could be like, what it should be like, and perhaps what it will be like if City Council - and the City's traffic engineers - heed the growing clamour for balanced streets.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published June 01, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (136 comments)
Traffic Engineers Reorganized into Multiple Divisions
Will the reorganization of the city's traffic engineers into more integrated divisions help to effect the shift in priorities on which our Transportation Master Plan is founded?
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 31, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (23 comments)
Support Growing for Walkable Streets
Momentum is building among councillors and city staff to revisit Hamilton's 50-year-old commitment to fast traffic flow through the core.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 28, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (35 comments)
A Conversation with Councillor Morelli
Ward 3 Councillor Bernie Morelli talks about improving walkability, building an integrated and connected transportation system, and dealing with speeding traffic and the challenges of an inner city ward.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 25, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (55 comments)
A Business Case for Conversion from One-Way to Two-Way Streets
Today, we have a better understanding of what ingredients can contribute to a vibrant and prosperous city, and it is not limited to traffic flow.
by Sarah V. Wayland
Published May 24, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)
Usability and Usefulness of One-Way Streets
In the design of a city street - the most fundamental piece of public infrastructure - it makes more sense to target the broadest possible use, i.e. everyone.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 23, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (29 comments)
City Streets Deserve a Chance to Succeed
Why are business owners on King Street less deserving of an atmosphere for success than business owners on King Street in Dundas or Wilson Street in Ancaster?
by Jason Leach
Published May 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)
Changing Our Perspective on One-Way Streets
The livability of our downtown streets can no longer be guided by those who see them only as a means to get through as quickly as possible.
by Aaron Newman
Published May 17, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (30 comments)
Walkability and Transit Are Key To Hamilton's Economy
A report commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce finds that "walkable environments should be viewed as economic infrastructure that attract employment and should be invested in accordingly."
by Adrian Duyzer
Published May 16, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (15 comments)
Searching for Answers to Hamilton's Love of One-Way Streets
Despite the success of the James/John two-way test case, why were we more progressive a decade ago than today?
by Keanin Loomis
Published May 16, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (62 comments)
Hamilton's Problem Is Not Ignorance
No matter how many times we hear from experts, no matter how many pleas we hear from the people who actually live downtown, and no matter how many cities we observe engaging in successful processes of transformation, we don't change.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published May 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (62 comments)
Safe Streets in Hamilton's North End up to Ontario Municipal Board
Urban neighbourhoods cannot go on allowing themselves to be terrorized by large volumes of traffic moving at high speeds on streets not meant to act as extensions of provincial highways.
by Shawn Selway
Published May 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)
Hamilton: Succeeding And Failing At The Same Time
"On The Cusp", an event recently held in Hamilton, turned a spotlight on Hamilton's ongoing inability to engage in the fundamental transformation it needs.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published May 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (17 comments)
2012 Hamilton Transportation Summit an Important Step Toward Complete Streets
The annual Transportation Summit helps to fortify the ideas of sustainable transportation in our collective conscious and creates a forum for city staff to report on their progress and stay focused on improvements.
by Maria Topalovic
Published April 10, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Longwood Road Plan Sacrifices Complete Streets for Cars
Against the city's own objectives, the Longwood Road preferred plan jettisons walkable streets, bike lanes, scaled roadways - any consideration of anything other than cars and trucks.
by Graham McNally
Published April 05, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
Concerns About Longwood Road Preferred Alternative
Despite calls for better pedestrian and cycling access, the Longwood Road plan prioritizes automobile flow-through over other modes.
by Transportation for Liveable Communities
Published April 04, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)
2012 Transportation Summit: More Experts for our Traffic Planners to Ignore
Expert after expert continually tells Hamilton to make its downtown streets safe and walkable, but we prioritize automobile through traffic over all other concerns.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 28, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
Plans for Pedestrians or Streets for Pedestrians?
Although the various plans and policies developed in Hamilton are usually progressive and intelligent, they are mostly ignored by our decision makers.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published February 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (31 comments)
Two Steps Forward, One and a Half Steps Back on Walkability
The City installs a signalized crossing at King and Pearl, but then prohibits pedestrians from crossing on the west side of Pearl.
by Jason Leach
Published December 02, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (67 comments)
No Excuse For Hamilton's Pedestrian Deaths
If a dozen people were randomly shot and killed in Hamilton, the community would go nuts. So why are we so complacent about pedestrians dying on our streets?
by Adrian Duyzer
Published October 22, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (41 comments)
A Distant Mirror: 40 Years of Urbanism in Vancouver
Vancouver and Hamilton were remarkably similar cities 40 years ago, but deliberate choices have put these two cities on diverging paths. This article examines the reasons Vancouver has become a city known for its livability and dense urban form.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published August 02, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (63 comments)
Enough Ideas: Time for Action
How many more times do we need to keep hearing the same message about what needs to change before we muster up the courage to act?
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 22, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Successful Pedestrian Places Can Inspire Hamilton
Successful pedestrian places provide public space that is attractive and functional, feels comfortable and safe, mixes a variety of uses (including residential), and de-emphasizes the automobile.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 26, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (83 comments)
Gore Master Plan 'Still On Schedule' Despite Pedestrian Pilot Cancellation
Instead of installing parking meters on an "interim basis", the City could have simply closed the south leg to through traffic on an "interim basis", granted nearby businesses some generous outdoor operating licences and watched what happened.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 25, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)
King Street East: Hamilton's Shabby, Neglected Gateway To Downtown
King Street East is just another example of the way our city's traffic engineering department is killing neighbourhoods across the city.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published May 08, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (52 comments)
Where Can Pedestrians Cross the Street?
Hamilton Police Constable Claus Wagner has kindly provided some clarification on what pedestrians are and are not allowed to do when crossing the street.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 15, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (9 comments)
Walkability Website Launches Local Campaign
A new website provides the ability for community organizers to launch local walkability campaigns.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 11, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)
Forgiving and Unforgiving Road Networks
The only way to achieve a real reduction in pedestrian casualties is through a street network designed to anticipate, tolerate and forgive human imperfection.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 11, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
Ottawa Street Textile and Shopping District
The Great Places in Canada competition has taught us locally that we embrace and are proud of the type of experience provided by community-friendly neighbourhood streets.
by Larry Pattison
Published March 22, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (50 comments)
Hamilton's Great Places Can Teach Us About Livable Street Design
James Street North, Locke Street South and Ottawa Street North are among Hamilton's most vibrant, livable streets, providing object lessons on how to improve the livability of the rest of the city.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 18, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
Fast Networks, Slow Networks and Safety Through Negotiation
Safe street design accepts and embraces the idea that a slow network entails connections and interactions between people moving on it.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 17, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (55 comments)
Taking Steps Toward a Pedestrian Master Plan
The Pedestrian Master Plan is an opportunity for Hamilton to raise the priority of walkable neighbourhoods from 'nice to have' into a real strategic goal.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 10, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
Faults and Faultlines: On Making Safer Streets
We need an approach to traffic safety that assumes people are imperfect and establishes an environment that is more fault tolerant than our streets are today.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 08, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (44 comments)
Will City Commit Fully to Livable Downtown Streets?
If we don't go all-in with our rapid transit plan, we're at serious risk of ending up with an underwhelming rapid transit system with minimal impact.
by Ryan McGreal
Published July 16, 2010 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
Two-Way Streets, Not More Studies
Hamilton needs to follow the footsteps of those cities that already mustered the courage to do right by their downtown streets and are enjoying the fruits of the urban renaissance we also claim to desire.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 21, 2010 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (59 comments)
So How's That Enforcement Working For You?
When policy goes up against human nature, policy loses every time. Successful policies work because they are designed to accommodate what people are going to do anyway.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 14, 2009 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (37 comments)
The Speed Factor
It's dangerous nonsense to suggest that speed is not a factor when a moving vehicle kills a pedestrian.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 09, 2007 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (3 comments)
Safer Streets by Design
As well as trying to change behaviours, we should also arrange our physical environment so the danger of collisions is reduced without sacrificing the pedestrian character of city streets.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 30, 2006 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (9 comments)
Boulevard of Repaired Dreams
Upper James is a nightmare today, but it would make a wonderful European-style boulevard.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 09, 2006 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)
Designing Livable Cities: An Interview With Donald Schmitt
DSAI Principal Donald Schmitt talks about sprawl, two-way streets, and the role citizens play in ensuring good architecture.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 28, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
No Two Ways About It
All the myriad encounters and interactions that take place in city streets collectively add up to city life, city economy, and city culture.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 10, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
Open Up
The lesson for King Street West is to follow the lead of architect Bruce Kuwabara, who managed to transform an ugly fortress into a warm, inviting gallery, and open the facilities to the street.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 31, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
Child Friendly Cities
Despite airs of child-friendliness, the actual built environment of suburbia is extremely hostile to children's most basic needs.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 14, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
Braving the Tunnel
Good streets aren't created by fiat, but given fertile conditions, good streets can be 'grown' over time. If we make the necessary changes, Main Street may still bear fruit.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 14, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)
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