Alternative transportation growing pains
Posted on 23. Jan, 2010 by Tony Arranaga in Featured, News
Let’s face it – Downtown Phoenix is not New York. Phoenix is not Los Angeles. Phoenix is not Portland. Phoenix has alot of growing to do when it comes incorporating alternative transportation into everyday life. Major cities like San Francisco and Chicago built hubs around neighborhoods, which makes socializing much easier. This is not the case in Phoenix – but thanks to the light rail we’re on our way! Much of my daily commute involves multiple forms of alternative transportation: the light rail and my bike are just two examples. Usually I combine those two in particular in one trip since places of interest are so spread apart in the heart of downtown.
I’m heading to CenPho Camp today to take part in a panel discussion with Nick Bastian and David Bickford (RailLife and PHXRailFood). I’m hoping all of us in attendance can exchange ideas with small business owners on how to maximize the foot traffic from light rail passengers. One suggestion I have – install a bike rack. This will show you not only encourage a greener way of life in Phoenix but will also encourage people to leave their cars at home.
I’m going to start a list of businesses along the light rail that have bike racks. Hopefully, in the days and weeks ahead, I can add to this roll call of restaurants which support alternative transportation in Downtown Phoenix.
- America’s Taco Shop (McDowell station)
- Conspire Coffee (Roosevelt station)
- Fair Trade Cafe (Roosevelt and Central station)
- Gallo Blanco (Indian School station)
- Hula’s Modern Tiki (Camelback station)
- Lux Coffeebar (Campbell station)
- Maize’s (Camelback station)
- Phoenix Public Market (Central station)
- Postino Wine Cafe (Camelback station)
- Royal at the Market (Central station)
- Switch (Encanto station)
- Ticoz (Camelback station)
- Urban Bean (Osborn station)
- The Wild Thaiger (Encanto station)
Tara
01. Feb, 2010
Let’s not forget about the many businesses outside of downtown that are emphasizing the importance of alternative transportation to their own employees! They truly help reduce traffic congestion and pollution by getting people to stop driving alone in their cars to work. Scottsdale Insurance, Swift Transportation HQ, Bank of America, and APS are few (top of mind) that encourage employees to pair up and carpool, or help them learn how to use public transit to get around.
Matthew Petro
02. Feb, 2010
I reread this post and it reminded me of something Mark Ng said during your CenPhoCamp panel…in cities like London, rail is not “alternative” transportation, it IS transportation. While I don’t think a system like the Tube is appropriate for Phoenix, I think we need to work towards creating a city in which light rail and buses are equal partners with cars as modes of transit for many residents.