Posted by (+621) 7 years ago
It was a fine Spring day so I ran an errand on the bicycle about 3 o'clock this afternoon. All was well until I reached Main St. near Strevell Ave. The parade of single-occupant vehicles rolled by for over five minutes before the light changed and it still caught several vehicles at the light in both directions on Main St. I'm fairly sure this episode is repeated multiple times a day. Is this a problem? Well, yeah, it is. It's a traffic problem that has less to do with infrastructure than it does urban planning and personal behavior.
Last week, residents received a mailed invitation to provide input on how Miles City should grow. One thing that I hope resonates with our planning staff is that the high concentration of businesses on S. Haynes Ave. is largely responsible for traffic congestion throughout the city because at least half the town now travels completely across town for essential services. A healthy Main St. business district, more retail on Valley Dr. East and a more fitness-oriented community will relieve the congestion, particularly during the warmer months.
At most, the city is three miles from end-to-end yet how many of us jump in the car alone, burn fuel, add to congestion and put unnecessary wear & tear on both vehicle and city streets just to drive a few blocks rather than carve a few extra minutes for a little fresh air and exercise. There are several times of the day when it's faster to walk or bike. You know, as much as I admire those regularly working out, I have to SMH when I notice all the cars parked outside the gyms. And for all of Miles City's sports prowess, there's far more enthusiasm for sitting around and larding up on beer than for being fit. Custer County's high ranking relative to other counties in Montana for Western diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, obesity and depression will bear this out.
So, it looks like our choice is wiser urban planning, fitness and local economy or wasteful congestion, poor health and sloth. I hope you'll join me weighing in for the former.
Last week, residents received a mailed invitation to provide input on how Miles City should grow. One thing that I hope resonates with our planning staff is that the high concentration of businesses on S. Haynes Ave. is largely responsible for traffic congestion throughout the city because at least half the town now travels completely across town for essential services. A healthy Main St. business district, more retail on Valley Dr. East and a more fitness-oriented community will relieve the congestion, particularly during the warmer months.
At most, the city is three miles from end-to-end yet how many of us jump in the car alone, burn fuel, add to congestion and put unnecessary wear & tear on both vehicle and city streets just to drive a few blocks rather than carve a few extra minutes for a little fresh air and exercise. There are several times of the day when it's faster to walk or bike. You know, as much as I admire those regularly working out, I have to SMH when I notice all the cars parked outside the gyms. And for all of Miles City's sports prowess, there's far more enthusiasm for sitting around and larding up on beer than for being fit. Custer County's high ranking relative to other counties in Montana for Western diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, obesity and depression will bear this out.
So, it looks like our choice is wiser urban planning, fitness and local economy or wasteful congestion, poor health and sloth. I hope you'll join me weighing in for the former.
