A couple of Peoria, IL remarks.

I’ve noted earlier that The Decider is coming to Peoria to raise money for Aaron Schock and the RNC. Here is a rather funny Scott Shepler cartoon on that:

(larger)

Peoria and Pedestrians Some time ago, I attempted to walk to a location that was 5 miles away. This was not a training walk; this was an attempt to “get somewhere while enjoying myself” walk. Needless to say, it was not a totally pleasant experience, given that sidewalks were non-existent or in bad states of disrepair.

The Journal Star editorial staff has noticed.

For an even bigger thrill, try getting to the fair or the theater – heck, even the hardware store – without your car. We guarantee it’ll be the most hair-raising experience you’ve had in years. Straddle the shoulder on potholed streets with no sidewalks! Traverse five-lane intersections without crosswalks! Endure honks and jeers from passing motorists! [...]

Other cities have done a much better job intermingling residential and commercial areas so that banks, stores, restaurants and schools are within pedestrian reach. At the very least, they’ve built “complete” streets, ones with bike lanes and sidewalks set back a safe distance from traffic lanes. See Madison, Wis., for a stellar example. What has Peoria done? There are pockets of progress, such as the walk-to-work initiative proposed by City Hall. Still, that focuses on luring residents to older neighborhoods, many of which already have infrastructure to accommodate pedestrians.

As for City Hall’s other big idea – erecting pricey condos on riverfront parkland, then building out into the Illinois River, ostensibly to get people to live Downtown – such an enormous amount of money, time and energy would be far better spent retrofitting existing streets with sidewalks and bike lanes. Much of Peoria north of War Memorial Drive, where residential and commercial development continues to shift, lacks these. [...]

Mostly, the city needs an attitude adjustment. Walking or biking or taking the bus is not something to be looked down upon…