It’s Time to Fix 12th Ave SE
Most days the longest part of my commute is spent standing. I live on the border of the Oakhill-Jackson and New Bohemia in Cedar Rapids, and work in the New Bo neighborhood. To get to work I have to cross 12th Ave SE. Right now 12th Ave is a stroad, a road that is dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. To get across I have to wait for there to be a large enough break in traffic that I can safely cross the street, as cars whiz by at speeds that mock the posted speed limit. Traffic moves at a high enough speed that there’s a 90% chance I’d be killed if I were struck.Now, with the return of spring and weather amenable to outdoor activities, I also have to contend with bikes whizzing past on the sidewalk.
Between the Cedar River and 10th St SE on 12th Ave there’s a salon, photo studio, four restaurants, two schools, shops, one big apartment building, three big mixed-use buildings, a three story office building, a church, a laundromat, a park, New Bo Market, and, last not but not least, single family homes. People walking and cycling stream along 12th all day every day. For them there are no bike lanes, cracked sidewalks, missing curb cuts for the handicapped, and two stop lights, one at 2nd St SE and another at 3rd St SE. There isn’t another stop for cars along 12th Ave at all north of 3rd, except for a Pedestrian Crossing near 15th Street, which isn’t helpful when you want to get across at 6th Street.
The built environment along 12th Ave SE has changed dramatically in recent years, with many of the restaurants, apartments and offices developed only recently. The pace of change in New Bohemia has been remarkable. Since the flood at least 218 new housing units have been built in New Bohemia and Oakhill-Jackson, plus hundreds more in adjacent neighborhoods. Most of these places are high density apartment buildings, full of people who moved into the area precisely because it’s possible to walk places.
Except, drivers fly down 12th so often that cops stake out parking lots waiting for speeders. Drivers pull into pedestrian crossings, and frequently cut off pedestrians and cyclists when turning. These drivers are moving at a speed that would be fatal to 90% of cyclists or pedestrians caught in their path. Cyclists aren’t immune from criticism either. They commonly fly down the sidewalks putting pedestrians in danger. The sidewalks along much of 12th Ave are cracked, lack proper markings and signage for pedestrians, and have inadequate curb cuts for people in wheelchairs or pushing strollers.
It’s a great thing that people are out on foot or on a bike, and the increased vitality in the area is a amazing for the neighborhood and Cedar Rapids. Now it’s time to make 12th Avenue work for the increasing number of pedestrians and cyclists who use it everyday.
