When using a neighborhood street, expect neighborhood traffic

Roads are an integral element of a neighborhood. Roads are what residents see when they leave their house. Roads are what residents use if they leave their house on foot, bicycle, scooter, or car. Residents come in all flavors: young, old, middle-aged, athletic, non-athletic, or mentally challenged. Neighborhood roads cannot fulfill their purpose if the non-car participants have to be in top-quality athletic shape just to participate. They should be equal opportunity.

Neighborhoods can’t be shortcuts, and shortcuts can’t be neighborhoods:

• Homewood streets are so too porous to main roads, which means they get used as short-cuts.
• Drivers choose to bring their hast to neighborhood streets instead of waiting at the stop lights.
• Policing cannot overcome infrastructure that encourages people to behave incorrectly.
• The only solution is for improved infrastructure.
• Due to the proximity, the only people who are responsible enough to choose the behavior of their streets are the residents of the street.

I was reminded of Homewood’s conundrum this morning. I’d just ridden with my son to school. The driver in the Alfa Romeo pictured below chose to buzz by me on my bicycle. I was doing about 20mph. The motorist brought their haste to the neighborhood — did about 35mph, buzzed a guy on a bicycle, and break-checked multiple stop signs.

Be safe out there — contact your council members.