People for Transportation Options (PTO)
Meeting Summary (draft)
July 26, 2006, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, Allen Neighborhood Center.
Andy Kilpatrick, LeRoy Harvey, Matt Penniman, Janine Sinno, Joan Nelson, Tori Strebe, Dori Pynnonen, Jen Hoffman, Ken Szymusiak, Mary Flores, Cathleen Edgerly, Lyndon Babcock, Sanjay Bisht, John Lindenmayer, Nancy Krupiarz, Jessica Yorko, Julia Herzog,
Those present participated in a focus group coordinated by Dori Pynnonen and others from MSU. Findings from this and other focus groups will be used to update the master plan of the Ingham County Parks Department.
Transportation-related suggestions from PTO included public transportation to and from parks, and pedestrian and bicycle routes between parks.
Mary Flores, Immigrant and Refugee Resource Collaborative, summarized transportation needs/problems of refugees. Examples included early-morning bus service and CATA information in foreign languages. Mary also mentioned a "no wrong door" approach that service agencies attempt when serving refugees. This reduces the chance that folks will get lost in the maze.
It was noted that some refugees and other immigrants rely on bicycles for transportation, but use bicycles in manners causing risks to themselves and to others.
The need for urban bicycle training extends beyond refugees, for both adults and for children. A need for training the bicycle trainers was identified.
Joan Nelson opined that it would be appropriate for the Allen Neighborhood Center to get involved with bicycle education.
John Waterman of PEAC (Program to Educate All Cyclists) was suggested as an educational consultant. Someone agreed to investigate costs of his services.??
Several participants expressed interest in the “Safe routes to school” program. What is interest/involvement in the Lansing School District? Rennie Araoz was suggested as an approachable LSD administrator. Joan Nelson volunteered to contact him.
Suggestions for improving the brochure were made. Please send comments to Janine at jsinno@ingham.org
Bicycle parking at ANC was deemed inadequate. It was noted that bicycle parking was even more inadequate elsewhere in Lansing.
Discarded bicycle racks from MSU are available free. Lyndon B noted that there are other alternatives. He will have additional information on racks at the next PTO meeting.
August 19: Hunter Park Path Dedication and Music Fest at 3:45 pm.
August 28: Southside Community Showcase. 12-5 pm. Benjamin Davis Park
November 13: Designing Healthy Communities Conference
November 14: Safe Routes to School Training
August 30 (Wednesday) from 10-noon at Allen Neighborhood Center.