Bike paths are also something that La Gonave should embrace.
I have been writing a bit about transit and moving people around. When I started this blog I wrote about the need of improving transit and trains were one of the ways.
While I still believe in trains for moving people and goods, the amount of investment needed is something that the island simply can't afford. Building a highway network is also something that the island can't afford, nor has the financial ability to do. On top of that, the logistics are not there.
Limited basic roads in the city of Anse-a-Galets is important as it will move people and goods through the city, stimulate growth, and allow for tourism. Building a small mini bus system is key as well, so that people can go throughout the city, which will eliminate the need for more vehicles on the current small dirt roads, on the island. The last thing La Gonave would need is a massive amount of vehicles.
Given that the island is a blank canvas of sorts, the island can build small transit projects now. With some tax measures the mini bus system can be built. Even the airstrip can be improved with taxes that are designed to build this. What about people who live just outside of Anse-a-Galets? Why not bike lanes?
Sure people get around on ATV's, 4-wheelers, motorbikes, and dirt bikes. Not only are they using rough dirt and rocky roads, they are not able to usually get around easily. Also the cost of fuel is yet another cost that comes with it. Sure many use these vehicles to taxi passengers around. That is fine, but what about having a system that allows people to use human power (bicycles) to move around. In Amsterdam, the use of bicycles is higher than cars as the government makes fuel prices around $8.50 US, high parking fees, limited parking, and numerous tax levies on cars. This is then turned around to build up the rail system to move a greater number of people. Large highways do exists and are outside of the city. Rail does carry people from the surburbs into Amsterdam, but most will use their bikes to get to the station.
All in all, it is cheaper for the folks in Amsterdam to not own a car, and it is cheaper for the government as they don't have to import as much fuel or deal with health issues associated with inactivity of its citizens.
This artists rendering shows how a street typically looks in Amsterdam. You have a 5 - 6 foot wide path, with cars parked on either one or both sides of the street, and usually one lane for cars going one way, or a two lane bi-directional lane for cars.
Think about it. Connecting places in the mountain using a simple bike path is easier to do vs building a road. A bike path such as this can be built very quickly and given that it is just 5 ft wide, and about 2 in. thick, it allows remote villages a better access of either connecting to a mini bus station outside of Anse-a-Galets, or they could even bicycle into the city.
What are your thoughts? Should bicycle paths be built to save the city money, and build up the local infrastructure of the island? Plans to fund bicycles and residents buying bicycles is much more affordable than a motorbike or a car. Thoughts?
Go Gonave!
While I still believe in trains for moving people and goods, the amount of investment needed is something that the island simply can't afford. Building a highway network is also something that the island can't afford, nor has the financial ability to do. On top of that, the logistics are not there.
Limited basic roads in the city of Anse-a-Galets is important as it will move people and goods through the city, stimulate growth, and allow for tourism. Building a small mini bus system is key as well, so that people can go throughout the city, which will eliminate the need for more vehicles on the current small dirt roads, on the island. The last thing La Gonave would need is a massive amount of vehicles.
Given that the island is a blank canvas of sorts, the island can build small transit projects now. With some tax measures the mini bus system can be built. Even the airstrip can be improved with taxes that are designed to build this. What about people who live just outside of Anse-a-Galets? Why not bike lanes?
Sure people get around on ATV's, 4-wheelers, motorbikes, and dirt bikes. Not only are they using rough dirt and rocky roads, they are not able to usually get around easily. Also the cost of fuel is yet another cost that comes with it. Sure many use these vehicles to taxi passengers around. That is fine, but what about having a system that allows people to use human power (bicycles) to move around. In Amsterdam, the use of bicycles is higher than cars as the government makes fuel prices around $8.50 US, high parking fees, limited parking, and numerous tax levies on cars. This is then turned around to build up the rail system to move a greater number of people. Large highways do exists and are outside of the city. Rail does carry people from the surburbs into Amsterdam, but most will use their bikes to get to the station.
All in all, it is cheaper for the folks in Amsterdam to not own a car, and it is cheaper for the government as they don't have to import as much fuel or deal with health issues associated with inactivity of its citizens.
Think about it. Connecting places in the mountain using a simple bike path is easier to do vs building a road. A bike path such as this can be built very quickly and given that it is just 5 ft wide, and about 2 in. thick, it allows remote villages a better access of either connecting to a mini bus station outside of Anse-a-Galets, or they could even bicycle into the city.
What are your thoughts? Should bicycle paths be built to save the city money, and build up the local infrastructure of the island? Plans to fund bicycles and residents buying bicycles is much more affordable than a motorbike or a car. Thoughts?
Go Gonave!
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