4 ms·

It strikes me as something of an "own goal" that the "green belt" in Boulder has had the effect of putting a lot of people in that area out of reach of public t

by davidw 9y ago

It strikes me as something of an "own goal" that the "green belt" in Boulder has had the effect of putting a lot of people in that area out of reach of public transportation or bicycling as viable transportation options, requiring more cars and parking and traffic and pollution. Instead of growing out a little bit (god forbid they build 'up' or 'in'), people just drive even further out.

blackguardx 9y ago
The green belt worked in Boulder's early days before many people commuted in. Unfortunately, Boulder's anti-growth mindset these last few decades has priced people out, forcing them to "jump the gap" in the green belt. I think the green belt is a really good thing for Boulder to prevent sprawl (and traffic), but it needs to be coupled with a pro-growth mindset. There are shifting attitudes in Boulder as NIMBYs get more competition from younger people like myself. I hope it isn't too late because at this point, Boulder is in danger of turning into Aspen or Santa Barbara.
- davidw 9y ago
  I get the reason for it and it makes sense to me - but the unintended consequences are causing problems. Oregon has a similar thing, the 'Urban Growth Boundary', but those expand over time so that cities can expand.
jdcarter 9y ago
Agreed, I gave up on bicycling when I moved outside the Boulder green belt. Boulder has a ton of cyclists but, for whatever reason, refuses to build proper bike lanes. The major roads in/out of Boulder barely have shoulders in places. California, by contrast, has proper bike lanes everywhere--seriously, even Central Expressway in the bay area is safer to bike on than any of the major roads going in/out of Boulder. I switched to a motorcycle as a result, and while it doesn't have the health benefits of bicycling, it's a good way to commute.
- blackguardx 9y ago
  It must depend on where in Boulder you live and work. From my perspective in South Boulder, there are many bike lanes and bike paths. I don't even have to touch asphalt to get to work.
  - saryant 9y ago
    I started bike commuting to Pearl today from south Boulder and I never have to go on a road.
    - davidw 9y ago
      Boulder's bike infrastructure is pretty good for the US. The week I spent there, I got around by bike with no problems. They've done a lot right there, it's the housing that's completely broken thanks to people like Mr. "No more jobs": https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/04/business/how-anti-growth-sentiment-reflected-in-zoning-laws-thwarts-equality.html?_r=0 https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/04/business/how-anti-growth-... Having grown up in a place with its share of economic hard times, and having lived in Italy for many years, the idea of "too many pesky jobs" is... absolutely mind boggling. Like something from another planet.
      - saryant 9y ago
        That man is a colossal moron, which is part of why I love that article's line about how he too is a transplant. "I'm here! Lock the doors!"

by davidw 9y ago

blackguardx 9y ago

The green belt worked in Boulder's early days before many people commuted in. Unfortunately, Boulder's anti-growth mindset these last few decades has priced people out, forcing them to "jump the gap" in the green belt. I think the green belt is a really good thing for Boulder to prevent sprawl (and traffic), but it needs to be coupled with a pro-growth mindset. There are shifting attitudes in Boulder as NIMBYs get more competition from younger people like myself. I hope it isn't too late because at this point, Boulder is in danger of turning into Aspen or Santa Barbara.

davidw 9y ago
I get the reason for it and it makes sense to me - but the unintended consequences are causing problems. Oregon has a similar thing, the 'Urban Growth Boundary', but those expand over time so that cities can expand.

jdcarter 9y ago

Agreed, I gave up on bicycling when I moved outside the Boulder green belt. Boulder has a ton of cyclists but, for whatever reason, refuses to build proper bike lanes. The major roads in/out of Boulder barely have shoulders in places. California, by contrast, has proper bike lanes everywhere--seriously, even Central Expressway in the bay area is safer to bike on than any of the major roads going in/out of Boulder. I switched to a motorcycle as a result, and while it doesn't have the health benefits of bicycling, it's a good way to commute.

blackguardx 9y ago
It must depend on where in Boulder you live and work. From my perspective in South Boulder, there are many bike lanes and bike paths. I don't even have to touch asphalt to get to work.
- saryant 9y ago
  I started bike commuting to Pearl today from south Boulder and I never have to go on a road.
  - davidw 9y ago
    Boulder's bike infrastructure is pretty good for the US. The week I spent there, I got around by bike with no problems. They've done a lot right there, it's the housing that's completely broken thanks to people like Mr. "No more jobs": https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/04/business/how-anti-growth-sentiment-reflected-in-zoning-laws-thwarts-equality.html?_r=0 https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/04/business/how-anti-growth-... Having grown up in a place with its share of economic hard times, and having lived in Italy for many years, the idea of "too many pesky jobs" is... absolutely mind boggling. Like something from another planet.
    - saryant 9y ago
      That man is a colossal moron, which is part of why I love that article's line about how he too is a transplant. "I'm here! Lock the doors!"