Fresno Famous

Moving toward a different way of thinking

Every city has its own geographic disadvantages - and often there is little we can do to change them. However, as citizens we can do what we can to play our part to help the environment. As Portland movers, we don't see as many people looking to leave the area, suggesting that there must be some appeal to living there.

Are you kidding? Fresno

Are you kidding? Fresno will never be anything that the suckass cowpoke town that it is.

Can BikeLanes Coexist with Historic Homes?

This may sound like a "not in my FRONT yard" statement, BUT, remember that houses built before the advent of the automobile did not have garages or driveways-a few had carriage houses and barns, but most of the historic houses in the downtown area do not have a driveway or garage for a car, and the STREET is the only place to safely park-especially overnight. If bikelanes are installed (a great, green idea) there must be some consideration for Fresno's urban pioneers who have moved downtown and live in historic homes-with NO garages.Can a bike lane, a historic house, and an urban dweller's car (since there aren't many jobs downtown yet-gotta have the car to get to work)-coexist peacefully? Do we have to sacrifice one to have the other? By the way, why doesn't Fresno have a transit system to get to the airport--since it seems that FYI is running out of parking with more and more airlines and flights? Like "Primetime" or other airport shuttles? Is there bike parking at FYI? Are cabs the only option? Any bright entrepreneurs out there who could get some cars off the road to the airport? For Fresno to truly reach it's full creative potential, it's going to take some NEW voices with some NEW ideas for the old problems of transportation, downtown jumpstarts and preserving our authenticity.

FRESCAN

Kudos to Grand Design Photag! It's great to hear from somebody whom gets what Portland is about and still chooses Fresno. I'm glad to be in Frescan too!

PORTLAND HAS REACHED ITS PEAK; FRESNO HAS JUST BEGUN TO REACH THE FOOTHILLS.

Yo Joe! Those Canal Trail's are working their way to a reality. I just hope it actually gets done and they can incorporate some of the canal for water features and not just pipe the whole thing.

Also, Antimusik brings up a great point. There needs to be bike-racks everywhere. That's ridiculous that there isn't one at the Courthouse! We must get the city to pass an ordinance that every shopping center (and public business in general), must provide plenty of bike-racks. Given our air problems, Fresno needs to be a leader in little things like that.

places to lock up bikes

I almost served on a Jury this week, and I thought If I was going to do this for 2 or 3 months like they told us it would take, that I'd Bike to the Court house, but in the Jury information hand out it listed all the Parking Lots for Cars but it did not show were to lock up your bicycle, and the bikes I did see at the County Court house were locked against the walk way railing, If they do have bike racks and I did ask were their were but I never found them even after I got the response they are out there. I'd want some security watching the bikes, I mean with most bicycle have quick release adjustable seatposts and wheels that it makes it a worry about having your saddle and seatpost stolen, and wheels messed with.

I've really enjoyed all the local group rides that have been going on... but if I had to go to one place and stop for some time, I'd be worrying about my bike, so if they really want biking in Fresno to take off their needs to be better public places to lock up your bike.

At the Court house I'd like to see a bike rack that had a few cameras watching and recording the area for bike thieves, and because of all the Sheriff Deputies in the area that they would be on top of it to stop the crime ... but then I see the graffiti in the areas near by and I figure your bike would be messed with if it was locked up and you were serving on a Jury from 9 am - 4 pm with an hour break.

better places to lock up bikes is what I feel is needed, besides a rule like ride a bike, keep right and stop at the light, and always be looking left and right.

Re: Fresno as "Trail City"

What if Fresno became known not so much for bicycles - but for the trails themselves? I know there's right of way and huge liability issues, but the canal system could make such a trail system possible, I suppose, at least in theory.

Fresno not Portland

From someone who has spent maybe too much time in the City of Roses, I appreciated the Fresno-Portland comparison... I'll take dining al-fresco in Fresno's sun, bike-friendly flatness and quick commute ANYWHERE around our town instead cool, rainy Portland's rapidly filling city.

Portland IS beautiful-- you can see two or three volcanic peaks from the hills, eclectic architecture and vivacious music scene all around their downtown...

But Fresno is headed in a direction. That's what matters. It's not standing still or regressing, really. The cancer that existed (still exists here and there) downtown is being exorcised slowly but obviously by people who care and are open to the idea that things can be rebuilt, redesigned and rehabilitated. I'm glad to work among those people.

I'm glad to be here and not Portland. It's a nice place to visit, though.

Making Fresno bike-friendly

I think making Fresno Bicycle Town is an excellent idea. New developments and their roads are required to have bike lanes; the big public expense comes from putting in bike lanes in older neighborhoods.

Cyclists can always ride in the middle of the road if there's no bike lane or room available (and they're brave).

green transport for everyone

Ehh. speaking from the acronym that the FAA has allocated to Fresno, it isn't realistic that a great majority of Fresnans would consider cycling, even though cycling is a greater exercise regiment than the couch and a tv remote. You can, however, put an air conditioning system into a small electric car. Fresno is an ideal community (flat) which could lend itself as the lead for the Nation as the small electric car capital.

Please don't read this as me being negative against cycling, I'm suggesting something for the widers (rhymes with riders).

Where are the entrepreneurs that would like to discuss how to accomplish this? If there are any enthusiastic entrepreneurs reading this, please email me; there is a way to get small electric cars to serve as a mobility option: jps@centraltransit.com