Biking seems to be a growing way of life for many people. I have read a lot about several different organizations promoting bikes as a great form of transportation. And yes, I began reading about some of these places well before we hit $4 per gallon. A while back, my friend Sam wrote about the guys at "Zero Per Gallon" and I thought the site was pretty interesting. Sam has a great project in the works for Phoenix called Phoenix Copper Bikes. Be sure to check it out, I promise to do some follow up as more info becomes available. Who knows, maybe we can get Sam to write about it here one day. (hint hint)

During the planning stages, a lot of thought and discussion went in to making the light rail stops easily accessible to pedestrians. New trails, paths, easy access to some areas etc. were added or at least proposed. In the future, I am sure we will hear much more on that topic.

 In today's AZ Republic, there is an article titled "Bike map for region unveils access to light-rail service" which has some pretty good info for people that will be biking to light rail. Of course, the on-line version won't provide you with a link to the regional bike map, Heaven forbid someone clicks off of their precious site. However you decide to get to the light rail stops, come December, we are sure you are in for one heck of a ride..

Recently, we talked about the public involvement meetings for the Northwest Extension. Soon, there be two more public meetings in Tempe to discuss the "Tempe South Study" where we will have an opportunity to learn more about future routes and transit modes to connect South Tempe and parts of Chandler to the upcoming 20 mile Light Rail "starter line." We have heard of a few different possibilities for the area that is bounded on the North and South by the 202 Freeways (Red Mountain and San Tan) and from the 101 Freeway on the East to the Union Pacific railroad tracks to the West. Studies have mentioned bus, rapid transit, light rail transit, modern streetcar and/or commuter rail. Some of the challenges have been the East/West running railroad tracks and having a light rail line cross them. (could be a disaster waiting to happen?) Others have been the fact that Mill kind of "dead-ends" at Baseline and would need to shift over to Kyrene. (again crossing the railroad tracks in that area) There has also been a mention of the lack of room along Rural to run mass transportation down that road. McClintock appears to have some promise but all have their own little quirks that will (hopefully) be discussed in more detail at these next meetings. To make sense of my poor explanation, check out this map..

Tempe has seen the growth of it's public transportation quadruple in the past decade. With the added convenience of Light rail running through the North part of the city, it would appear the growth in public transportation will continue. The existing bus lines will feed nicely in to the rail stops and there have been talks of creating more pedestrian and bicycle friendly paths near the light rail lines.

We will try to post a re-cap of information from the meetings but please feel free to come and participate. The schedules are as follows.

Tuesday, June 10, 6 – 8 p.m.
Tempe Public Library
3500 S. Rural Rd., Tempe

Wednesday, June 11, 6 – 8 p.m.
Corona del Sol High School
1001 E. Knox Rd., Tempe

If you have any questions or comments for Metro concernig this stuff, they can be directed to pcecere@metrolightrail.org. Or, feel free to leave a comment here on the blog. If we don't know the answer, we will be glad to look in to it for you and maybe even do a follow up article.

Light Rail fans might want to make sure and take a look at the upcoming, May 16 issue of the Phoenix Business Journal. They will be doing a feature called "Block by Block by Light Rail" which sounds pretty darn cool.. Our friend Karen sent us this brief description of what to expect..

"The Phoenix Business Journal has a 20-page pullout, Block by Block by Light Rail, coming out May 16. The section focuses on businesses and neighborhoods near light rail stops. There's a feature on transit oriented development (TODs), Apache Boulevard and coverage of businesses that have actually survived construction hassles. The Business Journal also spoke to a number of those in the Phoenix business community about if they think light rail will change the city. The section also includes a list of landmarks near light rail that will be undergoing renovation, a light map, and a time line on the history of Phoenix commuter rail."

Stay tuned.. By the end of the summer, Rail Life will begin to roll out our community pages, hotel pages, shopping pages, sports pages etc., complete with searchable mapping capabilities, line section information, park and ride information and all kinds of really cool "stuff" for you to enjoy. Stick around Phoenix... "Your Life Is On The Line!"

Two briefings for area residents and business owners are scheduled this week to discuss the progress of light rail's Northwest extension. The Northwest Extension is the first extension of the light trail starter line which stretches from 19th Avenue and Montebello to Dunlap Avenue. This section includes three light rail stations, one park and ride facility and will connect with bus services at Bethany Home Road, Glendale Avenue, Northern Avenue and Dunlap Avenue. The park-n-ride and transit center is planned for the 19th Avenue and Dunlap Avenue station and designed to accommodate 1000 parking spaces.

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Washington Activity Center - Auditorium
2240 W. Citrus Way, Phoenix

Thursday, May 15th, 2008
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Orangewood Elementary School Cafeteria
7337 N. 19th Avenue, Phoenix