benfulton

Bloomington Announces Ambitious New Transit Plan: The Monorail

"The sleek, single-rail system promises to reduce congestion, cut commute times, and introduce a futuristic flair to Bloomington’s skyline. Proposed features include onboard announcements narrated by a holographic Hoagy Carmichael and complimentary B-Line binoculars for riders to enjoy breathtaking views of limestone rooftops and urban deer."

https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2025/04/01/6206

@bloomington_in

#AprilFoolsDay

Storms coming through Bloomington

Tornado warning on the south side, but we've got a nice little thunderstorm up north as well. Power is out.

@bloomington_in

Bloomington Transit survey

$5 on your Umo account if you participate. Whatever Umo may be. Not for people who ride free on an IU pass.

go.iu.edu/btransit

@bloomington_in

#PublicTransport

Lil NIMBYism going on in Monroe County. You can always tell when they start talking about preserving the character.

"Change the zoning of couple hundred parcels from High Development Residential (HD) to Residential 1 (RES), which is a downzoning...most of the homes use septic systems and currently do not have access to sewer, the presence of karst/sinkholes in the area, and to preserve the overall character of the area."

https://bsquarebulletin.com/march-17-2025-theater-preview-annexation-update-zoning-galore-a-dandy-dog/

@bloomington_in

#UrbanPlanning #NIMBY

New data shows most dangerous streets in Monroe County, Indiana

"There have been 250 pedestrian-vehicle collisions in the reported years, 81 of which have caused serious injury. The most dangerous streets for pedestrians in Monroe County are in downtown Bloomington and Indiana University’s campus."

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/new-data-shows-most-dangerous-streets-in-monroe-county.php

@bloomington_in

#walking

Bloomington 10th Street Safety Improvement survey

The city is considering improvements to 10th Street between Indiana and Walnut. It's a high-speed yet narrow corridor that goes between the north side of Indiana University and downtown, and I'm not sure what you could really do with it without removing at least one car lane. Still, fill out the survey here!

https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/10th

@bloomington_in

#cycling #PublicTransport #UrbanPlanning

Mystery solved: ghost bike on Ind. 45 damaged by snowplow, then recycled

"A bicycle memorial marking the site where (Michael Brooks) died after a van struck the bike he was riding nearly six years ago will return with the arrival of spring.

In January, motorists on Ind. 45 near Unionville noticed that a white bike which had long been attached to the street sign at the intersection with North Russell Road was gone."

https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2025/03/05/what-happened-to-michael-brooks-ghost-bike-memorial-on-russell-road/81165125007/

@bloomington_in

#cycling

Bloomington 7-Line to be ruined by stop signs

"Some cyclists had complained the stop signs would require them to stop at nearly every cross street, which would impede their momentum both up- and downhill. However, some bicyclists also said they were stopping at nearly every cross street anyway, because they always had to worry about inattentive and/or confused motorists failing to yield."

https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2025/03/03/city-of-bloomington-to-reinstall-stop-signs-on-7th-street-bike-lane/80734844007/

@bloomington_in

#bikelanes

"I never thought leopards would eat MY face!" sobs Ellettsville Town Council.

“These other places that are sitting there saying it’s impossible and the sky’s falling, well, the laws are directed towards people like that, not us,” Ellis said.

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/ellettsville-leaders-welcome-opportunity-to-prove-the-town-is-financial-responsible.php

@bloomington_in

#Ellettsville #INLegis

City of Bloomington Launches E-Bike Voucher Program to Expand Sustainable Transportation

The City of Bloomington's Pilot e-Bike Voucher Program provides point-of-purchase e-bike vouchers for of up to $2,000 for qualified low-income residents that can be used towards the purchase of an e-bike at the following local bike shops; Bicycle Garage, Bloomington Bicycles, and Revolution Bike and Bean.

https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2025/02/07/6170

@bloomington_in

#ebikes

Bloomington council votes to establish Transportation Commission

"The new, nine-person commission will replace the Traffic, Bicycle Pedestrian Safety, and Parking commissions. It will review all transportation-related projects, make recommendations and propose policy changes."

I have my doubts about this, but since the only "No" votes were from Cms Ruff and Rollo, who represent Bloomington's "old white dude" constituency, I think it might work out.

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/city-council-votes-to-establish-transportation-commission.php

@bloomington_in

Reporter Joe Hren asks: Convention leaders pushing expansion along, but where's the parking?

Easy-Peasy! Provide a great pedestrian area, lots of buses and bike-shares, and we're in like Flynn! Who needs parking?

"Architects presented updated renderings and floor plans at a recent CIB meeting. The refinements help get the project within budget...The expansion amounts to about 61,000 square feet"

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/convention-leaders-pushing-expansion-along-but-wheres-the-parking.php

@bloomington_in

#CarsRuinEverything