While Mother Nature is finally assisting with snow melt on local active transportation facilities, common snow clearing practices on local roadways can present challenges. It is common, in large part due to proximity to the roadway, if not specific policy, for active transportation facilities to be used as de facto snow storage during snow clearing operations. This is issue is particularly pronounced at intersections where snow is often piled on curb ramps or other facilities. These large piles of snow and ice are obstacles to safe passage for weeks after the snow event.
Even with the assist from Mother Nature many of these large mounds of snow will take weeks to melt, and it is unlikely that local, state, or private entities will prioritize their removal. Despite the need for larger policy discussions, immediate action is needed in clearing snow from the local active transportation infrastructure. While not ideal, a bit of YIMBYism (yes in my back yard) may be effective in this effort? Employing this concept, which is the opposite of NIMBYism (not in my back yard), simply select a local active transportation facility that needs to be cleared and have at it!
In this spirit, adventuECO Cycling staff recently cleared a path through a large mound of snow and ice blocking the shared use path along Seminole Trail (US 29) in Albemarle County (more than three weeks after the snow event). This is only one of many local facilities in need of a bit of love, so get your YIMBY on at an active transportation facility near you!
adventureECO Cycling 