The city has been calling our bike network "All Ages and Abilities" since 2017, but hasn't done a demographic count since 2014, and we hasn't counted kids since 2010.
I've lived here & followed cycling infrastructure since 2015. But my answer is still just IMO. I think there were aspirations for "AAA" once. But now they THINK they are following the guidelines that make it "AAA" but they are ultimately too unwilling to take space from cars to make it truly so.
I honestly don't think they think they're following the guidelines that make it "AAA". I think most of them don't care, and some of them are actively hostile and wish we'd never made that commitment in the first place.
They will tell you they are following NACTO standards for AAA. The PMP who spoke yesterday at TSC said so. Do they really believe it? I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the staff don't actually understand what it means though, because they don't use the bikeways or adequately engage folks who do.
I suppose more morally shocking than actual surprise. The more I learn about the basic negligence at the heart of our transport planning for the last few decades the more I try to inculcate myself against pessimism. If we just assume and accept the worst it never gets better.
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