Michael Ronkin - Designing Streets for Pedestrians & Bicyclists

	Designing Streets for Pedestrians & Bicyclists
	Training Courses (Download as a Microsoft Word document)

Here is an overview of the courses I offer, and recommendations for a successful outcome.

I. Training Course Overview

Outline of training workshops · 3-day Pedestrian and Bicycle design (2 days pedestrian, 1 day bicycle). · 2-day Pedestrian and Bicycle design (1 1/3 days pedestrian, 2/3 day bicycle). · 2-day pedestrian design only. · 1-day pedestrian design only. · 1-day bicycle design only.

Content: The focus is on street designs that better accommodate these two modes. The shorter courses provide enough detail so participants can substantially improve their understanding and skills. The longer courses provide engineers and planners with greater breadth & depth of knowledge. Please refer to the sample course agendas (for Pedestrians and Bicycles) for more detail. I will leave you with a CDROM of the course that can be copied and distributed to participants.

Customization: The courses can be enhanced & customized to fit the needs of your community. I can arrive early and tour your community and take photos of problem streets or intersections. The tour should be guided by local staff who are aware of the problems. Then there are several options: With the help of engineering plans or diagrams, participants solve these problems in class. They see how the theoretical solutions are applicable locally. A special evening presentation is organized to which the public and elected officials are invited. The evening is divided into three parts: A short overview of the planning & design issues that staff is learning about; An overview of the local issues & concerns, with some PhotoShop manipulated images to show how your streets would look with some changes; An open discussion in which participants are invited to ask questions and offer solutions for your community. A written report detailing the findings can be provided. It will include an analysis of the problem areas with recommendations for solutions.

One or two instructors? All courses can be taught by me alone, but another instructor can be brought in for a richer experience for attendees. I have taught many courses with Michael Moule, PE, the President of Livable Streets, Inc. Attendees learn more with two instructors; the attendees’ experience is enhanced with two perspectives, more case studies from real life experience and more insight into the course material. It is especially beneficial to have two instructors during field trips and interactive workshops. In addition, a slightly larger group can be managed effectively.

Course Fees: $2000/day per day of instruction for one instructor; $3500/day of instruction for two instructors; An additional $1000 per instructor for the local focus options 1 & 2; A negotiated fee for photo manipulations based on complexity; A negotiated fee for a report, based on length; Travel expenses and lodging

Experience: Please review the sample course agendas (for Pedestrians and Bicycles) and my resume. You will find that I have ample experience in both running an effective pedestrian and bicycle program and offering this training nationwide. My collaboration with planners, engineers, designers, project managers and field personnel gives me a unique perspective. I have credibility with professionals who see I come from the trenches, as I’ve had to work through most of the problems this workshop will address.

II. Tips for a successful workshop 1. Advertising the course: The usual venues are printing & distributing brochures, posting the event on a website; email, or working through a local university, T2 center or LTAP. For a public open forum, use the media to your advantage – this is a community event that can invigorate the public. 2. Target audience: Invite as wide a range of participants as possible: engineers, designers, landscape architects planners and policy makers from the state DOT, local jurisdictions and consulting firms. Local activists, elected officials and other interested citizens are welcome. 3. Finding a suitable location: I recommend a fairly urban location, as one of the most valuable portions of the pedestrian workshop is a walking tour: participants experience problems first hand. The room should be large enough to accommodate the anticipated number of participants comfortably, but not so large it appears empty if there are too many empty seats. The best room setup is rows of narrow tables with chairs in a herringbone pattern: tables are slightly angled towards a center aisle, facing the screen. This makes it easier for participants to face each other during discussions. For a graphic with an example of a suggested room setup, click HERE (if your browser blocks pop-ups, click here). 4. A/V equipment: A large (at least 8’ wide) screen; A high-quality, recent model digital projector. Older projectors are usually not up to par for sharpness, quality of colors and brightness. A cordless, lapel microphone for a room that seats more than 40 people 5. Beverages, snacks and meals: Since the course is fairly long and intensive, it is best to take frequent short breaks. Having coffee, juices and light snacks available throughout the morning is best, rather than having them brought in at preset times. Healthy choices such as fruits and vegetables should be available too. A catered lunch cuts the lunch break down to less than an hour, leaving more time for instruction and discussion.

sample image here