Did you drive here? Why that choice was made for you. | Erin Hafkenschiel | TEDxVanderbiltUniversity

Learn how to use Nashville, TN as an example to explore past infrastructure decisions and how they have impacted our lack of transportation choices today in cities across the country. If these decisions were made for us by others in the past, then we can start making different decisions for the future. Decisions that give us safer streets, more transportation choices, and more equitable cities.

Erin Hafkenschiel is the President of ThinkTennessee, where she leads a powerhouse team working to build a state where all Tennesseans are civically engaged and economically secure. Erin has spent her career in public policy, including roles in higher education, municipal government, and philanthropy. Most recently, she was the Executive Director for Mobility and Transportation at Vanderbilt University. Prior to that, she served as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Sustainability for Nashville Mayors David Briley and Megan Barry. Erin also has significant experience in philanthropy and consulting through her work with CEA Consulting, the Bay Area Council, and the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Infrastructure Systems at Vanderbilt University.

A U.S. Fulbright Scholar to China, Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy of Industrialized Societies from UC Berkeley and a Masters in Public Policy and Urban Planning from Harvard University.

[kellygoldsmith]

I saw this talk live and loved it then as much as I love it now. It is so wonderful to have an expert like Erin Hafkenshiel sharing her perspective on such an important topic!

[KS-ixcd]

This is a very important message that we all need to hear!

I recommend the YouTube channel Not Just bikes he seriously goes above and beyond to explain this concept very well. I highly recommend giving it a watch if this video interests you.

[bukurie]

Thank you for your talk!Everyone likes that every things to be with standarts and spent to be transparent till in details!👍

[LucienLew]

I totally agree. We need to reclaim our streets, redesign them to be safer and more inclusive, with the changes and improvements paid for by the taxes of the highest earning corporate companies in each city.

[dylanmurphy]

I lived across the street from a supermarket but I had to walk through this giant parking lot to get inside. People were shocked that I would travel on foot to purchase a bag of groceries even when the weather was nice.

[brittney]

I’d love to take advantage of a dedicated bike/walking lane. I don’t feel safe biking on our busy roads.

[Pastamistic]

Very well said! I live only one and a half miles from two grocery stores. I do bike to them but it's very unsafe and I wouldn't expect anyone else to do the same aside from experienced cyclists. It's terrible when you need to risk your life just to get groceries and that goes for whether I'm driving there or riding a bicycle but the threat is other cars and drivers in either case.

[Cobaltblueprism]

As someone who’s unable to drive and relies on public transport, I could not agree more. Improving and expanding public transport options is key to accessibility and equity.

[ddpwe]

Funny, here in Toronto Canada, rich areas are less likely to have sidewalks, because they don't want the plebs walking through their neighbourhood. Everywhere else, sidewalks, unless you're out in the boonies

[yvonne]

Planning where I live is always cars first, there is good public transport, but when going shopping in a complex it is obvious when walking that the car is king. This wasn't so bad when walking was easy but now with walking difficulties it's very annoying that the route between bus stop and store opening is woven this way and that way to accommodate cars. It would be good if planners put in direct walking route first and cars next. Often you will see big supermarket and a huge carpark which you have to walk through to get to front door, if the supermarket were at the front and car park were at the back then both public transport and private transport users would be accommodated.

[pejomi]

In areas, where no sidewalks, and obviously should be, jus walk on the side of the street. There are laws for car drivers to see, look and be careful.
If you get hit by a car? .. this is where your talk was about. Thanks Hafkenschiel.

[dougwedel]

I advocate for cycling and safer streets. I hear 3 things.
The pandemic encourages people to ride a bicycle.
Global warming encourages people to ride bicycles.
The higher price of fuel makes people want to bike.

This may be true, to some extent, but they are also reasons to not push hard for safer streets and more bicycling. It will just happen naturally and we don't need to do much or anything at all. But we forget how hard the car industry worked to promote their mode over others.

Global warming and higher gas prices are also reasons to buy an electric powered car. That transition to e is happening now and will last maybe a decade, maybe a bit longer than that. Despite the good that will do for air quality and eliminating oil spills, etc, it does nothing to prevent illnesses from inactivity, doesn't promote friendlier streets, as happens when many ride bicycles, and despite the promise of self driving cars, does little to reduce and eliminate traffic fatalities. But riding bicycles and building good quality bike lanes (no, not all bike lanes are equal) does do all that.

[DougGrinbergs]

7:32 check out Strong Towns, learn about "stroads" (street/roads). Also, recommended YT channels: Not Just Bikes and The War on Cars...

[scottnyc]

The issue is those making these decisions get around with their private jets and chauffeured limos.

[DougGrinbergs]

Standard pitch: VisionZero: all modes, all ages, all abilities, no excuses. Why we need to speak at planning commission and city council meetings - and not just when a major project decision is on the agenda.

[Dray.TheChosen]

The present is short, the future is doubtful, the past is certain.🙏🏽💙💫

[FormigaFit]

I have a hard time with bike paths that are safe. I try not to drive but it's nearly impossible especially in the small towns.

[YoMateo.]

Whoever's reading this, i pray that whatever you're going through gets better and whatever you're struggling with or worrying about is going to be fine and that everyone has a fantastic day! Amen

[bt]

75% Indians uses public transportation 👍🏻