BVC-CHAT Bike Lanes Woo Hoo!

[Jean Marie Linhart]

A co-worker and I spoke about bike transportation to the Planning and
Zoning meeting last night where the Eastside Transportation plan was
under discussion.  Skip Ferguson (a few of you have met Skip) was also
in attendance.

I think this was a very productive meeting.  After we spoke about the
need for bicycle transportation in that area, there was a lot of
discussion among the commissioners about bike lanes and travel.   That
alone was good to hear!  Two roads not currently on the bicycle master
plan (BMP), and previously not planned to have bike lanes were
recommended for bike lanes in the proposal to be sent to city council
-- this will improve connectivity in the area, though there is still a
lot of non-connecting roadways that go on and off that feeder road.

One thing that alarmed me a little -- there is talk about an off-road
trail system in the area.  When they talk about it they talk about it
as an alternative to on-street bike facilities.  We need to nip that
idea in the bud.  An off-road trail is good, but it is ADDITIONAL, not
INSTEAD OF, on street bicycling.  Otherwise we get into a situation
where you can ride your bike to ride your bike but not to actually
*go* anywhere -- not a problem if your main goal is
training/recreation, but a big problem for commuters and
errand-runners.

We still need to get the city to update that BMP and to keep on the
engineers actually doing the work -- so please, put the Dec 13 City
Council meeting on your schedule.  I'm also going to be advocating
that all roads above the level of minor collector should automatically
be planned with bicycle accommodations unless someone can make an
argument for otherwise.  This was done recently by CAMPO (Capital Area
Metropolitan Planning Organization) in the Austin area.

I have my first Council Transportation Committee (CTC) next Tuesday.
I have a lot of "homework" to read between now and then -- wish me
luck.

Jean Marie