05-11-2007 Luecke announces first 11.4 miles of bicycle lanes

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Page 2. network does not include a second State of the City directive —to create in the same timeframe a paved Riverwalk along the entire course of the St. Joseph River in South Bend from Logan Street to Darden Road. Lanes being painted or routes designated with signs in 2007 will include: • Mishawaka Avenue—East from the city limits at Logan Street to Beyer Avenue (at the Farmer's Market). — 1.9 miles • Ford Street—West along Belleville Park on Meadow Lane from Lombardy Drive, south on Parkway Street to Dogwood Drive, northwest on Dogwood to Ford Street, north on Ford across Sample Street, east on Ford to Walnut Street. —3.4 miles • Twyckenham Drive— South from South Bend Avenue to Ridgedale Road. —3.7 miles • York Road—South from Twyckenham to Hilltop Drive, south on Hilltop to Hillsdale Road, west on Hillsdale to Springbrook Drive, south on Springbrook to Byron Drive, west on Byron to York Road, south on York to Jackson Road. —2.4 miles "This plan will provide a safer alternative for children, students and workers to use their bicycles to access their desired destinations, whether it is a park, school or their place of employment," said Judith Robert, chair of the Paint the Town ... With Bicycle Lanes Coalition. "As bicyclists begin to use these routes, they will find the grid an easy way to get across the city. Motorists will get used to the idea of seeing bicyclists on these routes, making it a safe and familiar system for all users. For visitors unfamiliar with the city, this grid will provide opportunities to access points of interest and get to know the city." Bike to Work Week, May 13-19, will feature special events on Thursday, May 17. A gathering on the gridiron at the College Football Hall of Fame will include bicycle inspections by mechanics, a drawing for a bicycle and other items, information about bicycle safety, live music and free drinks and snacks. At 5:30 p.m., the mayor will join cyclists in a public ride beginning and ending at the Hall of Fame. Significant stretches of Mishawaka and Twyckenham are anticipated to feature painted bicycle lanes in each direction, especially where the width of the road allows for two traffic lanes and curbside parking. City officials and bicycle-lane advocates have met to date with more than 15 neighborhood groups about the bicycle lanes and still plan other meetings with neighborhood residents and business groups along many sections of the proposed lanes. Several neighborhood groups already have written formal letters of endorsement. "We on the board of the North Shore Triangle Neighborhood Association enthusiastically support the work of the Coalition and highly encourage the City of South Bend to do all in its power to foster a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly urban environment,"wrote board members Cecilia Lucero and Richard Mah. "Research in other communities has also found that motorists slow down in areas that have designated bicycle routes. Adding bike lanes throughout South Bend would make our neighborhoods safer for children." The bicycle lanes are expected to have a traffic-calming effect, in which motorists reduce their speeds because they perceive a narrower road. Slower speeds improve public safety, and motorists begin to notice shops and other attractions. -more-