09-17-08 South Bend unveils comprehensive bicycle network

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Office of the Mayor NEWS RELEASE September 17, 2008 10 a.m. South Bend unveils comprehensive bicycle network Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876- 1564, Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, 235-9251, or Chris Dressel, Community Planner, 235-9660 Expanding on Mayor Stephen J. Luecke’s commitment to develop a 50-mile network of bicycle routes in five years, the City of South Bend has unveiled a map showing a proposed bicycle network of more than 88 miles. “This map will serve as a long-term planning tool for my administration as it continues to add a minimum of 10 new miles of bicycle routes each year,” Luecke said. “It will also show the entire community our vision for a comprehensive network that provides safe routes for bicyclists to reach every segment of South Bend.” Now in the second year of implementation, the emerging network is expected to have 32.8 miles completed by the end of this year (24.5 miles since the mayor’s 2007 State of the City 50-mile pledge). The proposed new routes will feature a yet-to-be determined combination of: ?Bicycle lanes – Painted five-foot-wide lanes on each side of the road between traffic and parking lanes. (Example: Mishawaka Avenue) ?Multipurpose paths – Off-road, paved pathways limited to bicycles and pedestrian traffic. (Example: Riverside Trail, Portage Avenue) ?Designated routes – Streets marked by “Share the Road” signs that are recommended for bicycle and vehicular traffic. (Example: Ford Street) The network map is now available on the City’s web site at www.SouthBendIN.gov/bike It shows already completed routes, proposed routes to be added by the city by the end of 2011 and beyond as well as adjoining bicycle routes outside the city limits. Of the more than 106 miles on the map, more than 34 miles will be in place by the end of 2008. In creating the proposed network, city officials identified routes that provide safe access