05-08-09 Luecke announces 2009 additions to bicycle network

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? Falcon Street – Washington Street to Ford Street, 0.5 miles, striped lane/signed route ? Lafayette Boulevard – South Street to Indiana Avenue, 0.8 miles, striped lane/signed route ? Notre Dame Avenue – South Bend Avenue to Angela Boulevard, TBD ? Portage Avenue – Lathrop Street to Woodlawn Boulevard, 0.5 miles, TBD ? Ridgedale Road – High Street to Hilltop Drive, 1.0 miles, signed route* ? South Street – United Drive/Taylor Street to Lafayette Boulevard, 0.3 miles, signed route ? Summit Drive – Washington Street to Ford Street, 0.5 miles, striped lane/signed route ? Twyckenham Drive – Angela Boulevard to South Bend Avenue. 0.1 miles, separated path* ? United Drive – Chapin Street to South/Taylor streets, 0.2 miles, striped lane/signed route ? Woodlawn Boulevard – Portage Avenue to Riverside Trail, 0.5 miles, signed route* ? York Road – Jackson Road to Kern Road, 0.9 miles, signed route* * Notes bike route already completed For its planning, including the Bicycle Friendly Community designation, the City of South Bend is working with the Bike Michiana Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group formed in 2008 to represent regional bike interests. The League of American Bicyclists reviews applications and grants a four-year designation based on four levels – platinum, gold, silver or bronze. If recognized, South Bend would be the first northern Indiana city so designated. Bloomington and Carmel have received bronze status. “We are very pleased with the partnership Bike Michiana Coalition has formed with the City of South Bend through the appointment of a bicycle coordinator, and especially so by the development of the bicycle network and increased number of bike routes for the cycling community,” said president Jeff Nixa. A citywide system of bicycle lanes and routes represents a key priority in City Plan, South Bend’s comprehensive plan for 2025. In his 2007 State of the City address, Luecke issued a directive to create a 50-mile network by the end of 2011, implementing at least 10 miles each year. When this year’s segments are completed, the emerging network will have nearly 43 miles – 34.8 miles since the mayor’s 2007 directive. As more routes are added over the next three years, this will further define an interconnected network, which includes: ? Multipurpose paths – Off-road, paved pathways limited to bicycles and pedestrian traffic. (Example: Riverside Trail, Portage Avenue) ? Bicycle lanes – Painted five-foot-wide lanes on each side of the road between traffic and parking lanes. (Example: Mishawaka Avenue) ? Designated routes – Streets marked by “Share the Road” signs that are recommended for bicycle and vehicular traffic. (Example: Ford Street) Dressel, named the City’s first Bicycle Coordinator during the 2009 State of the City address, serves as the governmental point person for all bicycle-related planning, activities and groups. In addition to continue route implementation and application for a Bicycle Friendly Community, Dressel also is charged with developing a bike master plan for the City. To view a map of the bicycle network or for more information, visit www.SouthBendIN.gov/bike -30-