09-17-2007 South Bend unveils comprehensive bicycle network

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to destinations, including employment centers, schools, libraries and parks as well as connect to existing routes in neighboring areas. The routes were selected in consultation with representatives of the Bike Michiana Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy organization representing eight local bicycle groups. The City will determine priority routes to implement each year based on its desire to link key destinations, construction schedules, existing road conditions, funding and other factors. A street must be at least 48 feet wide to incorporate two 11-foot travel lanes, two 8-foot parking lanes and two 5-foot bike lanes. With a limited number of City streets of that width, the City in some places would need to remove a parking lane on one side of a street to add painted bicycle lanes. "With high gas prices and efforts by residents to keep in shape, more people are riding bicycles. They legally have the same access to roadways as cars, trucks and other vehicles," said Gary Gilot, director of public works. "We're trying to balance the interests of bicycles, motorists, and neighbors and businesses who rely on on-street public parking." As the City implements new routes each year, planners will work in consultation with adjacent property owners, neighborhood groups and the bicycling community for optimal results. "Part of the vision identified by citizen input through City Plan, the city's comprehensive 20-year plan, is for South Bend to create an infrastructure that better encourages bicycling and walking as an alternative form of transportation," said Chris Dressel, a community planner with the Department of Community and Economic Development. "Working with residents to ensure that implementation of bike lanes and routes best serves everyone, we aim to create a bicycle network that will be the envy of many other communities and an attraction to future residents." - 30 -