Bikes In Montp- Come to City Council Meeting Wednesday!
This just in (see full PDF: citycouncilbikes6-10-09)
BIKE LANES, BIKE PARKING, and BIKE NETWORK
All on the City Council agenda, Wednesday June 10, 7 pm. We are the first agenda item at 7:10 pm.
If you’ve ever pedaled down the street and wished that bicyclists had more of a visible presence on the City streets, I am now writing to ask you to spend 1/2 hour of your time, this coming Wednesday night, by coming to the City Council meeting to show support for better bicycling. Yes, we have a lot of meetings in this city. This is one where your bodily presence could have a lasting effect. If you have never been to a City Council meeting, that is OK. You don’t need to speak, unless you really want to. Read on for details, or just come to the meeting.
THIS Wednesday, June 10, 7 pm
Montpelier City Council (Go in the rear door of city hall; the council room is up 1/2 flight on the main floor.)
Here’s the scoop:
All YOU have to do is show up.* What WE are doing is below. Bring your bike helmet in with you, and/or come a bit early to get a bicycle sticker for your lapel (provided).
* Note this is one time when showing up is the right thing to do. Yes, even if it is a gorgeous June evening, or if it is pouring down rain. Please come on over to City Hall for 1/2 hr with your bicycling friends and go for a bike ride or have a drink before or after. But if you really can’t show up in person, please do contact your city councilor in advance of the meeting – list of councilors: http://montpelier-vt.org/council/index.cfm#members
Background: (optional reading)
The Montpelier City Council will consider two important points relating to bicycling this Wednesday – June 10 @ 7:10 pm.
1. The addition of bike lanes to the Route 2 / 302 paving project -
1.6 miles of bike lanes could be added to this project, under construction this summer, with small tweaks to lines, and the addition of signs & bike lane stencils. Bike lanes are on-road bicycle facilities (not a bike path). Through the Montpelier Bikes project, consulting firm Going Green has been working with the City DPW and VTrans, and the idea is doable from a technical perspective – it may need political will. Bike lanes on the road would not replace the off- road path to Barre (the one in the works for the past 10+ years!) but would serve those traveling on Route 2/ 302. Even better, it is going to be built THIS SUMMER.
2. The City’s preliminary support for a bicycle network on the city streets The Montpelier Bikes project would like to work with the DPW to submit a Transportation Enhancements grant this fall (and to pursue other grant opportunities, such as any future “stimulus” funds and/or federal earmarks) for the development of an on-road bicycle network, including signs and stencils. Through this project, existing roadways would be indicated for bike use, bike lanes constructed where space permits, and perhaps a few streets could be turned into “bicycle boulevards” or “shared streets” where motorists and bicyclists are on more equal terms. Bicycle shelters and lockers would be included at locations such as the middle school, high school, transit stops, library, and pool (the Co-op & Shaw’s would not be eligible as they are private property). There are also a few “spots” to improve for bicycling. For example, the connection between National Life Drive and the Winooski Bike Path (near the DET lot) is very poor.
Similarly, the connection between Terrace St. and Court St. (through the state area) could be improved to make it work effectively for bicycling, including kids biking to school. And wouldn’t it be nice if the end of the bike path near Sarducci’s ended a little better – an easier turn across the RR tracks to Barre St., or a better connection directly to Main St. Aside from the initial construction, support will be needed for the City to be willing to take on the ongoing maintenance of these facilities.
We will be seeking preliminary support – the first step in the conversation – for this project. Strong citizen support (that’s you) can turn into strong Council support.