Jerry Hinnefeld
Henry Scott
judithrobert
Jeff Nixa
memooney
Adam Bee
bspitzer
Nate Barnett
Paul Taylor
Danny Graber
lhierony
Phil G-E
petercolan
Jim Moffitt
Judy Lee
2wheelpeddler
dickkuehl
nimbabike
South Bend plans to add 10 miles per year of bike lanes/trails
Posted by Jerry Hinnefeld on March 3, 2007
In case you missed it, Mayor Luecke announced during his State of the City address that the city intends to develop 10 miles of bike routes per year for the next ten years! The first lanes in this initiative should be painted in late April or early May, in time for Bike-to-Work Week, May 13-19. One piece of the first year’s lane additions will almost certainly be Twyckenham Dr., from McKinley (where the existing lanes end) to Ridgedale Rd.
Jerry Hinnefeld said
Did anyone attend the South Bend mayoral debate held recently at IUSB? A friend told me today that someone asked about bike lanes, and that both Republican candidates basically scoffed at the idea. Is this accurate?
Nick Molnar said
Great web-site. South Bend badly needs more active groups promoting the smaller issues like bike lanes. I’ve posted about this site on the South Bend Area Blog and hope the right audience finds you.
Gerry Gardetto said
As I traveled about this week, the only new bike lanes that I have seen are located on Mishawaka Ave between Eddy St and Ironwood. I hope that is not the extent of the bike lanes for this year.
The existing bike lanes on Twyckenham were not restriped nor were any bike lanes added to Twyckenham.
This is unfortunate for tomorrow. It sounded like there would be a significant number of bike lanes ready for Bike to Work Day particularly with the bicycle ride being planned for tomorrow at 5:30 pm on the newly striped bike lanes in South Bend.
Well, all I can say is, keep positive. I am confident that as we cyclists continue to speak out, change will happen.
Jerry Hinnefeld said
There will be more bike lanes appearing this spring and summer. The city’s Public Works department is pretty skittish about removing parking, even when it’s only rarely used. So, they’re working on ways to gather feedback from residents along some of the proposed routes, to see if there will be any sort of backlash to the appearance of the bike lanes. I think that most of Twyckenham, from South Bend Ave. to Ridgedale Rd., will have bike lanes at some point this summer, though. Ford Street, on the west side, we’ve always envisioned as a shared roadway. It also looks as if a route along Colfax and Orange, south of Lincolnway, well get bike lanes, probably next year. If you have recommendations for other streets where painted lanes would make sense, you can share them here or directly with the city at a special hotline, (574) 235-9953.
You can get more information, about both the current year plans and the 5-year plan for a total of 50 miles of bikeways in South Bend, at http://www.southbendin.gov/2007-05-11-BikeLanesNews.asp.
So far, public reaction has been pretty positive. I was at a meeting this morning of the River Park Business Association, and their reaction to the lanes on Mishawaka Ave. was very positive. I think there is great momentum building for this initiative, but I also think it is important for those who support it to make a point of letting the city know how they feel. It’s a fact of public life that critics of new ideas and initiatives tend to be more vocal than supporters. I’m hoping in this case, though, to see lots of letters to the editor in the S.B. Tribune praising the steps the city is taking to encourage alternative transportation.
Al Smith said
Bike lanes are fine, but Mishawaka Ave. is not a good idea. I can’t imagine a true eastsider using such a busy street when you have a wide open and scenic Northside Blvd./Pleasant St. route running parallel, that actually connects downtown S.B. with the Mishawaka parks and trails, and accesses River Park, IUSB, YMCA. Likewise, Twyckenham is a fine route but until the endpoints have something to connect to it is useless. I’m not criticizing, but if we are to move forward maybe there should be a forum for opinions. I have been biking St. Joe county for four decades and have my preferred routes to almost anywhere around here. Ford St. is a fine east/west choice. Keep up the good work.
hpscott said
I’ve found that I really enjoy the bike lane along Mishawaka Ave. Sometimes I do prefer more scenic routes as Al mentioned, but often I do want a direct route. For example, this summer I frequently biked between IUSB and Merrifield Park and definitely appreciated having the direct route along Mishawka Ave.
I’ve been pleased to find that motorists accept my presence on Mishawaka Ave much more so than before the bike lanes; notably, I have not heard a single shout of “Get on the sidewalk!!”, which happened quite regularly prior to the bike lanes. If only Mishawaka (the city) would continue the lanes on their side!