Bike routes being planned

[fsu813]

BPAC is working on some possible official bicycle routes for Downtown and it's surronding neighborhoods.

Here's the proposed routes for Springfield and Downtown.

Some form of buike lanes and facilities (ie, racks) would be installed.

Any input? (link for larger photos below)





For larger, high resolution photos:
http://gallery.myspringfield.org/Other/ ... &k=dztSjcr

[movedsouth]

Assuming that this is intended for commuting/shopping and not for recreational/sightseeing traffic:

Focus on Main and 8th (8th already got bike lanes in some areas). I don't think bike lanes for Hubbard and Laura will work or are necessary. The only connection to Downtown is Market Street according tot he map. I know it is tricky with all the one ways, but I think Laura and Main should be used as a connector too (from 1st Street South).

I also find myself using Pearl Street and Broad Street (Boulevard) a lot. Adding a bike lane to Broad Street should be easy. or to Pearl south of 4th street.

[Mathew1056]

I think the alleyways should be considered for this project. The community wouldn't just get some bike lanes. It would be a safer dedicated biking path, encouraging more biking. As far as home owners go, the affected properties will be allowed localized access to the alleyway of their block.

[jbm32206]

If they included the alleyways, they'd have to be paved, not all are.

[movedsouth]

The alleys make nice walk ways, but for bikes, I think the intersections with the street are too dangerous. The bike would have to stop at each crossing. Cars would have no way to see a bike emerging from the alley. I have seen a couple of near misses between cars and bikes with bikes coming out of the alley next to my house on 7th.

[bananas]

Are there any plans to add more than just a loop downtown? I mean, when I ride my bike downtown I don't ride it to loop around downtown, I usually have a specific location in downtown I am going to, so a loop wouldn't really be used unless I was trying to avoid downtown and loop around...

[Debbie Thompson]

To me, this appears to be more of a sight-seeing route for a leisurely bike ride in an historic district rather than a destination-driven route such as bicycle commuters may use. I could be wrong, but that's my impression.

If it encourages people to cycle in Springfield, I think it's a good thing.

[catcamp1644]

If the plan includes adding a bike lane on Laura Street, I am opposed. Where exactly are people supposed to park? It is illegal to park in a bike lane.

[Debbie Thompson]

Oh, good point, Cat Camp. I didn't even think about the parking. No garages, no parking in bike lanes = no parking.