Sunday, January 15, 2012

Streets for Cycling 2020 plan - public meeting on 1/17

Do you ride a bike? Would you like to feel safer riding on city streets? The Streets for Cycling 2020 plan is for you!

The city's bike program has gotten a substantial chunk of federal grant money for the purpose of adding bike lanes (protected, buffered or regular), bike boulevards and other improvements to make city streets better for transportation cycling, and reduce traffic congestion. The Dept. of Transportation is seeking input from regular cyclists to determine where these improvements should be added.

One of the program's goals is identifying locations where local cyclists would like to see protected bike lanes on busier streets. Click here to view a video showing the city's first protected lane, so that you can see an example of the concept.

Bike boulevards are another goal. They are residential streets with traffic calming measures, designed to offer safe transportation for cyclists of all ages. Click here to see examples of the concept.

There are 2 public meetings scheduled in our area in the next 2 weeks. On Tuesday 1/17, there is a neighborhood meeting at Ridge Park fieldhouse, 9625 S. Longwood Dr., from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

On Wednesday 1/25, there is a south side meeting at Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S. Halsted, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a presentation at 6:30 p.m.

Anyone is welcome to attend either meeting, where they can get more information about the project and offer their ideas on where they'd like to go by bike, and where they'd like to see bike lanes and bike boulevards.

Those who are not able to attend one of the public meetings are encouraged to interact using the program's Facebook page.  The site will be updated with project news as well as provide opportunities for people to share their ideas.

There will also be 2 webinars available: Friday 2/3 from noon to 1:00 p.m.  and Monday 2/6 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.   Please note that the webinars require advance registration.

Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested.

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