Monday, August 8, 2011

Burlington, Not Gilbert

Cycling advocates are proposing to reduce Gilbert Street from 4 lanes to 3 and add bikes lanes to either side of the road. Needless to say, the reaction on the comments section of the Press-Citizen website have been amusing to say the least- but most running against the notion.

Listen, I've been rediscovering the joys of cycling lately- but if there's one major road through town that needs well-defined bike lanes, it's Burlington Street. It's packed with traffic and cyclists are included in that- they could use their own lane.

I'd also like to see more sidewalk expansion to the point where sidewalks along some of these streets could be considered bike capable. It's kind of a jackass move to ride your bike along a regular sized sidewalk in this town- but if you're along places like Scott Blvd, where the sidewalks are wider (and I believe are actually dual-designated as bike-pedestrian) it's OK to ride on the sidewalk, which given how busy that street is, is nice.

Plus, the cynic in me has to note that it's pretty damn convenient that both World of Bikes and Geoff's Bike and Ski just happen to be on what street? Oh that's right: Gilbert.

(I can't wait until they get the trail to North Liberty done- I wonder how far the network actually goes? Cedar Rapids? Waterloo? Might have to look into that.)

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