Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
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As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM
As with any public comment process, participation in Lawrence Listens is voluntary. The statements in this record are not necessarily representative of the whole population, nor do they reflect the opinions of any government agency or elected officials.
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM, this forum had: Attendees: 324 On Forum Statements: 96 Hours of Public Comment: 7.8 This topic started on July 24, 2015, 8:49 AM.
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 2 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
Matt Tucker inside City Limits September 30, 2015, 11:50 PM I would love to see some of the fantastic, existing bike/walking paths be connected. We have quite a few great trails and paths, but getting from one to the other can be inconvenient and unsafe. One example would be connecting the lovely Burroughs Creek Trail to the Bridge and then on to the River Trails. There are many other examples. Connecting what we already have would be a great place to start in encouraging and supporting accessible walking and bicycling for people in Lawrence. Thanks for your time...
Name not shown inside City Limits September 26, 2015, 11:12 AM While the pedestrian-activated crossing signals are an important safety feature for pedestrians, in practice drivers don't understand them so they become one more frustration. Please consider adding large signs about how these work that are visible to drivers--mostly visual--that just shows yellow=prepare to stop, solid red = stop, and flashing red= proceed after stopping if no pedestrians are present. It's terrific that traffic engineers have come up with options like this, but if no one knows the rules it just adds to confusion.
It would be great if the current stoplight at 17th and Mass was replaced with a pedestrian activated signal since it was originally added for pedestrian safety.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 25, 2015, 10:56 PM I would like the tree cut away from the sign that reminds motorists that bicyclists have the right to a full lane in the roundabouts on Wakarusa Dr. I would also like to see the city address the issue of the disappearing bike lanes all over town. Bicycle lanes just suddenly disappear all over town, leaving the cyclist at the mercy of the motorist.... We cyclists do not have wings!!! We can not magicly fly when our lane vanishes, and all your honking does not give us super powers!
Name not shown inside City Limits September 25, 2015, 6:20 AM My husband anD I walk a lot and I'm a cyclist. Specifically I would like to see a sidewalk along McDonald, and a crosswalk traffic light at 4th street and McDonald. For cycling, I'd like to see more bike paths and bike lanes. I would also appreciate road signs like they have for motorcycles: cars need to look before they merge because cyclists might be in a blind spot.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 24, 2015, 10:40 AM I'm concerned about biking safely between Louisiana and Haskell on the new 31st Street. The new bridge just east of Louisiana is not wide enough for safe biking and I have not seen any sort of bike trail to use either. Granted I have not been riding over there since August so perhaps something is changing but at that time it
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 3 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities? seemed quite dangerous for biking.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 23, 2015, 4:20 PM I would like to see a sidewalk added to Kasold Drive between 6th Street and Peterson Road. Also, several of the sidewalks along Kasold between Bob Billings and 6th Street need to be fixed. Finally, finish the sidewalk on Monterey Way between Harvard and 6th Street on the east side of the road.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 23, 2015, 1:26 PM I bike to work almost every day, and I frequently bike around town to other errands, like picking up prescriptions or going to other appointments. I find it next to impossible to bike on the sidewalks due to poor maintenance or width. Moreover, it is nearly impossible to bike on a standard sidewalk when there are pedestrians present; it's simply too narrow. Additionally, it is challenging to navigate many of the curbs due to awkward design and to pass through intersections or exits from businesses in general because car traffic blocks them or because landscaping obscures lines of sight (e.g., Dillons at 6th and Lawrence). I would like sidewalks to be better maintained, better lines of sight at possible collision points, and sidewalks designed to be larger for safe use by bicyclists and pedestrians.
Biking on many of the city streets is also difficult. More bike lanes and/or wider roads would improve some of those difficulties. I would also like to see better street cleaning of the bike lanes that do exist. Debris accumulates in them, such as broken glass and sand from preparing for winter storms, and this debris poses its own challenges. Bike lanes should NOT be put adjacent to on-street parking; it increases the odds of an accident. As a regular bicycle commuter in town, I have also been verbally harassed by drivers in cars, had cars pass alarmingly close to me, or have had people honk querulously and repeatedly at me, never mind the few near misses I've had from inattentive drivers. I generally believe that a lot of the harassment comes from those bicyclists who do not follow the rules of the road (which I do, really, nerdy hand signals and all!). While it'd be nice if BOTH drivers AND cyclists followed the rules of the road, I have seen countless bicyclists blow through stop signs and red lights, endangering themselves and others with their actions. I would like to see better enforcement for cyclists who break the rules for my own and their own safety. Perhaps there could be a few bouts of heightened police focus on this issue in the spring when more bicyclists hit the streets and in fall when the students return to classes.
Amy Mason inside City Limits September 23, 2015, 12:23 PM There is no sidewalk beside the road west of or in front of West Middle School. Harvard Road has lots of walkers and runners every day who are in the street. I think schools should be a priority.
Matt Kleinmann inside City Limits September 23, 2015, 11:47 AM
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 4 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
In order to not just provide access to streets, but encourage active living and safer options for personal transit, the city should test the implementation of a protected bike line or cycle track along one street to test its effectiveness. Right now, sharrows are not enough to instill confidence of safety amongst bicyclists. It may not be feasible to install it for an entire city, but at least attempt it along one collector or arterial street and study what happens.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 22, 2015, 3:05 PM Dear Advisory Group, I have a few general comments on biking and walking around Lawrence and some very specific suggestions for particular routes. I regularly bike and walk around town.
In general, I find the in-town sidewalks and roads deplorable for biking, walking, running, and assisted transport (e.g. walkers, wheelchairs).
1) My elderly mother loves downtown but uses a walker and finds it difficult to navigate the sidewalks or exit a car parked even in a handicap spot. There is no room for a handicapped person to exit a car and easily access a ramp from the handicap parking stalls.
2) The potholes, debris, and cracks in the in-town roads (between Iowa and Haskell) make biking not only jarring, but hazardous. This is especially true at night, even with a bike headlight.
3) The north-south through roads in-town are not safe for children (Kentucky and Tennessee are not safe for anyone). I can't ever imagine my daughter riding alone on Mass or Connecticut. Less trafficked brick roads are not a good option. I would like to see a bike lane added to at least one north-south road by removing parking on one side (on Mass there might be room for both parking and a bike lane, possibly a bike lane plus a barrier between cars and bikes). Suggestion: one-way bike lane going north on Mass, and a one-way bike lane going south on CT. Sidewalks are for pedestrians, not bicycles.
4) We need a new funding model for sidewalk repair. Walking in the daylight is hazardous enough on many sidewalks. Night time walking and running is likely to result in a broken ankle. Expecting homeowners to foot the entire bill is not working. I just payed $1300 for 15' of sidewalk. Most people have other priorities, even if they can "afford" it (I would have rather remodeled my bathroom). It is a public good and should be a shared cost.
Well maintained streets and sidewalks make for an attractive city and help residents maintain an active lifestyle.
Specific areas needing attention.
1) The pick-up/drop-off area on the south side of Central Middle School is a tragedy waiting to happen. East 15th street is parked up and students crossing at the crosswalk to NH cannot see around cars to safely cross this busy street. It is too congested at the intersection of 15 and NH and at Mass and 15th during school start and stop times.
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 5 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
2) Cordley Elementary and Central Middle School students coming from neighborhood west of Tennessee still do not have a safe route to school. Nineteenth street is unsafe for elementary kids. Middle schoolers and elementary students coming from University Place neighborhood walk along 18th street from Louisiana to Kentucky. There is no sidewalk from Louisiana to Tennessee. This route is also popular with KU students and Lawrence High students and can become quite tight between cars and all the students going to and from. There needs to be a sidewalk on this street.
3) Students crossing Tennessee from the east (especially the smaller elementary students) cannot see around the cars parked near the intersection of 18th and Tennessee. I would suggest painting that particular curb yellow to prevent cars parking so close to the intersection as to block visibility.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 21, 2015, 9:51 PM To enhance the accessibility of sidewalks throughout Lawrence, attention needs to be turned towards obstructions blocking sidewalks. These include:
• Mud and silt run off around construction areas, i.e. East side sidewalk on Gran Vista Drive, 1/3 mile north of the Peterson and Monterey Way • Needless destruction and closure of sidewalks, i.e. north side sidewalk 1/3/ miles to the west of Peterson and Casehold intersection • The usage of automatic sprinklers that spray water over the sidewalks, especially during standard hours when people are walking, i.e. 0600 to 2200, directly hitting the faces of Service Animals, people in wheelchairs, and others
Of all of these, the sprinkler system issue is a simple solution, a city ordinance restricting the installation of units whereby any sprayer emits water directly over a sidewalk. All existing sprinkler systems will have two years to modify their systems to ensure compliance. Justifying this is the view that sidewalks are public easements and classified as areas of public accommodation. The sprinkler directly interferes with the usage of service animals, who are shot right in the face by automatic sprinkler systems, disrupting their ability to function in their roles in aiding a person with a disability through a specific task, like guide dogs and mobility dogs, which is protected under the ADA and supported by the DoJ. Likewise, the sprinkler spray water at a height directly hitting the face and upper body of individuals who are in wheelchairs. Not only do both of these examples indicate the lack of politeness that fosters positive neighborhoods, but directly prevents people with disabilities from utilizing sidewalks.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 21, 2015, 11:16 AM Unfortunately, I think one of the biggest safety issues with regard to roadways, whether one is driving, bicycling or walking is the explosion of drivers who think they can 'multitask' by talking or texting on their phones. Cars crashing into other cars due to driver inattentiveness may not result in a fatality, but cars crashing into pedestrians or bicyclists will likely not have the same outcome. I would like to see bicycle lanes in WIDER
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 6 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities? roadways that allow for drivers to give bicyclists the 3-feet they need for safety. Putting bicycles lane in some of our current narrow roadways by just painting the lane without widening the road is not the best solution to making Lawrence a safe, bicycle-friendly town. I would also like to see crumbling, broken sidewalks repaired for all pedestrians, disabled and otherwise. Thanks.
Don Radina inside City Limits September 21, 2015, 11:13 AM Hello I live at 2604 Jordan Lane. Many of the sidewalks around my neighborhood are in very bad condition. They are mostly cracked, upheaved, and overgrown with weeds. They are impassable with a baby stroller, skateboard, or tricycle. A person can walk on them only carefully so as not to trip. They do not meet ADA standards by any means.
When I called the city to report the sidewalks, they came out and sprayed some paint on them. Then nothing happens. When I persisted with my calls the city department manager informed me that the city does not enforce the sidewalk code because the city commissioners do not want to burden homeowners with the cost of repairs. I was told the commissioners have never enforced the sidewalk code, so it is a waste of time to complain.
The city sends the non-compliant homeowners stern letters pointing out the code provisions and the consequences of not complying. So some homeowners spend the money to fix their sidewalks only to find out that their next door neighbor does not have to comply!
I believe that repairing existing infrastructure should be the top priority. The commissioners should either enforce the sidewalk code or change it.
Donald Radina [email protected]
Name not shown inside City Limits September 20, 2015, 12:22 PM Add a bike and pedestrian crosswalk on 31st Street at Lawrence Avenue to increase safety for those crossing 31st in that area. .
Donald Spradling inside City Limits September 19, 2015, 8:44 PM More crosswalks, street and pedestrian lighting, improvements to increase safety for kids to walk to school.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 18, 2015, 10:39 PM
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 7 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
More and safer crosswalks, more bike lanes, trails and better lighting through out the city neighborhoods.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 12, 2015, 2:12 AM For major thoroughfares I'd like to see shared bicycle/pedestrian pathways with adequate lighting, and crosswalk buttons for busy intersections. Cyclists should be allowed to choose to ride on shared sidewalks or in the street with regular traffic. With the sidewalks as they are now, it is almost impossible to ride a bike on sidewalks because of missing cement and uneven surfaces. Since many of our streets have on-street parking, it can be very dangerous for cyclists to travel on the street, for fear of having a door opened into their path.
Throughout The Oread, East Lawrence and Downtown we need safe well-maintained sidewalks that are smooth and well-lit like what you see on the newer West side. Foot traffic needs to be analyzed so that high traffic areas are attended to first. In the Oread neighborhood and parts of East Lawrence the sidewalks are in such bad disrepair that it is very easy to trip over parts of the sidewalk either missing cement, or with uneven surfaces where tree roots have pushed the sidewalk or bricks up.
Especially on Tennessee and Kentucky streets, when one is walking towards the lights of oncoming cars, it is impossible to see the sidewalks at night and to easily navigate from downtown to parts of the Oread neighborhood safely. I bring a headlamp out with me when I know I have to walk at night and always walk the opposite way of headlights so that I can see enough to hope to not trip and fall. I have fallen many times, in both daylight and at night because of uneven surfaces.
We want students and others living in the Oread neighborhood to be able to choose not to drink and drive and to instead walk home from bars. In their current state of disrepair, one cannot walk home sober, much less a little drunk, without tripping over uneven surfaces. The lack of light is also scary, especially for women and other gender minorities. I have never understood why Lawrence hasn't taken more effort to repair sidewalks and add lighting to high traffic areas. This responsibility should be on the city, not the home owner, especially in neighborhoods where home owners do not live in the homes.
Downtown, turn signals need to be added at every major intersection to give cars opportunities to make turns while also giving pedestrians time to cross the street.
I would like to challenge members of city council to walk at night from Mass Street to, say, 14th & Tennessee, to get an understanding of what students, in particular, are experiencing when walking on sidewalks at night.
George Brenner inside City Limits September 11, 2015, 9:45 PM I would like to see the city continue to improve sidewalks along major streets, as has been done on South Iowa. It would also help to have more designated bike lanes when streets are improved. It would be particularly helpful to have more connections between trails, such as between the Naismith Valley Trail and the Burroughs Creek trail. Likewise, the north end of the Burroughs Creek trail with downtown, possibly along 9th street. I appreciate the improvements on the north side of 23rd street, though more work is needed. I have biked the south side of 23rd to get to businesses, and it is rough going, partly due to the uneven driveway pavements, but
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 8 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities? it still works. The new street signage is interesting. The share the road signs encourage cyclists to use the traffic lane, but I am reluctant in some locations because it might be a good way to get hit. I don't think some motorists are ready to share the road in these locations. However, I have been impressed with the number of motorists who stop to let me cross a street, even when they have the right of way or when I am waiting for traffic to go by.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 10, 2015, 8:21 AM I would strongly prefer to see more shared bike/walking paths. Many times I have been following traffic laws on my bike but have had some yell "Get off the street!" or pass dangerously close. Lawrence is a beautiful town for riding, but safety needs to be prioritized.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 10, 2015, 6:21 AM Provide bike routes where the bikes are protected from the motorized vehicles. Drivers simply do not see people who are walking or biking. I've been hit by a car (hit and run) and had too many close calls while walking, running, or biking to count. The bike routes that are simply pictures of bicycles on the side of narrow roads or painted lines on busy streets terrify me and provide no protection. People park in them, then pull out without looking or open their doors in front of a bike without looking, take right turns directly in front of bikers and walkers, and pull through intersections with pedestrians already in them. The City needs to enforce the traffic laws in regards to yielding the right of way to pedestrians at intersections and also in regards to the bikers who give us all a bad name by running red lights and randomly breaking other traffic laws that apply to all wheeled vehicles. The City needs to enforce the rules regarding keeping shrubs and tree branches trimmed back from pedestrian rights of way (sidewalks) and, in addition to enforcing snow clearing rules, keep the broken up and uneven sidewalks repaired--or if this is home owners cost, enforce the ordinance requiring them to keep their sidewalks safe and in good repair. Adequately lighting all walkways may be too costly, but they need to be upgraded over time, prioritizing key walking routes as was done with the route from downtown to the KU campus. A place to start might be the direct pathways to busy routes from major residential and retail centers. Routes important to those who walk and bike between their residences and their places of employment must be the priority over recreational trails, but the latter are important too and help get people in the habit of biking or walking in the first place. All these will contribute to the physical and mental health of the citizens who make up the community of Lawrence.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 9, 2015, 10:25 AM I think that there are plenty of opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians in our town. I am capable of going wherever I need to within miles of my residence and with little to no worry about traffic interfering. I am not sure how much more investment is truly needed at this point in time, aside from maintaining what we already have.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 7, 2015, 11:25 AM
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 9 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
I would like for our city to encourage walking and bicycling as modes of transportation, i.e., viable alternatives to driving all the time. Having parks and paths set aside exclusively for walking/running/biking is great--and I mean that, give us more of those!--but if we really want to make a dramatic difference in the health of our community and perhaps, hopefully, even of our planet someday, walking and biking must be integrated into the fabric of everyday life.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 6, 2015, 1:21 PM More shared bicycle/pedestrian paths would be a good investment. And far safer than bike lanes on streets. I think more people would feel comfortable traveling by bike if they did not have to negotiate biking alongside vehicles, even in the few areas where narrow and short bike lanes exist in Lawrence. Vehicle drivers would feel more comfortable not having vulnerable bicyclists in traffic, as well.
Since sidewalks are a part of the public infrastructure, it is illogical to expect individual property owners to be financially responsible for their upkeep. The cost is more than many can afford, which explains the poor condition of so many sidewalks in this town. I would not advocate adding sidewalks in my neighborhood since I would then have to maintain them regardless of my ability to pay.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 6, 2015, 2:43 AM Walking or riding a bicycle should not be encouraged until we have adequate enforcement of traffic laws. Traffic is so hazardous for cyclists, the cyclists ride on the sidewalks.Then, there is no room for pedestrians. Long blocks should have crosswalks midway. The city should expect that plans for retail parking lots will include pedestrians. Pedestrians should have access from the street and should not have to walk around moving cars. More time should be allowed for crossing busy streets,
Michael Thompson inside City Limits September 5, 2015, 5:35 PM Widen all sidewalks for use by pedestrians and bicyclists so they are not competing with vehicle traffic on the roads.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 4, 2015, 9:01 AM Hi All, I would like to see bike lanes on major thoroughfares, going to and from places people go. These bike lines should be segregated from the rest of traffic. This is done in other places by putting parking between car traffic and bike traffic and it seems to work really well. It's safer, drivers don't have to worry about seeing cyclists as much. Cyclists risk less interaction with cars, and with bike lanes located on the passenger side of parked cars, the risk of being hit by a car door is much less. When this is done, two lane roads (four lane total) sometimes are made into two-lanes. This often can have a traffic calming influence, encouraging alternative forms of transportation, walking, taking the bus, biking, or car pooling. Lawrence relatively small, many more
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 10 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities? people can be encouraged to bike to get where they are going. More bike parking, downtown, and elsewhere would also help. Sidewalks should be required on every block, every side of the street. Some blocks don't have them, or they are in disrepair, or they are blocked by foliage, and other things-- whether or not the city owns them, as a right-of-way, the city should enforce basic standards of safety, and ability to use them.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 3, 2015, 10:53 AM I would like to see more crosswalks and bike lanes. More crosswalks are needed in areas besides downtown, splitting the difference between the intersections that have traffic lights. There are a lot of kids crossing Mass Ave. between 19th and 23rd heading to the high school, Cordley and to Central. I feel like cars are pretty respectful downtown but need some training elsewhere. Perhaps police presence around schools during morning and afternoon drop-off/pick-up, to crack down on the cars that ignore the crossing guards, or are driving inattentively, at least initially. Talk to crossing guards and find out what they need.
Thanks for listening to my opinion.
Cheers! Barker Resident
Name not shown inside City Limits September 1, 2015, 4:46 PM I think the best way to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities would be 1) Provide transportation to and from recreation facilities for the elderly and less able 2) More education from health care providers 3) Info included in the utility billing insert 4) ENFORCE traffic laws!! I'm 100% against putting Kasold on a "road diet". Kasold is not the problem, Harvard & Kasold intersection is not the problem. The problem is drivers (of both vehicles and bicycles) ignoring stop signs. Reducing Kasold will create more problems for all who travel Kasold and likely for residents on Lawrence Avenue and Monterey Way as drivers try to avoid the bottlenecks that will occur on a two lane Kasold. Reducing Kasold to 2 lanes in the hope of encouraging more people to ride their bicycles or walk will not work because 1) There are not many places of employment or shopping on that route and 2) You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him/her drink. Final note: Monday, August 31st, at 2:30 PM, I counted a minimum of 25 vehicles, not counting my own, on the stretch from 14th to 8th. At least 5 of those were large trucks or trucks with trailers and at least 1 semi. How many pedestrians did I see? Zero. How many bicyclists did I see? Zero. Please do not hamper vehicular transportation thinking it will get people to walk or bicycle more.
Rex Hargis inside City Limits September 1, 2015, 3:07 PM I think that maintenance of sidewalks should be a city responsibility, not a property owner's. Sidewalks are a part of the transportation system, the same as roads.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 1, 2015, 12:36 PM
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 11 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
I would like to see the older parts of town, Pinckney, East Lawrence, Oread,, Old West Lawrence, and Downtown better connected to each other and to the area around the river with safe walking and biking paths (preferably separated from auto traffic). I like the idea of connecting Hobbs Park and Constant Park very much as it accomplishes many of these goals with one project. I also like the idea of expanding Robinson Park along a new riverside path under the Kaw River bridges. I would like to see downtown better connected to the river with a direct, accessible and fun system of pathways.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 1, 2015, 9:04 AM The sidewalks in the older parts of Lawrence are in bad need of attention and work. I would gladly bike the 2.8 miles from my house to my work if I felt it was safe, but since I would need to go through the Oread neighborhood I don't bike because a) the sidewalks are death traps and b) Tennessee and Kentucky have too much traffic. I am wholly uncomfortable being around cars while on my bike and would prefer better and more multi-use sidewalks than bike lanes, mainly because I also love to walk around. Strangely, my neighborhood doesn't have very many sidewalks - there are blocks where there are no sidewalks on either side of the street. As a homeowner, bicyclist, and professional flâneur, I would gladly pay more in either a small tax increase or a bicycle license/registry if it meant smoother and safer sidewalks in this town.
Name not shown inside City Limits September 1, 2015, 8:57 AM The city should create more safe multi-use paths that are completely separate from roadways. The city also should reduce lanes or lane widths on roads to make room for dedicated bike lanes wherever possible. More visible road markings and signage where bicyclists must cross busy roadways. Complete the bike path loop around the entire city.
Cortney Buffington inside City Limits September 1, 2015, 8:42 AM Issue 1: Better bike lanes. I've recently read about the proposal for Kasold. A buffered lane is a token. Protected lanes are far, far better, making the difference between unbuffered and buffered look small. Please consider making a real commitment and adopt the use of protected lanes.
Issue 2: Bike lanes that matter, example: Wakarusa between 6th and Bob Billings. The bike lane sorta randomly starts and stops. If the lane does not extend the length of the section of road, it's more problematic than not having one. I frequently ride the regular lane to avoid problems getting back out of the bike lane when it ends. Please consider making a real commitment and making complete bike lanes, not just random sections of bike lane.
Issue 3: Sidewalk maintenance. The policy of making residential and commercial property owners responsible to maintain city sidewalks is inconsistent with Lawrence values/practicies - especially only enforcing repair when there is a complaint. Are sidewalks public infrastructure? If so, they should be maintained as such. (insert any number of comments about developer tax breaks here).
Name not shown inside City Limits September 1, 2015, 7:15 AM All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 12 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
The stretch of 17th street between Massachusetts and Vermont is extremely dangerous for walkers, including all the children walking to Cordley all week. There is NO room for error. The combination of no grassy area between the sidewalk and the traffic lane, speeding vehicles coming eastward down the hill on 17th and a short, deteriorating curb will surely result in a tragic situation. More and more children are using this route and the safety of those children needs to be addressed by re-constructing the sidewalk/easement, installing speed bumps and/or putting in a four-way stop at 17th and Vermont. Let's fix this before, not because, we've had a terrible accident.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 31, 2015, 10:04 PM I'd like to see safer crossing sites across Kentucky and Tennessee, for walkers and bikers. I also think it would be helpful to encourage training for bike riders on how to safely ride in the street (observe stop signs, signal drivers, safe following distance, etc.).
Name not shown inside City Limits August 31, 2015, 7:02 PM I would like to see the city and the school district to work on a solution for children South of 23rd St. and those West of Iowa to get to Schwegler without navigated these busy streets. Parents are obligated to drive their children to school. These children do not have pedestrian friendly or bike friendly routes.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 31, 2015, 3:08 PM The intersection at 18th and Vermont is troublesome for a multitude of reasons- rendering it unsafe for pedestrians, including young children walking to/from Cordley, and added difficulties navigating it in a vehicle, when often it becomes one lane due to parking. The most conducive solution would be to convert 18th street between Kentucky and Vermont into a one way street with limited parking.
Eden Detrixhe inside City Limits August 30, 2015, 9:07 AM As a family that walks to Cordley Elementary, we are very thankful for the crossing guard at 19th and Vermont before and after school. People drive so fast, she is surprisingly often ignored, even by school bus drivers. She is very brave stepping out into that traffic. A traffic light might be necessary to keep pedestrians safe.
Drivers are also going too fast on 21st St. between Massachusetts and Louisiana. More stop signs, even speed bumps, might help protect neighborhood walkers and school children.
Walkers using Vermont Street's sidewalk between 21st and 19th would also appreciate residents' trimming their gardens and trees. The tree roots have also taken a toll on the sidewalks, which makes traveling with strollers or wheelchairs difficult in places. Many streets in our neighborhood, which is bound by 19th, Massachusetts, 23rd, and Louisiana, do not have sidewalks at all, so families must walk in the street.
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 13 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
The north exit of New Hampshire Street's parking garage downtown is a tricky one for pedestrians, especially when trying to keep small children safe, using strollers, or using wheelchairs. It seems one should use the sidewalk on the east side of the exit, but then that sidewalk abruptly disappears at the stairs that go down toward Milton's. If you can't use the stairs (strollers, wheelchairs), you either stay in the street or must cross to the west side by the bank. A marked cross walk would be helpful.
Crossing streets downtown has become scarier as turning drivers seem to check the crosswalks less and less. I don't know if it's an issue of inattentive driving or visibility, but I've had to hold my children back several times even though we had the right of way because a driver barreled through his or her turn.
Scott Kemme inside City Limits August 29, 2015, 1:14 PM Adjustment of speed limits DOWN or encourage traffic to take other routes instead of where families and school children are in high traffic e.g. the various schools on 19th (Cordley and LHS) are prime examples. Lots of thru car traffic with lots pedestrians. That traffic should encouraged to take 23rd. The roundabout at 19th and Barker constantly has its speed limit ignored even as pedestrians have the right of way. It's DANGEROUS. On the fun side, close downtown (just Mass St, 11th to 6th) to car traffic on Sundays. May not make sense for all year, but maybe from May 1st to Oct 1st. Definitely during the summer when school's out. City planning should focus on enjoying the town. Not just moving people from a to b.
Desiree Stephenson inside City Limits August 29, 2015, 9:57 AM I would like to request more bike lanes around the city including on Mass Street and other streets like Iowa and side streets. Some of bike lanes start only to end and not continue. Can we have continuous bike lanes and not just short ones?
We would really appreciate it.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Desiree Stephenson [email protected]
Sarah Thomas inside City Limits August 29, 2015, 1:13 AM Enforce speed limits. My friend, who uses a walker, has almost been run down countless times on Mississippi St. (at 8th) because motorists speed down the hill from KU. He has also fallen trying to avoid speeding cars. Accessible and safe walking paths. Repair and accessibility updates to unsafe sidewalks. Licensing of bicyclists. Many do not follow the basic traffic rules, like stopping at stop signs. This endangers them and motorists and pedestrians.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 28, 2015, 10:40 PM All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 14 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
This pertains specifically to Vermont Street between 19th and 18th street adjacent to Cordley school. It is a two way passage. All morning arrivals, for pedestrians and vehicles, enter through a door on the north end of the school near the playground. Needless to say it is very busy with a long line of cars going back to 18th street and further. The primary exit for afternoon dismissal for students getting picked up by car is also a door on Vermont street that is located closer to 19th Street. Both arrival and dismissal are times of long lines of cars. The school sent instructions to parents to drive southbound along the sidewalk adjacent to the school so children will safely exit directly on the sidewalk. When this line of southbound cars is present then any northbound traffic causes a precarious situation especially because there is on-street parking on the east side of the street. Despite the instructions from the school some parents enter Vermont going northbound and stop to wait for their children. This causes the children to cross Vermont street in a congested and dangerous situation. Efforts are made to ask these drivers to please come in southbound but enough dismiss this request. Cars not picking up children try to scoot between the two lines of cars.
I've been at Cordley for ten years and when I began I was aware that conversations were taking place with the city to find a solution for this situation. One suggestion was to make Vermont street one-way for the block between 18th and 19th. I don't know what the status of communication is between the city and the school district about this block but i can tell you that it is dangerous and there have been some close calls when children run into the street to get in cars headed northbound. All staff members are posted at various doors for dismissal.
Cordley is situated in a neighborhood of walkers. There are many families that walk to school and the traffic on 19th street is much too fast and pays little attention to the pedestrians. There is a crossing guard but it's not enough. It seems that there is no enforcement of the school speed ones around the school at those times. The Cordley neighborhood also extends to the Barker Circle and traffic there also needs better monitoring particularly in the morning and after school. People race to get into the circle no matter if a car is already there and often don't stop for the crosswalks.
I would strongly encourage the city to diligently study this situation. It's been a dilemma for the school for a long time.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 28, 2015, 9:46 PM I will reiterate several of the themes from other respondents: 1. Way more bike lanes are needed 2. Sidewalks are crucial to ensuring accessibility for walkers, wheelchair users and bikers (when needed) 3. Driver education 4. A law that prohibits the use of phones while driving and finally: Address street harassment in this community! Street harassment is a huge problem in Lawrence and prevents people (mostly women) from feeling safe when walking and biking in our town.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 28, 2015, 1:48 PM
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 15 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
We need actual bike lanes. Not signs that say "bike friendly town" but actual bike lanes. Preferably next to sidewalks not next to curbs or lines of parked cars (where one open car door can wreak havoc). We need crossing guards at our schools! Central Middle School has no guard and crossing 15th is terrifying! Cordley School has no street sign at 18th & Vermont and cars are bulldozing through - it needs a stop sign or, at worst, a yield sign. Brick sidewalks are cute, but when they're bumpy and dangerous, people don't want or can't walk safely or push strollers or ride bikes. There also need to be more bike racks downtown. There's the straggly one by the Replay but I can't think of any other big rack. Schools need more bike racks, too. I could go on and on......
Linda Troxel inside City Limits August 28, 2015, 9:54 AM I would like to see the sidewalk on the south side of 23rd from Iowa to Mass, widened to 10' for bicycles and pedestrians. It should also be clearly defined at all street crossings and entrances/exit to commercial parking. Bicycle/pedestrian crossings across 23rd from major streets should also be better defined.
Kristin Kamm inside City Limits August 27, 2015, 9:20 PM We need a LOT more bike paths and bike lanes. When I visit other cities, the people there ride bikes! I hardly see any bikes here. Not even the students here ride bikes.
Jessica Brown inside City Limits August 27, 2015, 7:18 PM I walk our family dog every day through our neighborhood just south of campus and my children (ages 6 & 10) walk north across 19th Street to school (Cordley). We need better and ongoing driver awareness programs. Reminders for drivers to yield to pedestrians, not drive too close, to watch for students (little ones and KU students too). We need to foster a community culture that values and protects walkers. Maybe more awareness on the part of the police department would help too. Bad drivers who endanger pedestrians and cyclists need to be cited & fined.
Lori Kemme inside City Limits August 27, 2015, 5:21 PM We live near the roundabout on 19th and Barker. I love this neighborhood and most of it's walkability. 19th Street traffic seems too fast though. I cross the roundabout at least a couple times a day with my young kids and it is SO scary! Cars are racing through the roundabout and don't always yield to pedestrians. I feel that slowing the speed limit would help this area to be safer for all the families that walk down 19th Street to get to Cordley Elementary. Please solve this problem and help keep our children safe!
Traffic on Vermont on the East side of Cordley also needs to be studied. Again, there is a lot of young foot traffic. We need to make that street safe for our kids as well!
Name not shown inside City Limits August 27, 2015, 9:23 AM
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 16 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
I would like to see some sort of traffic calming device for the student walkers from Lawrence HS for Tennessee and Kentucky streets to allow them safe passage across these congested streets before and after school. I have been hearing complaints from students saying they have come close to being hit. Also, there needs to be more sidewalks in East Lawrence, as well as people cutting back their hedges overhanging over sidewalks to make room for walkers.
bonnie uffman inside City Limits August 26, 2015, 11:53 AM I am deeply impressed by the thoughtfulness and wisdom of the 46 preceding comments. What can I add?
I believe, as others have expressed, that infrastructure is our most serious problem. I am reluctant to encourage others to walk and bicycle more when our city lacks a safe infrastructure in which to do so.
Of course, this infrastructure needs to be funded. I would like to see a larger budget line item for this purpose.
I would like to see the city assume responsibility for sidewalks. We, as a city, fund our streets. Why not our sidewalks?
I would like for our bikeways to be safe for all, including seniors and children. I am in favor of either wide multi- use paths or protected bike lanes.
I hope to see a high priority placed on completion of the multi-use lane around the city.
I would like to see South Massachusetts become a shining example of a complete street, welcoming all to downtown Lawrence.
I believe that anything that we do in improve the walkability and bikeability of Lawrence is of benefit to the entire community. Let's do it!
Melissa Warren inside City Limits August 25, 2015, 9:31 PM I think some car_free routes are needed. There are too many speeding and careless drivers on most streets. Crosstown corridors. Also, covered parking sheds at certain spots like library . Cooperation with KU.
Charles Jones inside City Limits August 25, 2015, 5:43 PM I strongly support efforts to encourage walking and bicycling in Lawrence. There are several reasons: battling obesity -- and high health care costs -- in every generation, but especially our youth; providing affordable transportation options for lower income citizens; and building community through the kind of personal interactions that rise from face-to-face meetings as residents get out and walk or ride their neighborhoods. What can the city do to help: constrain sprawl (which is almost always auto dependent); ensure the
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 17 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities? interconnectedness of new residential development; create a system of linear parkways that provide cycling routes through the community; continue to support cycling and running events throughout Lawrence. Thanks so much for asking our opinion.
Tony Moss inside City Limits August 23, 2015, 3:15 PM -pass a local fuel & carbon tax and devote this $ to environmental improvements like sidewalks, bike lanes, more trees and strategic green space -plan and facilitate technology-assisted driving (coming soon--the computer helps drive the car and prevent phone-drivers from hitting others) -design attractive bike and shaded walkways that link the most frequently used and visited parts of the city (doesn't have to be right next to the heavily trafficked thoroughfares) -build at least one sidewalk on every city street. Pedestrians shouldn't have to walk in the streets with traffic. -replace brick sidewalks and streets with smooth, high-quality, and durable streets and sidewalks for pedestrians and bikers
George Wiley inside City Limits August 21, 2015, 6:55 PM Keep repaving rough-surfaced streets to make them smoother. I prefer to take secondary streets when biking, and they can get pretty rough. Some repaving was done recently between Hillcrest shopping center and downtown, and I am grateful.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 21, 2015, 4:02 PM Prohibit all uses of cell phones while driving, including hands-free, phone to ear, and texting, and actively raise awareness of this and enforce it (most important one). Decrease speed limits on major streets to 30 mph and 15 in neighborhoods. Design and upgrade streets to encourage people to drive at posted speed. Design streets and sidewalks for cars, pedestrians, and bicycles. Close off Massachusetts St. from 11th to ca. 7th (could be temporary at first to try it out) to create pedestrian mall- more space for outdoor events, vendors, outdoor eating, etc. increasing use of and business downtown, while making it safer to get around w/out a car. Keep encouraging people to get around w/out car- walk, bike, bus. Fund the bus so it's free for anyone.
Gary Webber inside City Limits August 21, 2015, 1:56 PM I believe that infrastructure is our most serious problem. The city government and the citizens of Lawrence must find a way to adequately fund sidewalk and street repair and replacement to address the nearly $30 million in repairs and improvements that are currently needed. These include, but are not limited to: -repair of existing sidewalks -adding sidewalks to residential, collector, and arterial streets -adding protected bike lanes
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 18 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
-calming traffic Finding ways to fund these and other improvements should be a top priority of the recently formed Bicycle & Pedestrian Task Force. We can have a pedestrian and bike friendly city, but we must all agree on a equitable way to fund the needed improvements, and then have the will to generate the funds and make the changes.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 18, 2015, 12:48 PM For many decades, I have been a commuter bicycle rider with no car so I walk and ride my bike most days of the week and in all the sorts of weather that wends its way through Lawrence. Critical to my safety in both modes of transportation is a smooth surface. As a bicycle rider, I am very grateful to the city and to the drivers of the street cleaners. Having the side of the road where I ride be clear of debris contributes to my safety exponentially. Without having to dodge debris on the side of the road, I can focus on traffic around me a whole lot better. I would make a suggestion that the sand spread on the hill streets during winter storms be cleared from the area near the gutter of the going-down-side of the hill as soon as possible. Sand can be as slick as ice and with gravity in the mix as it is on the going-down-side of the hill street, well, that’s a dangerous combination.
Structural street maintenance is very important to a bicycle rider. Taking care of not just the potholes but also the cracks that are big enough to catch bike tires, especially skinny tires, is imperative and will result in better safety for all travelers.
I was surprised to learn that cars are made with turn signals as they are used so infrequently. More/better urging of both car and bicycle riders to use turn signals would certainly be beneficial. And, what is communicated needs to be accurate information. It certainly didn’t help a year or so ago when the city in its publication, The Flame, which comes to every household in Lawrence in paper form with the water and sanitation bill, published incorrect turn signals for bicycle riders to use. A request to have the correct information published in the next paper issue of The Flame was met with the comment: “Well, the signals are correct on the website so, no, we won’t publish the correct signals in the paper form of The Flame.” Not helpful at all and, in fact contributed greatly to confusion for all modes of transportation on our city streets.
It would also be good to remind one and all that many bicycle riders will take the center of the lane we are in at intersections, the better to be seen by one and all.
Brick streets and brick sidewalks are very picturesque but, unless they are well-maintained, and, let’s face it, they rarely are well-maintained, walking and biking on them is uncomfortable at the least and treacherous at the most. My suggestion would be that if there is a brick street, the sidewalks along that street should be concrete and that if the sidewalks along a street are brick, then the street should be concrete or asphalt. That way there are options, at least for bike riders.
A minor note, and I hate to knock kindness and generosity on the part of car drivers, but when they give up the right-of-way to me the bike-rider out of kindness but against the rules of the road we should all be following, such a gesture can set up a chain reaction of other vehicles on the road that may result in an accident. In most cases, car drivers should treat bike riders like car drivers. We should all be obeying the same rules of the road.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share some of what I’ve learned getting around on a bicycle in our
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 19 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities? city.
Jackie Carroll inside City Limits August 16, 2015, 3:20 PM Bike lanes! They either need to be large enough to be safe or separated from the road by parking, blockades, green space, etc. We should have them on enough roads that someone could use a bike lane for most of their route- Roads like Wakarusa, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, 6th, 9th, 19th, & 23rd OR equivalent thoroughfares. Clearly post where one is and is not allowed to bike, make sure the police force is educated on it, and allow them to be FLEXIBLE anyway. Police interaction with bicyclists should be for educational purposes only unless the cyclist is being obviously reckless. Sidewalks need to be maintained for both pedestrians and bicyclists. "Share the Road" and "Watch for bicyclists" signage.
Robert Wittman inside City Limits August 15, 2015, 4:39 PM We first must "have" an infrastructure that allows for safe and accessible walking and cycling before we encourage either. I would contend that we do not have that infrastructure. Many of the sidewalks are deteriorating and uneven in the area in which I walk. I frequently walk in the less busy streets to avoid this problem. I also wonder about full accessibility for people that require wheelchairs. While I have not encountered any intersections without curb cuts, several exits from the alleys do not have them at the sidewalk crossing. Walking and cycling on motorways has also become more hazardous with the advent of more technological distractions for divers. I often note drivers who are so engaged with their mobile phones that they are oblivious to others. I have had rush to avoid getting hit by a distracted drivers at controlled intersections several times on my walks. While shared use bike/car paths exist, they often seem inconvenient for any but recreational biking and even then are hazardous for a variety of reasons, i.e. narrow roads, occupied bike paths, distracted and discourteous drivers, poor markings. I am not sure how to fix that without major expenditures that, for example, would allow for separate, wide shared pedestrian/bike paths. I noticed that the sidewalk on the east side of Hilltop Dr. from 9th St. past Hillcrest School was recently repaired. Yet it still is very narrow and next to the street without any buffer zone between. Not exactly conducive to students either walking or biking safely to school. If we want to encourage those activities then that should become one of the considerations in any city planning where it would be germane. Another factor for walkers are major streets without an easy way to cross to the other side without a long walk to a controlled intersection. Sixth street seems replete with these. Again, I would think not very encouraging to pedestrians. I know that we can't reengineer the city, but in conjunction with our mass transit system, we could make it easier to get to certain locations by using it and either biking or walking. I think some of our buses have bike racks on the front but not all. In some cities in the U.S. and in Europe they allow bikes to be taken directly on by providing the space and have made it easy to do. Not having to secure a bike on the front might encourage more people to use mass transit in conjunction with their bike on errands or commutes. Thanks for the opportunity to provide input. A good first step in what I think will be a long difficult process. Most of us have become addicted to vehicular travel and that is encouraged both culturally and economically. We don't subsidize walking or biking.
Noel Rasor inside City Limits August 13, 2015, 12:09 PM
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 20 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
We need to regard infrastructure for walking and cycling as not just a health and quality of life issue, but also an economic development one. If we seek to be a destination for retirees and to hold onto millennial residents and young families, we need to recognize that both groups need and want options for getting around that allow them to be independent without cars.
Sidewalk funding: we need to treat sidewalks like any other part of the transportation infrastructure and move toward including them fully in public funding; instead of talking about “street maintenance,” for example, we ought to be talking about “transportation infrastructure maintenance.” Sidewalk funding needs to cover adding them where they don’t exist, especially near schools, and replacing those in poor condition. I recognize this is a challenge to get there—so in the meantime give property owners creative ways to pay for fixing their sidewalks. Split the cost with us and allow it to be added to the water bill over some number of years, for example. I’m sure there are lots of creative ways other cities have done this. Give us options.
Make walking fun: how about creative painting of crosswalks—I’ve seen photos of cities that have painted them like piano keys, or other fun designs. How about getting the Van Go kids involved in this, and LAC, and the middle school and high school art classes? And how about some LAC or some other group creating a program that connects property owners who have a big blank wall along a sidewalk with artists or arts classes that want to paint murals? And encouraging churches and businesses to put work-out stations in their lawns so that people can pause and do some other exercises while walking home from work? The more interesting and fun things to do and see along the way, the more people enjoy walking.
Also, add wayfinding signs that tell walkers how long it takes to walk and bike to destinations, e.g., “it’s an 11- minute walk or 3 minute bike ride to South Park” with an arrow posted at an intersection. Make these creatively painted and fun so they get integrated into the visual identity of the city.
For cycling: we need much better routes through town to make this a safer, more compelling transportation option. We are woefully behind other cities in our region on this. Here are needs and options I see:
1. There are lots of techniques to better identify bike lanes. Let’s commit to at the very least painting the pavement a different color in bike lanes so that this becomes a standard that cars and cyclists know to look for (e.g., http://hiddencityphila.org/2011/10/south-street-bridge-improvements/). Where feasible, adding those skinny plastic bollards every few yards would also help delineate bike lanes and protect cyclists. The research indicates that the stronger the visual separation between drivers and cyclists, the safer both groups feel. 2. As another commenter noted, identify secondary streets that can serve as primary routes for cycling and either delineate painted bike lanes or widen sidewalks to identify a clear bike path. 21st Street and 27th Street would be great candidates for this, as would Barker. And 9th Street west of Iowa could become a primary bike route with a painted bike lane (again, not just a stripe but the asphalt painted a different color) so that cyclists can travel parallel to 6th Street without having to be on 6th Street. 3. Where necessary, several more feet of those skinny parkways of grass between the sidewalk and street could go away to widen the sidewalk to accommodate both walkers and cyclists. Iowa Street might be a great candidate for this, especially south of 23rd. So would 19th between Massachusetts and Haskell, and also Bob Billings Parkway from Iowa to Kasold. (An alternative on South Iowa would be to repaint lanes and take that extra 10 feet that’s currently an absurdly wide left turn lane in the middle instead for bike lanes along the sides. This would definitely require some sort of plastic bollards for cyclists and drivers to feel secure (like http://www.westword.com/news/pop-up-protected-bike-lane-shows-how-concept-would-be-good-for-denver-
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 21 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities? activist-says-5880133).) 4. Some of our streets are much bigger than they need to be to accommodate the traffic they carry. I have lived on Mass Street for 15 years and am convinced that it would function equally well with one lane of traffic north and one lane south with a left turn lane in the middle (instead of two lanes each direction) as long as the City will plan to guide traffic after basketball games. Then the width of that 4th lane can be used for bike lanes, painted out, on both sides of the street. I think this is also true of Kasold, and probably of Bob Billings Parkway from Kasold to Wakarusa—one lane each direction with a center turn lane would allow for creating bike lanes. And if we make streets work well for cyclists, we won’t necessarily have car traffic increase at the same rate that population grows. 5. And bring the Lawrence creativity into cycling, too, by doing really fun bike racks. And encourage more businesses to dedicate a parking place or two to bike racks so that it’s not a hassle to figure out where to lock up.
Holly Krebs inside City Limits August 12, 2015, 9:10 PM I'd like the City to make sure sidewalks on streets near schools exist and are maintained well. We live near LHS and Cordley, and there are nearby blocks that have no sidewalks on either side of the street.
I really appreciate the growing paved bike pathways around the city and want to see the City continue its commitment to connecting those all around the city.
I'd like bicycle traffic to be easier on streets, but I don't know what else the City can do. More delineated bike lanes is probably the clearest solution.
Thank you, Holly Krebs
Name not shown inside City Limits August 12, 2015, 4:37 PM I think the addition of bike lanes on major thoroughfares really needs to be addressed. I do not feel safe riding my bike along 6th street and certainly not along Iowa.
Also, several cities I've traveled to have places where you can rent a bike via a kiosk or automated system. I think installing one of these in downtown Lawrence or near the levy trail would greatly add to a bike friendly attitude and give visitors a great way to see our city.
For walkers I think that sidewalk improvements would be the best. Many homeowners will not be willing or may not have the means to fork over several hundred dollars to repair something that doesn't add much value to them personally. I know I would rather spend that money on something a little more tangible to me.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 12, 2015, 1:18 PM
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 22 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
After recently having a baby, my husband and I have walked a stroller around all of east Lawrence, and my number one desire for a safer environment has to do with the quality of the sidewalks. They, overall, are pretty terrible. We were lucky in that the previous homeowners we bought our house from had already repaired the sidewalks in front of our house. If there was a program to help homeowners make repairs affordably and efficiently, maybe whole neighborhoods could start benefitting from better sidewalks.
Cindy Bracker inside City Limits August 11, 2015, 8:08 AM Thanks for continuing to make Lawrence a bike-friendly community. Here's my wishlist & suggestions: 1. Pave a road between the bike path and the farmer's turnpike, or extend the bike path itself, if possible. 2. put up some flags or signs where those beautiful wide sidewalks intersect with commercial driveways or streets. I never feel like cars actually see me coming and I worry more about being hit when I'm riding on the sidewalk versus in the street. 3. The city can't patrol every bike line in Lawrence, but we cyclists that use them can definitely provide regular feedback about repairs needed. Perhaps some kind of online form to report debris or potholes or just things that need attention/maintenance. 4. It would be great if we could really publicize the bike to work day that happens in the spring. I think there is absolutely NOTHING that makes drivers more aware of cyclists and pedestrians than actually seeing it from the other side. Before I started riding, I was probably not the most courteous or aware driver. Never intentionally mean, just ignorant. I would be happy to volunteer to help if the city would really embrace the event. It would be great to see commissioners leading the way. Maybe it could even be a fundraiser...something along the lines of the ice bucket challenge, but instead have citizens pledge $ to "encourage" certain Lawrence figures ride their bikes to work. It could be a fun community building event, with proceeds going to help with costs to maintain bike paths or something. Again, thank you for listening and working on this. It's nice to see it all evolving!
Name not shown inside City Limits August 8, 2015, 3:06 PM I would like the city to encourage bicycling by filling in all the potholes in the roads and bike lanes. It would also help if the round-a-bouts were made a little easier to ride through. Also, I think, at the 19th and Haskell intersection the bike lane ends abruptly in front of the stoplight. I think that the bike lane should go all the way to the stoplight.
Ray Beaumont inside City Limits August 7, 2015, 8:37 AM Sidewalks, sidewalks and sidewalks. Maintaining the sidewalks we currently have will increase use for both pedestrians and bikers. The state of our current sidewalks forces walkers and bicyclist into the street. In new construction shared use sidewalks will increase the safety of both bicyclist and walkers without the need of routing the bicyclist into the street which now means we need to provide them with a separate roadway as well as creating an additional safety hazard in the road.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 6, 2015, 9:00 AM
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 23 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
Having homeowners be responsible for the state of sidewalks doesn't seem to be working. Until a new policy is put in place, there are two things the city can do to help: --There are places in East Lawrence and OWL where overgrowth from trees or bushes in the easement are blocking sidewalks. This is a city responsibility and they can clear up the paths. --Rental inspections should include citations for poor sidewalks. The house next to mine is a rental and has such bad sidewalks that parents with strollers can't navigate it. When I pointed this out to the management company, they said that they won't do anything unless there is a citation.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 3, 2015, 11:28 AM I have notice cities that have the greats accessibility for walking and bicycling have excellent transit system ( frequent, comprehensive, and extended hours). I think this is because if the transit system makes it easy to get to anywhere in town, then people are willing to walk the extra bit to and from the bus stop. Also with fewer people driving, bikers feel safe to commute even in the busiest parts of town because they are no longer competing with so many vehicles. So the key to accessible walking and bicycling in my eyes is a top notch public transit system.
Name not shown inside City Limits August 3, 2015, 12:07 AM Thank you very much for working to make Lawrence more accessible to those using other means of transportation than cars. I drive a car, use my bicycle, and run and walk in the city.
I would like to see both people on bicycles and those walking treated as first class citizens within the city limits.
First, I think crosswalks should mean something. They should not be a warning to cars that they might hit someone, they should say: if someone is crossing here, you must stop. Even at the roundabout on 19th and Barker, where it is clearly posted that pedestrians have the right of way, this is routinely ignored. And for good reason. EVERYWHERE else in Lawrence, crosswalks have no meaning. The crosswalk lights are a good attempt at making things safer for children, but they are confusing to drivers. The light to cross Mass Street at South Park is an exception, because it is a light people are familiar with, with the usual sequence of red, yellow and green. Make it clear that every crosswalk is legally enforced, as it should be, though, and there would be no need for these experimental and distracting attempts at making things safer.
If you want to encourage people to commute by bicycle, and not just use it as recreation, you must, within the city limits, make it absolutely clear that those on bicycles have the same rights as those in cars. I realize that it is Kansas law that bicycles must be ridden on sidewalks where feasible, except in downtown areas. The problem is that often, riding on sidewalks is not feasible. IF you truly want to encourage bicycling, you absolutely must afford those on bicycles the same rights as those in cars; going five miles an hour down Mass Street, weaving around pedestrians on sidewalks eaten up by grass is not a sensible alternative to a car for someone commuting to work, nor is riding down the washboard roads designated as "bike routes". By design, streets able to handle heavy car traffic will always be the first to be repaired and made clean, and people using bicycles to commute must have first-class access to those roads. Even more important than creating bike lanes on some roads is making it clear that those on bicycles have every right to use those roads, even if it makes the
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 24 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities? road momentarily inconvenient to a person driving a car. Keep the brick and washboard streets, that's what makes East Lawrence walkable, but make it clear that EVERY street in Lawrence is made for those on bicycles as well as those in cars.
Marc Greenberg inside City Limits August 2, 2015, 12:16 PM Let's get a ahead of the curve by realizing that we can't keep accommodating more car traffic -- we need to make it easier for both recreational and commuter bicyclists to make use of Lawrence as a truly "Bicycle- Friendly Community," where that designation will be more than an empty slogan. We need to have protected bike paths that lead to meaningful destinations and are not only relegated to the city's peripheries. For example, there are virtually no safe approaches to KU -- all require competing with cars and buses. Until then, not only aggressive drivers, but unrepaired potholes and leftover sand from the winter remain deadly roadway hazards for bicyclists.
Wendy Shoemaker inside City Limits August 2, 2015, 11:33 AM I think many of the recent efforts embraced by the city are helping with making our city safer for walkers and cyclists. I think the following measures could also be embraced:
For walkers: 1. More sidewalks! In North Lawrence there are few sidewalks and walkers (some with strollers!) have to walk on the streets. 2. Better sidewalks. I used to live in Old West Lawrence and many of those sidewalks are treacherous to walk on. 3. Perhaps the city could create and embrace more programs that would help homeowners with the upkeep of sidewalks? I think homeowners would be more enthusiastic about them if they had some help from the city (help with creating, repairing and upkeep). Sidewalks are a common good that everyone can enjoy so in this way, it could be seen as a city expense.
For Cyclists: 1. Continue to create more bike friendly infrastructure such as dedicated bike lanes, bike turning lanes, etc. 2. More bike locking areas outside businesses- it's way too common to have to hunt for a safe place to lock up my bike when biking around town. Please also make sure these new areas are in well-lit and safe areas. 3. Improve the bike registration program with the city by making it free and encouraged. Perhaps with each bike registration, an invitation to attend a safety class? 4. Offer bike safety training classes. We now have a fresh class of League Certified Instructors - could we "employ" them more with more city-sponsored training programs? 5. Motorist education classes on the rights of cyclists for those who violate traffic laws involving a cyclist? 6. Enforcement of laws for Motorist by Lawrence Police Department. I think they are more concerned about cyclists' behavior and do not seem to be concerned by motorist behavior. Statistics on bike/motorist crashes reveal that the fault is about 50/50 and happen most frequently at intersections. 7. A marketing/education program for motorists on Kansas bike laws - how about a dedicated handout? A webpage on the city's page? A social media campaign?
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8. Pave the levee trail and make it a full loop by creating a ped bridge across the river. This area could be a lovely destination point for recreation and tourism that would be close to the Mass street. There is so much potential for this area.
Thank you for asking this question. I applaud the recent efforts the city has taken to encourage biking and walking.
Name not shown inside City Limits July 30, 2015, 8:46 PM I'd like to see shared use paths have dashed yellow lines to help keep walkers, runners, cyclists to their right side of the path.
More signage at 27th/wakarusa/SLT warning drivers to look all ways for pedestrians.
Somehow find a way to connect the shared use path on the nw side of lawrence to the farmers turnpike.
Name not shown inside City Limits July 30, 2015, 10:50 AM I live in East Lawrence and I regularly walk and ride my bike with my husband and our toddler in town, and I would very much like to feel safer doing both.
I am very concerned about the behavior of drivers in Lawrence in two regards: 1. Texting while driving is rampant and there appears to be no enforcement of the law against it. Distracted drivers are one of the biggest hazards to cyclists and pedestrians (not to mention other drivers). This is a VERY serious problem in Lawrence. 2. More enforcement to prevent drunk driving. Recent incidents (North Lawrence; the Public Library) have demonstrated that this is very much a concern here, and as a pedestrian and a cyclist I feel very nervous when moving around at night because of the threat of drunk drivers.
Re: Biking - Lawrence needs more protected bike lanes and more signage reminding drivers to look for bicycles. - A protected (or at least wide) bike lane on Mass, south of downtown, is needed as it is currently very dangerous to ride a bike on Mass. - A marked bike lane or more signage and road markings on Connecticut between 15th and 7th is needed.
Re: Walking - Learnard has no sidewalk and drivers travel at very high speeds. - We need crosswalks along Connecticut (at 12th for example). - I have been harassed numerous times while jogging or biking alone during the day on the Burroughs Creek trail, and as a result I no longer use the trail alone. This is really unfortunate as it is a beautiful, protected path away from traffic. I know of other women in Lawrence who have had similar experiences.
Samantha Snyder inside City Limits July 29, 2015, 7:29 AM
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I do not think most drivers understand what sharrows are. I certainly feel no safer biking on a street with a sharrow than one without. We need more protected bike lanes, and ones that connect for full access to main activity hubs of town so that commuting via bike is a safe and realistic option.
Here are some appealing ideas from AARP and the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute on road design: http://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/tool-kits-resources/info-2015/13-short-range-livabilty-solutions.1.html
Name not shown inside City Limits July 28, 2015, 10:29 AM Share the road signs with an option to report drivers.
Improving some of the streets which still don't have curbs to be more walkable, for instance Sections of Leanard.
I would like to allow residence options for snow removal that live on major streets who receive excessive snow left by snow plows. For instance people whom have homes on K-10 in town sometimes have to remove snow that is 4 feet deep on their sidewalks adjacent to K-10. I feel that KDOT or the City snow plows that pile all their excessive snow on the sidewalks are unfairly making the landowners adjacent to the roadways dispose of their snow debris. I would like to see assistance, compensation, or certain homes opted out of the sidewalk snow removal law.
Nora Murphy inside City Limits July 28, 2015, 9:16 AM I would like a crosswalk that goes from the steps of St. John Church at 1234 Kentucky to the parking lot across the street from St. John Church. It is dangerous crossing the street there and it is not logical to expect people to go to the street corners to cross.
Secondly, I would like there to be "no parking" mid-way on the 600 block of Tennessee. When pedestrians cross from OWL to the train park, it is often difficult to visualize whether there is oncoming traffic due to big vehicles blocking the view.
Janet Majure inside City Limits July 28, 2015, 9:15 AM --Periodically survey all sidewalks and order repairs of hazards and elimination of obstructions such as limbs, overgrown plantings and falling-down fences. --Provide assistance to those who can't afford to make said improvements or are unable to do so themselves. --Educate public about and enforce laws pertaining to drivers' need to watch for and yield to pedestrians. a key area of concern: watching for pedestrians when making turns. Explaining operation/meaning of mysterious pedestrian crossing signals by Arts Center and on Tennessee and Connecticut would be nice too. --provide dedicated bicycle lanes or, even better, bike baths along key routes and when rebuilding or building
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Angie Babbit inside City Limits July 28, 2015, 9:06 AM Put up signs that say, "Share the Road. Driver not sharing the road? Dial *SHARE to report the license tag." Drivers will see that bikers can do something if they don't share, and other drivers can also report unsafe motorists.
Kasold is a divided 4-lane and there is no reason why I should ever feel crowded out by a vehicle, nor should motorists randomly honk, flip me off or otherwise harass me for taking up my lane. I usually opt for the sidewalk on Kasold, where one exists. The same goes for Wakarusa.
Name not shown inside City Limits July 28, 2015, 7:42 AM The bike lanes on 19th Street put bicyclists at risk, especially near the Barker roundabout though not only there. With the expected changes to 19th east of Harper, 19th west of Harper will become even more dangerous. Bike lanes should be wider and it would help to make 19th pedestrian friendly with traffic calming median strips (like those on Barker, perhaps).
Richard Heckler inside City Limits July 27, 2015, 11:49 PM Walking/Cycling Funding
Food for thought to keep our bodies and wallets healthier.
Pedestrian /cycling pathways dedicated funding should come from parts of existing resources. In order to provide more than sufficient dedicated funding for practical,protected and efficient commuter pedestrian/cycling travel throughout Lawrence,Kansas.
Funding not only for new pedestrian/cycling construction that which connects to existing resources we must consider ongoing maintenance.
By reorganizing revenue distribution from several tax dollar sources the community thereby circumvents the concept of “ new tax sources”. https://www.lawrenceks.org/sales_tax https://www.lawrenceks.org/finance/property_tax
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The entire Lawrence/Douglas County Community benefits from a commuter pedestrian/cycling system that which provides safe travel, promotes healthy bodies, reduced health care costs, more efficient use of tax dollars and economic growth as by products.
Rod Hernandez inside City Limits July 27, 2015, 8:59 PM I feel it should be a goal to provide safe routes from all outer neighborhoods to the hub (downtown) as well as a outer trail that circles the city. Both are vital to grow as a community concerned about health and commuting to the workplace.
Name not shown inside City Limits July 27, 2015, 6:31 PM I would like proactive retrofitting and construction of complete streets, construction of more roundabouts, development of a sound policy and implementation for sidewalk maintenance, and an aggressive bike-ped trails program to travel around the city and to destinations inside the city. At the project level, the proposed Mass Street road diet is a priority for me, and I would like to see roundabouts along 19th where they make sense for traffic calming and to ease congestion.
Tim Miller inside City Limits July 27, 2015, 3:53 PM I bike for daily transportation and never fail to be amazed at how far behind its peer cities Lawrence is on bike paths. I rarely use bike lanes on streets because they simply aren't very safe. Separate bike paths and multiuse paths (bike, walk) are strongly preferable to bike lanes and bike routes marked only by signs.
I see greatly improved bicycle/pedestrian accommodation a matter of basic equity. Most transportation mix studies show that pedestrians and bicyclists account for 10 to 20% of all local travel. Property taxes and sales taxes that we all pay support a transport system that is designed almost exclusively for motor vehicles. Unfair!
Name not shown inside City Limits July 27, 2015, 2:55 PM I can't speak, as a homeowner, of the current requirements for sidewalks. But it's fairly clear it needs to be addressed, especially in and around downtown.
I appreciate the focus on bike lanes and pedestrian trails throughout the city. More would be welcome. I can't speak for neighborhoods further from downtown, but as the 9th St project ramps up, why not reconsider how we manage bikes/pedestrians? The new bike lanes on 9th St (between Mass & Iowa) are nice, but why would we want all bike and car traffic on the same street? Wouldn't it be more effective to designate something like 8th St to be a bike/pedestrian corridor, and focus our sidewalk/street maintenance dollars there? It seems to me we have plenty of shaded, low-automobile traffic side streets, and it would be a waste of a resource to encourage
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Discussed many times before, but anything to improve the ratio of pedestrians to automobiles on Mass St would have my support. One way? Weekends only? Other ideas?
Paul Jefferson inside City Limits July 27, 2015, 1:25 PM I have cerebral palsy and sidewalks need to be kept in good repair.
Name not shown inside City Limits July 27, 2015, 12:33 PM All main roads should have multi-use paths on both sides, or at least one side, of the road rather than sidewalks and bike lanes (esp bike lanes squeezed out of car lanes). Neighborhoods with cul-de-sacs are passe and newer neighborhoods should be built on a grid that allows for pass-through walking and biking traffic. Sidewalks probably should become the responsibility of the city to replace and clear, as home and business owners (not all, but a few--it's no fun trying to walk in snow and ice via tiny tunnels of ice that just barely meet the letter of the law for "cleared") are not getting that job done. Most of all, more trees! If you want to make a walking/bike path or sidewalk pleasant in Kansas, shade is essential. All you have to do is walk 2.5 miles home from work at 1pm on an August afternoon in an unshaded area to appreciate the value of the enormous shade trees along Connecticut, Kentucky, or Tennessee.
Dorothy Yunuba inside City Limits July 27, 2015, 11:29 AM Lawrence has some nice dedicated paths for bicycles & joggers, but would like to see these existing routes linked together with each other more. I would especially like to see the bicycle path that starts out at Haskell and runs down to 11th street connected to the North Lawrence levee path with a new, pedestrian bridge.
Jamie Hofling inside City Limits July 26, 2015, 11:31 AM My partner and I cycle and walk most of the time for transportation. To make it a more encouraged and safer mode of transportation, I would like to see a path like the Boroughs Creek trail running east and west, winding around to avoid the steepest hills. Ideally there would be more bike paths where cyclists do not need to share the path with cars and do not need to constantly stop at traffic lights. Paths for biking and walking only are very effective in cities like Madison, WI. I would also like to see Mass St converted to a pedestrian and bicycle only path. This would serve as a safe way to commute north and south and would encourage more walking and biking downtown. I see more interest in alternative modes of transportation around the world and am glad to see the City interested in how to continue encouraging walking and biking. Putting in infrastructure for these alternative modes of transportation are key elements to attracting innovative and entrepreneurial-minded people that will help this city continue to progress.
Name not shown inside City Limits July 25, 2015, 10:01 PM All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 30 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities?
Areas around schools, say 1/2 mile to a mile, should have well-maintained sidewalks on both sides of the street and bike lanes to ensure children can safely walk/bike to school. Numerous routes to schools in the downtown and East Lawrence area fail to provide safe and maintained pedestrian friendly paths.
Suzan Hampton inside City Limits July 25, 2015, 9:14 PM Hi, we recently moved to East Lawrence from California where we are used to walking every day. In East Lawrence, it's really hard to walk because the sidewalks are in such bad shape: non-graded brick and lots of sidewalks are choked with grass. We end up walking in the street. And how on earth do people in wheelchairs get around?
My suggestion is to re-grade the sidewalks, putting back the same historic brick since it's lovely. Ideally, make some of the sidewalks 4' wide so two can walk abreast. When the brick is taken up to re-grade, install weed barrier underneath to prevent the grass/weeds from taking over and to avoid herbicide use.
Strategically choose a few through streets to install 4'+ wide concrete sidewalks so they're ADA-accessible and folks in wheelchairs can get to downtown, etc.
Chris Tilden inside City Limits July 25, 2015, 1:25 PM I would like to see a larger funded line item in the city budget for sidewalk and trail improvements. Priorities should include: funding improvements along routes highlighted by the Safe Routes for School project that are currently under development, completion of a trail "loop" circumnavigating the city (since so much of the loop has already been created with the K-10 and Burroughs Creek trails that are now almost connected together), and integrating Complete Streets elements into street reconstruction projects. An interconnected system of sidewalks, bike lanes, etc. needs to be visioned and implemented to make "active transportation" an option for getting to work, school, shopping, cultural and recreational amenities, and other priority destinations.
Robert Szabo inside City Limits July 25, 2015, 1:19 PM Construct more wide bike and walking sidewalks like we have in southwest Lawrence on CLinton Park way and Kasold. The bike lanes in Lawrence are too inconsistent. I am sure that the city can construct them because they always find space when they need it for roundabouts. I know that cyclists want their share of the road, but I find it too dangerous in Lawrence. I have ridden in the street for many years and we have a lot of very experienced riders who can manage fine, but I see a lot of riders out there who would be much, much safer on a biking/jogging path.
Name not shown inside City Limits July 25, 2015, 12:47 PM Most important: Continuous safe bike routes that don't unexpectedly become unsafe. The discontinuous ones
All On Forum Statements sorted chronologically As of October 4, 2015, 7:19 PM http://www.peakdemocracy.com/2934 Page 31 of 32 Bicycling and Walking What would you like to see the City of Lawrence do to encourage and support safe and accessible walking and bicycling for people of all ages and abilities? are okay for purely exercise and fun but are unacceptable for commuting. They discourage people from seriously considering getting around by bike. That itself also makes Lawrence less safe for cyclists because drivers are less used to us, do not look out for us, and do not treat us as another vehicle on the road, often ignoring right-of-way rules. Encouraging cycling by making it easier and safer will increase our numbers and that will further increase safety. Besides sidewalks or paths unexpectedly ending, it is also not always possible to find an "escape" path once a road becomes too dangerous for a bike. Other suggestions: Unlike some other serious cyclists, I do like the wide multi-use paths. I rarely ride on narrow, bumpy sidewalks, but I will gladly choose the wide multiuse paths whenever available. They are the most safe way to commute by bike. Lastly, potholes can be especially dangerous for cyclists, and there are too many of them.
David Speakman inside City Limits July 25, 2015, 12:45 PM Require landowners to fix broken sidewalks. Require businesses to create pedestrian cut-throughs instead of forcing us into driveways.
Name not shown inside City Limits July 25, 2015, 11:47 AM More perimeter paved trails are needed (to connect the entire circumference). Use of the river area for walking and biking paved trails would also be nice.
Kerry Wolfington outside City Limits July 24, 2015, 9:59 PM Involve the County Commission in a parallel manner in any of the issues targeted by the Task Force. Many if not all of these items should be equally important to County officials.
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