There are available options that would still allow Broad to be a "Complete Street" while allowing all users to be accommodated. It is unbelievable that proponents of the bike lanes on Broad are asking residents and business owners for a concession that would be unheard of in any other urban, commercial area of Central Ohio. One only needs to look at the number of threads here, with comments from area business owners, to see the importance of parking.
As to bike lanes, none of the following have been adequately addressed by any proponent:
1) Parking alternatives; several public-private partnerships existed with off street lot owners and the city several years ago. These provided funding for repair and maintenance of existing surface lots in exchange for public access along the W. Broad corridor. These have since expired and no renewal of these agreements have taken place. From the meeting notes and minutes I have read, the mobility study team did not consider or discuss these agreements or their renewals. Most of the "available off street parking" cited by the planning team is currently being used by private business for their patrons or in such a state of disrepair that they are unusable at this time.
2) Bike lane safety; while touted for serving the average joe well I have yet to hear how these bike lines will serve someone traveling the very short distance (see my map here of the exact distance) when the lane ends. For the small area they will be installed, they may offer some benefit but will dump a cyclist out onto W. Broad with no "protection".
Sharrows would provide an excellent compromise to bike lanes, guiding cyclists to proper lane placement and creating awareness with motorists. It would still accomplish the goals of complete streets, since CS makes no specific recommendation as to the type of infrastructure.
There are additional solutions if we turn our attention away from "forcing" cyclists on W. Broad. The same Bikeways Plan that proponents cite for the bike lanes, also proposes an extension of the Camp Chase Rail Trail along the rail tracks that currently define the boundaries of Highland West and West Gate. Tied into the Hilltop Connector, which is already under construction, this would allow westside cyclists a safe alternative and connection to the city trail system. For those worried about nighttime safety, traffic volume would be lower on W. Broad during off peak hours allowing Broad to be used by more cyclists.
Above all, there are far more pressing issues in the neighborhoods surrounding W. Broad that should be addressed prior to these types of projects. Safety is a major concern of the residents and I can imagine they would love to see this same attention the bike lanes are getting paid to more important matters.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus.