Jeudi

With all the work to spruce up the streets for the Super Bowl, some residents believe Mayor Mitch and other city officials have neglected vehicles of the two-wheeled variety. The city is reconsidering the layout of Decatur Street, and the current plans only include bike lanes on three blocks of the busy stretch. Local nonprofit Bike Easy took on the cause, and they’re holding a rally tomorrow to send a message to the Administration.

The event, dubbed, “Danger Decatur” will take place tomorrow at Artillery Park, from 3pm-6pm. Across from Jackson Square, bike advocates can show their support by showing up.  

Bike Easy is also circulating an online petition, sending a message to Mayor Mitch that, “Decatur Street is not a Complete Street!” Organizers cite the demand from automobile drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians for bike lanes on either side of the road. In this case, bike lane advocates are pushing for such accommodations on Decatur from Canal to Elysian Fields.

Bike Easy’s Executive Director Jamie Wine said he doesn’t understand the city’s reticence about bike lanes. “Addressing bike issues makes the streets safer for everyone—vehicles, elderly people, families, walkers—it relieves congestion,” said Wine.

“We bugged the Regional Planning Commission to do a study for us about the effect of bike lanes, and they determined that they improve the flow of traffic, increase pedestrian safety, and make road conditions better for everyone,” explained Wine. “We thought we had it in the bag, but the final plans for Decatur only include bike lanes on three of the eight-block project.”

Wine is bewildered by the City’s response. “I don’t understand it. The arguments for bike lanes is so strong, and the City still opposes them,” said Wine. “The current plans create a kind of lane to nowhere, it’s in front of the World War II Museum in the CBD.”

Citing the city’s Complete Streets Policy (PDF file), Bike Easy and their supporters contend that such limited bicycle access is incongruent with the city’s newly adopted goals. The CSP demands that, “every transportation project undertaken….will take into consideration the needs of all potential users, and strives to maximize safety for all.”

The policy was created with the help of District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer, Deputy Mayor Cedric S. Grant, Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Manager Dan Jatres, and more city officials.

Palmer’s Chief of Staff Vincent Rossmier gave NoDef a statement from her office.

“As the author of the complete streets legislation, she would like to see the principles implemented everywhere possible, including along Decatur. She is entirely supportive of bike lanes, especially with the vast number of pedestrians and all the different means of transportation that come together, that whatever future plans occur, need to incorporate the goals of the Complete Streets Policy.”