Some of the riders who participated already had been riding to work, but others had never tried it, she said.
Organizers planned to seek feedback from participants on ways to make the metro area safer for bikers.
The information will be used in developing a bike route map for the metro area.
I'm wondering if this is maybe, FINALLY the bike routes and lanes we've been waiting for.
Can anyone shine some light on this?
Last edited by StreetsOfOmaha on Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:59 am, edited 3 times in total.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
Interesting. I have never been to Activate Omaha's website before. Here is their story: Bicycle Commuter Challenge
WE had 306 participants from 27 teams log over 77,000 miles over the 14 week challenge. That a savings of approximately $11, 600 in gasoline! Think of the calories burned and the environmental benefits, as well!!!!
They have posted a series of newsletters there also - where I found:
Bikeable Communities!, the bicycle friendly community coalition, is setting up a September trip to Boulder, Colorado for selected city officials and a few bike advocates.
We want to take public policy decision makers to a city that has made a commitment to support bicyclists, pedestrians, and mass transit.
The goal is to show key officials how an integrated bicycle/pedestrian/transportation plan can be implemented and the benefits to the city. Boulder has many bicycle friendly facilities in place.
We think that having advocates from significant Omaha institutions to travel with the public officials will add to the positive effect of the trip.
Omaha World Herald wrote:Omaha's first bike route map is intended to help you get where you need to go. Activate Omaha, a nonprofit community health group, developed the map to get more people exercising and commuting by bike. About 5,000 free copies will be available at bike shops, libraries and other sites next month. Or to request one, e-mail [email protected].
I've been meaning to get my bike from my parents the last two times I've been home. I walk to work but would like to start riding the trails more. I need to start working on the beer belly before it gets out of control. :? Damn you tasty wheat beer!
Having just returned from a time in Southern California, I couldn't help but notice that many of the major roadways had dedicated bike lanes, often separated from the main motor vehicle lanes by a 4 or 5 foot wide painted stripe. And people used them! This was even true in hilly locations. Such lanes ought to be mandated in all new road construction projects here in Omaha...at least on major roadways.
BTW, gasoline was about $4 a gallon in Orange County, CA. And no one seemed to care about the price. Of course, it was Orange County... I also drove over 100 miles and never saw a single pothole! I guess their lack of freezing weather plays a role, but...not even one! I got back to Eppley and in less than 5 minutes my car was crashing into potholes on Abbot Drive. "Welcome Back Home" they screamed!
KAREN SLOAN WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:Mayor Mike Fahey and leaders from Activate Omaha and the city's cycling community announced this morning that a 20-mile bicycle street route is in the works.
Using bicycle lanes on existing city streets, the route will connect Riverfront Trail with the Keystone Trail from east to west, and the Creighton University campus down to the Henry Doorly Zoo from north to south.
The idea is to create street routes that allow cyclists to ride from the trails in central Omaha to downtown without having to use busy arterial roads such as Dodge Street.
This is Fan-|expletive|-tastic and about |expletive| time!!! Yay!
I'm sure it's been in the works for quite a while...but is it just me, or does it seem like something has clicked in the collective head of the current city administration recently?
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
nativeomahan wrote: Such lanes ought to be mandated in all new road construction projects here in Omaha...at least on major roadways.
-I would love to see that, but how do you pay for it? Every time I mention some sort of a license fee or tax for bikers, I get crucified. However, it seems counter-intuitive to encourage people to drive less, thereby resulting in less money for roads, all the while wanting to INCREASE spending on roads.
Either way, I wish they would make nicer trails, as my 5 year old LOVES to ride, but I will not take him on any roads.
Twiztid1 wrote:
I've really started to notice a lot more people using a bike for commuting purposes. The problem, as you pointed out, is that it's just way too dangerous to ride on most streets. Even residential streets can be scary. So a lot of people are riding on sidewalks which is not only inefficient but really dangerous too. Bike lanes would help out so much, especially on east-west roads.
Yep. My SO would love to bike from our home in Dundee to work downtown, but being very inexperienced at biking in traffic, he's really not sure what route he could take safely. I do wish they would do something about the problem! It doesn't make any sense that a large number of people need east-west trails to go from home to work, yet the nice trails in the metro are all north-south. A major WTH situation there.
yeah, I'm finished too with car payments, insurance, maintenance, gas prices and an uncertain future..
I've been carless for the last year and a half on purpose, and the more I think about it, the more I really think it is much more beneficial to stay that way..Especially with all the new transportation opportunities that are coming up...
I have been biking like crazy lately, my jeep isnt getting much use. I live right off Keystone so it would be awesome to be able to bike downtown. I have noticed a lot more people on the trails also, people who look like they are using them to commute rather than for recreation.
This may sound strange to some, but one thing a lot of employers could do to encourage bike-commuters is to make shower/changing facilities available to employees.
During the hot summer months, if I could ride to work a little early, and be able to shower there, I would TOTALLY do it.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
I have started biking to work also, and in SW Omaha, its tough. The bike paths only go so far, so its mainly residential streets and sidewalks down Millard Avenue, which can get scary...but its good for the wallet and good for the waistline. I'd LOVE to see some more bike paths, but it seems that adding them to the existing streets would be a challenge.
I stumbled upon a happy surprise tonight. Something which proves that Omaha's bike lane plans are alive and possibly closer than we think to reality.
From RDG's web site:
Bike Omaha - Bike Lane System Signage
As RDG assists the City of Omaha in planning and implementing new bike lanes throughout the city, work has begun to brand the bike lane system. Signage marking the route and providing wayfinding will also be developed.
To see a sample of the wayfinding signage/graphic, click the link. Then go to "Identity," then "Bike Omaha."
Needless to say, this is a VERY exciting discovery.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
I wonder if that logo will be used city-wide to mark the bike lanes. That would be pretty neat, and I think it would help to promote the pedestrian bridge as an Omaha icon.
So happy on both counts. A bike lane is a really good thing (I'm Martha Stewart!) and that sign is just lovely.
What needs to actually be done in order for them to be "bike lanes" though? A line along the side of the road, new sidewalks?
God, I just noticed that the last article on this, which was when the city announced that it would be INSTALLING this 20-mile bike lane system, was from a whole YEAR ago!
I REALLY do hope they're getting ready to roll this out this summer!
Justnick, often times, installing bike lanes is pretty simple. You paint the lanes and put up signage. However, sometimes traffic lanes need to be shifted, drainage grates need to be replaced (so that they're the non-crash inducing kind), etc.
As a form of protest if the city DIDN'T get off it's proverbial |expletive| and start installing bike lanes, I thought about getting out there and painting them in myself, preferably on some highly visible thoroughfare.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
...the city’s plan for a 20-mile bicycle street route is moving along. The project will create designated bicycle lanes on certain streets to allow more people to safely ride to work, the grocery store and other places to which they might normally drive. The lanes will be marked with a white line and will be on the right side of the road.
The City Council last week unanimously approved construction of a bike lane on South 32nd Avenue between Wright Street and Woolworth Avenue. That route should be done next year.
The plan calls for a commuter route through Benson to be the first one done; it’s scheduled to be completed this summer.
That route will start at 60th and Maple Streets in the Benson business district and snake southeast. It will go south of the Holy Name neighborhood, through Bemis Park and run along a stretch of Burt Street past Creighton University, and end downtown.
I'm elated by this news. Yay! It can't come soon enough. I'd love to see a comprehensive plan for ALL the roots that are being planned. They'll have to release a new bike map within the next few years to show the new routes. In the meantime, how about printing more of the current bike maps!!! I never got a copy!
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
They HAVE printed more of the Bicycle maps! I was able to pick one up at the DT library. Most bike shops, and probably other libraries would have them.
The design and usefulness of this map is really remarkable. It has tons of useful tips and safety info, plus inspiring quotes and suggested reading. And, it's printed on top-quality, waterproof and tear-resistant material.
And, my girlfriend actually helped design it when she was working at RDG...
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
ItsAllAboutMe wrote:16th street from Cuming st to Capital st has newly painted bike lanes on also new asphalt overlay.
Hmmm... Not very helpful if this doesn't connect to anything, but this might be the first leg of the Benson to downtown bike lane connection they had talked about. If so, that's great.
I drove this stretch of 16th Street after work, and IT'S TRUE!!! The street has been totally resurfaced, and they've added BIKE LANES IN EACH DIRECTION!!! in addition to north and south bound automobile lanes, parallel parking, and a central turn lane.
They look absolutely beautiful. I was so ecstatic and refreshed to finally see a "complete street" in Omaha!!!
I think you're right, Ben. It's got to be the first segment of what will eventually be a route linking Benson to Downtown.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
ItsAllAboutMe wrote:16th street from Cuming st to Capital st has newly painted bike lanes on also new asphalt overlay.
Actually, the bike lane ends two blocks north of Capital, and where the bike lanes are, the two lanes of traffic in each direction have been replaced with a center turn lane and one lane of traffic each way, with the bike lane between the traffic lane and curb parking, not exactly the most desirable of situations for bikers.
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."
The city would do well to also include some sort of public awareness campaign (billboards, TV spots, etc.) about how car drivers should treat the lanes, especially when they are parking in the parallel spots next to the bike lanes, i.e. look before you open your door.
And you're right. It's from Cuming St. to Chicago St., two blocks north or Capitol Ave. It's a significant strip, and it makes 16th St. look a lot less trashy. And it's just the beginning.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
Obviously, but if I had my druthers, I'd rather not have bike lanes on streets with curb parking, that's all I'm saying.
The real tragedy is that we were all allowed to get used to streets meant solely for automobiles in the first place.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
The lanes have now been completed the rest of the distance, and now extend the full distance from Cuming to Capitol.
AND, there were a couple cyclists using it already!!!
As Cuming Street construction is completed, I really bet they will include bicycle lanes, as I'm sure this is part of the initial Benson to Downtown route.
I can't wait!
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
