Proposed Bike Trail

I was very pleased to see this article about a proposed bike path in the Tribune recently.  This seems like a very good use of the funding that we have received from the federal government.  

The proposed trail would be in a suburban area that is home to a large number of families.  It will connect these subdivisions to our second largest high school.  Offering students the chance to commute to school is an important part of laying the foundation for future bicycle commuters.  In order for children to experience the sense of self-sufficiency that a bicycle can offer, their parents must give them the freedom to get around by bicycle.  An essential component of that permission is the perceived safety of commuting by bicycle.

Some of the roads that this proposed bike path would connect are roads that have been previously reviewed in this blog, namely Providence and Grindstone Parkway.  As previously described, Providence is a large road with high speed limits, a terrible shoulder, and no bike lane.  Grindstone is a bit better.  It offers a decent bike lane, but probably has too high of a speed limit and too much traffic for parents to feel comfortable about allowing their children to ride on it.  As I understand it, this new bike path would offer commuters the opportunity to bypass Providence for at least two miles.  If it further connects to the MU Recreation Trail, as indicated, it could also provide a safe way for children to commute from the outskirts of town into the downtown area where they are most likely to hang out.

I have previously mentioned that I don't believe the recreational trail system to be a viable rout for bicycle commuters.  However, I hadn't considered that children and teens might use it as a commuting route.   There is an essential difference between young commuters and adults.  Quite simply, children and young adults are not as likely to be concerned about getting a bit dirty.  Furthermore, as this two mile stretch of trail is going to be paved, it is useful for adults as well, even if the rest of the trail system isn't.

I am glad to see the city investing in a project of this type.  It represents a realization that simply painting lines on the road isn't always enough to create a safe and viable method of bicycle commuting.  The proposed rain gardens also ensure that this will not only be a practical route for people to commute on, but an enjoyable one as well.  Expect to hear more about this project as it progresses.  In the meantime, I'll be looking forward to traversing the finished project.