The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
Backing more bike lanes is easier than building them, it turns out.
The City Council approved its second resolution in less than two years this week supporting cyclists. This time the council asked staff to consider bike lanes, where feasible, not only in road repavement projects, but also when building new roads.
The first resolution didn't go far enough, said Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson, who sponsored both resolutions.
"It reinforces what we've done before," said Councilman Bill DeSteph. "When the City Council puts two ordinances through for the same thing, at some point somebody is going to listen."
The city didn't include bike lanes for any of last year's road repavement projects because many had already been designed and the engineering work complete, said Deputy City Manager Dave Hansen.
Beach staff is looking to add a foot or two of asphalt for cyclists on a portion of Shore Drive and Indian Creek Road during planned maintenance work in the coming year, Hansen said.
The staff is also reviewing its list of proposed new roads to determine whether bike lanes can be included and whether some bike routes need new signs or stripping, Hansen said.
But adding 2 feet of asphalt for cyclists is complicated and can get expensive, he said.
In some cases, the city would have to redesign the road to make room for cyclists, buy more land for right of way, and deal with the expense of moving mailboxes.
"It's a lot more difficult than deciding we're going to do this and then a 2-foot pavement shows up," Hansen said.
Steven Zeligman, president of the Tidewater Bicycle Association, praised the council for passing the resolutions.
"It's great, but it's not the end result," Zeligman said. "We need funding to make it happen."
DeSteph had suggested setting aside about $5 million to make roads safer for cyclists in a $100 million package of unfunded projects that would likely require a tax increase. City Council will hold a meeting to discuss this list of projects in October.
But DeSteph said he opposes raising taxes next year to pay for more bike lanes.
City officials should look for federal grants or trim the budget instead, he said.
"I don't think we need to raise taxes right now," DeSteph said. "Our families can't afford it."
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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Bicycling in Hampton Roads
I don't have a problem bicycling in Hampton Roads. I ride everywhere with no problems. I have rode a bicycle for many years. I see the problems with motor vehicles. They can't seem to get through intersections effectively and have difficulty braking and accelerating. The repairs and fees are expensive and have much liability. I think these problems outway the usefulness of the motor vehicle. I think people over do the convenience of motor vehicles and later have their health suffer by it. I feel sorry for people, because the motor vehicle has weakened them. It is a false prophecy of modern progress. It is a shame the we are not stronger. I would help anyone break away from the addiction of modern times.
sure we can put personal property tax on bikes
and i mean all bikes. lets see what happens when kids get disappointed cuz their parents cant afford to buy bikes for them cuz now they have to pay for personal property taxes on them. people really need to think before they speak.
Bike Paths
If you really think the so called "Bike Paths" is any safer for cyclist you have no clue and have never tried riding on them. They are full of moms and strollers, there are broken beer bottles and other forms of trash.
Why all the hate for cyclist? Are we not your neighbors, friends co-workers? We pay the same taxes you pay. We have to follow the same rules of the road that you do. Educate your friends and kids, it is all in the Virginia Drivers handbook, cyclist are allowed on all roads except where posted and highways.
If you are afraid that my bike riding is going to delay you in getting somewhere leave 5 minutes earlier that way you will arrive 4 minutes and 50 seconds earlier than you had planned.
Antother item regarding who pays for what. . .
My wife and I have money that goes for schools for kids I don't have , boat ramps, for boats I don't have, and I'm not a redneck fisherman, and for thousands of miles or roads I don't traverse, so get over it. A two foot swath of concrete benefits cyclists and motorists so why the negativity? For the knuckle-dragging state of Virginia to get into the 21st century, it will take much more than a third crossing for the HRBT, and money WILL HAVE to be spent for the good of the state.
The perfect reply. . .
Read the link below, with my reply to the best comment I've heard on why lowly educated drivers feel as they do regarding cyclist:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?p=2357641&posted=1#post2357641
I posted this Pilot article to be seen by others in a larger forum in an effort to see why people in this city are so backward.
Uh ...
"Lowly educated" is appallingly bad grammar. It's a phrase that could only be conjured by one who fits its clumsy description.
Two more feet of pavement.
Adding two more feet of pavement to narrow roads makes a lot of sense not only for cyclist but for everyone else as well.
The picture that accompanies this story speaks volumes.
The picture that accompanies this story speaks volumes. Just look how far many of the cyclists are way over in the roadway. No car can safely pass them without going into the oncoming lane. Forget trucks and vehicles with trailers. Ninety percent of local cyclists have an attitude that they are above the rules of the road. Most do not stop at stop signs and go through red lights. Share the road goes both ways. Cyclists have to give respect in order to receive it. There is a reason they have the reputation they do. Poor choices generally produce poor results. Do not ride where it is unsafe to do so.
Wouldn't say 90 percent
Santa I agree with your comment except the 90 percent part. I'm a former bicyclist who gave it up because of too many close calls with cars on the road. I've ridden in large groups and yes, there are the folks who ride way out in the road but they are a small percent. I'd say 10 percent don't follow the rules of the road. However, that 10 percent are so irritating that they seem to make up 90 percent of the cyclists.
The Real Issue:
Quoting from someone closely involved with the issue "The article slants the facts regarding how road funding works. It does not take a separate allocation of funds when wide curb lanes, bike lanes, or shoulders are part of an existing capital project. When has a road shoulder or sidewalk been funded separately? Where is the debate over the right of way and construction costs for side paths, which are far more expensive?
In addition, the underlying proposal discussed with the city does not require more right of way, which is by far the biggest cost. Some road projects on the boards have 200 ft right of ways, of which only 100 ft are needed for the road. The rest is landscaping. And someone’s saying they can’t find 4 ft of landscaping to give up?"