More than 260 people have signed a petition circulated by Bainbridge Greenways in a grassroots effort to get the City Council to change its mind about a bi-directional bike path.
The organization’s steering committee, in a letter to the council, says such a path from Wyatt Way to Eagle Harbor Drive is the only way to have a truly bikeable, walkable city.
On July 11 the council approved 5-6 foot one-way lanes on both sides of the road, rather than a 10-11 foot bi-directional path on one side of the road.
The committee’s letter says the approved plan lacks safety measures for kids, less-experienced cyclists and walkers to use the path. It says the chosen option favors existing cyclists, defeating the goal of the number of people biking and walking.
In the 4-3 council vote, which went contrary to expert recommendations and some cycling organizations, members pointed out a lack of safety on hills.
To fix that, the Greenways petition asks for a 3-foot-wide barrier between the trail and traffic; a 6-7 foot wide downhill lane for speedier cyclists along Wyatt, along with a 5-foot uphill lane; a 1-2 foot wide separation between people going in different directions on the trail; and a shoulder along the downhill side of Bucklin opposite the two-way trail for cyclists who prefer to use that.
In public comments during the council meeting Aug. 8, Barb Zimmer said the city has to get this route right because, “It’s a crucial path to Island Center.”
Susan Loftus said they want to keep the discussion alive because this shows, “How the public process can fail the broader community.” She added this decision will affect transportation on BI for decades.
Comments from petition signees include:
•Carlos Field-Bennett: My brother rides a bike, and this will make it safer for him.
•Ann Lovejoy: Safer path options will encourage more use and reduce accidents.
•Marye Domink: The city should not exclude kids and those who need safer pathways just because a small group was louder than others.
•Carol Hendry: We need to make BI more bike and pedestrian friendly to meet emissions goals and increase multi-modal transportation.
•Kathy Kalstrup: Safety and access are important, and this will improve both.
