By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Squeaky wheels don’t always get the grease. But members of the Bowling Green Bicycle Safety Commission will soon have a chance to have their concerns heard as the city works on its Complete Streets plan.
The commission learned Tuesday evening that it will have an opportunity to meet with City Engineer Jason Sisco on April 5 at 6 p.m.
“They want to hear more from bicyclists,” explained Kristin Otley, city parks and recreation director and a member of the bike commission.
The Complete Streets project is an initiative to make city streets more accessible and safe for bicyclists and pedestrians – not just motorists.
When a Complete Streets meeting was held last week, there was a consensus that more input was needed from those in the community who pedal along city streets the most.
The bicycle group is realistic.
“We don’t imagine that we’re going to have bike lanes everywhere,” member Eileen Baker said.
In some cases, just a shoulder along the roadway would be nice, she added. She noted the narrow width of Napoleon Road, which leaves no room for error.
“I’m happy to ride in the shoulder,” Baker said.
In other cases, it would be helpful to just have a berm area with a bicycle painted on it.
Part of the Complete Street concept is to link bicyclists with “destinations” in the city, giving them useable routes to places like Bowling Green State University, all the city schools, park areas and downtown.
Baker pointed out how difficult it is to access the downtown area on a bicycle. It is illegal to ride on the sidewalks, and very dangerous to ride in the street, she said.
“You’ll either get doored or you’re going to get squashed,” she said.
And riding in the parking lots behind the businesses can be risky as well.
Members of the bicycle commission were asked to do some homework prior to their meeting with the city engineer. They were given copies of the bicycle route map printed by the city in 2014, and asked to check out those routes for their current functionality.
The bicycle commission has nine members appointed by the mayor, including representatives from the police division, parks and recreation department, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green High School and Bowling Green Junior High School. At least two members should reside on the east side of Main Street and two on the west side.
