The desire for bicycle lanes in Iola may not be the issue, but safety concerns over the lanes were at the forefront of Iola City Council members’ minds during Monday night’s meeting. In other business:
Thrive Allen County Executive Director David Toland brought an amended proposal before the council, suggesting a bicycle lane be painted on South Washington Avenue, from Broadway to Vine Street. The lane would be painted outside of the curbside parking area, and on the right side of the traffic lanes.
“It (the street) was laid out for multiple forms of transportation,” Toland said.
He said the width of Washington is more than adequate, based on the Kansas Department of Transportation’s bicycle regulations, leaving room on both sides for cars to park, drive and share the roadway with cyclists.
Council members disputed the fact that a painted lane would prove to be a safer option for cyclists, particularly children.
“We are trying to jam too much into the middle of the street,” council member Joel Wicoff said. “I like the concept, but we have to be careful.”
Wicoff said one of his major concerns was over the fact that people oftentimes do not pay attention when they are opening their car doors after parking. He said it is inevitable that a child would be hit by a car door.
Don Becker echoed Wicoff’s concerns, saying he regularly sees cyclists that do not pay attention to traffic. Those wary of the lanes said they believe the lanes give a false sense of security to cyclists, making them vulnerable to traffic accidents.
Toland said he believes the cyclists are already on the roadways, and a bicycle lane would only heighten the awareness of bicycles on the road. He cited the example of the pedestrian crosswalk signs in different intersections throughout the city.
“Could they have been done better? Yes,” Toland said of the signs. “But, I definitely feel safer with them there, than before when there was nothing there.”
Becker suggested work be done on the sidewalks to make them more accessible to bicycles and pedestrians, thus keeping them out of the roadways.
Council member Steve French objected, saying just as much danger exists to pedestrians on sidewalks if bicycles are thrown into the mix.
“Sidewalks aren’t the answer either,” French said. “We need to come up with a compromise.”
Toland offered that bicycle lane planning could be reviewed by Becky Pepper, the person in charge of bicycle regulations for the KDOT.
Skyrocketing childhood obesity rates make the issue too important to ignore, Toland said.
“Iola has an opportunity to differentiate itself, to continue to differentiate itself,” with the bicycle lanes, Toland said.
The council decided to table any action until more information could be gathered from KDOT, as well as other suggestions from Pepper.
— The Community Development Block Grant program was approved to make a $89,043 payment for the renovation done to four different homes in Iola.
— The mill and overlay project proposal was approved by the council for 2013. The project includes four different sections: Carpenter Street — from Cottonwood to Kentucky Street (1), Jackson Avenue — from Cottonwood to First Street (2), Jefferson Avenue — from Broadway to Neosho Street (3) and Broadway Street — from State to Buckeye Street. The estimated cost of the project is $219,040.29.
— Bids will be solicited to appoint an official city engineer to be held on retainer when needed.
— The contract for the municipal band has been renewed at the cost of $6,500 for 2013.
— A motion was passed to accept the donation of an old machine used to make bricks around the turn of 20th century, that will be transported to be put on display in Elm Creek Park South. The machine was donated by Don Britt, and city crew will help to transport the machine.
— Discussions for a new trailhead for the Prairie Spirit Trail were held, and council members decided to include it with budget discussions for 2014. The new trailhead would be just west of town on U.S. 54. The approximate cost for the trailhead, including tables, shelter and other amenities would be $9,818.
The next joint meeting with Allen County Commissioners regarding the EMS merger is tentatively set for May 6 at the Dr. John Silas Bass North Community Building.
Bicycle lanes create concern
