Biking advocates in Kansas City are understandably upset about City Councilwoman Teresa Loars insensitive comments following the death of a popular local bicyclist.
After Pablo Sanders Jr, was fatally struck by a car while biking on Christmas Eve, Loar was asked about the citys plans to address traffic and pedestrian fatalities.
Loars reply was, Unfortunately, people die in this city every day, and we just have to make sure that were keeping everything in perspective.
Loars words were poorly chosen and deserving of criticism. …. But instead of trying to punish Loar for one less-than-sympathetic statement, advocates should pressure the councilwoman and her colleagues to get serious about making this city safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.
The best way for cycling advocates to honor Sanders is to continue to push for implementation of the Complete Streets plan and a reopening of discussions about the stalled bike master plan.
Lucas and the City Council also should move forward with efforts to implement road diets that include incorporating bike lanes and other safety measures when some streets are resurfaced.
Investing in a public awareness campaign to educate drivers, cyclists and walkers about safety should be a priority as well.
Loar told The Star Editorial Board that her committee will be looking at the issue of bike safety. Cycling advocates should hold her to that.
The mayor said he is committed to working with colleagues to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Last year, at least 14 cyclists and pedestrians were killed in collisions in the city. The deaths could have been prevented, said Eric Rogers, executive director and co-founder of the cycling advocacy group BikeWalkKC.
These high-profile fatalities have forced people to focus on the issues, Rogers said.
City Council member Eric Bunch has now introduced Vision Zero, a proposal aimed at reducing traffic deaths to zero during the next decade. The measure is ambitious and potentially complicated. But its a goal worth pursuing, as Kansas City seeks to strike the right balance and meet the needs of drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
After all, a safer Kansas City is a win for everyone, no matter your mode of transportation.
