Humboldt council members last week rejected by the narrowest of margins (4-3) a proposal to mark a multi-user lane on Ninth State to provide what proponents said would be safer use of the street by primarily bicycle riders.
The Register never argues with local democratic decisions after the fact. In this case it would be good to consider alternatives.
The reason is kids, and adults, will continue to ride bicycles on Ninth Street, and some provisions should be made to make their use as safe as possible. Kids being kids often are wont to take up more of a street than they need; motorists usually are cognizant, and our fervent hope is that will be enough to prevent a tragic accident.
Not marking a multi-user lane isn’t going to change reality. So, what should be done?
Chief of Police Brian Dillow is receptive to ideas that might help educate youngsters, as are parents. Riding a bicycle safely on public streets is one that can’t be over-emphasized.
Sharrows were mentioned, and they would give some warning to motorists that Ninth Street is a route preferred by bicyclists going about town for any number of reasons, including pure pleasure. City Administrator Cole Herder told the Register bicycle racks at Humboldt’s swimming pool often overflow. Being at the south end of town, a frequent route to the pool is Ninth Street.
Some streets already have the bicycle graphic, as do a number in Iola. For visitors they give a route — somewhat interrupted today, from the end of the Southwind Trail toward Humboldt’s remarkable Neosho River Park. Adding sharrows on Ninth Street — and others leading to the park — would seem to be a given, at least as an indicator for someone who knows nothing of Humboldt’s geography.
Rebuilding and adding sidewalks on one side of Ninth Street, with the usual grass strip along the parking as a buffer, was broached at the council meeting. That probably would be excessively expensive and in some cases require accord from private property owners.
Compassion dictates continued dialogue and inventive proposals.
Thrive Allen County, which encouraged the multi-user lane from the start, should be enlisted to help come up with options. Part of Thrive’s mission is to improve the health of the county’s residents. Riding a bicycle, walking and jogging are three forms of exercise in which a good many people — young, old and in-between — may participate at no or marginal cost.
What proponents should do is not accept the multi-user lane rejection as finality, rather continue to think of ways to make Humboldt more of a destination of visitors and as conducive as possible to residents whose interests are hitched to two wheels.
— Bob Johnson
