Fox11AZ.com: Tucson looking to extend bicycle friendly features across town
fox11az.com
Posted on July 26, 2011
TUCSON, Ariz. — Tucson is once again being noted as one of the nation’s most bicycle friendly cities.
A recent USA Today article cited the “sweeping views” from the Old Pueblo’s cycling paths.
The west end of the University Bicycle Boulevard at University and Stone is one of the most bicycle friendly spots in the city. Now the city’s working to expand its bicycle friendly features across the corridor.
Between the drivers and the bikers, the University Bike Boulevard sees a lot of traffic.
“If I need to get east-west, this is what I take,” said cyclist Kathleen Yetman.
Kathleen Yetman rides along the corridor everday. She’s excited to see more bicycle-friendly features pop up across the path.
“I think it’s going to be great. I think people are really going to appreciate it and I hope it does increase ridership a little bit,” said Yetman.
At a public meeting Monday night, bicyclists like Kathleen got a chance to see how the city plans to do that. From new signage and speed humps to a new traffic signal on Swan.
“When you get further to the east side, ridership goes way down and we think it’s because of the lack of safe crossings, like we don’t have signals on the far east side,” said City of Tucson Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Mgr. Tom Thivener.
“Those crossings are wonderful, they get you across really busy intersections safely and I think if we had more of those people will feel safe and comfortable riding,” said Yetman.
The boulevard spans seven miles from main avenue to wilmot road. The city hopes more signs along the stretch will help the thousands of bicyclists who use it everyday and encourage others to enjoy the ride.
“I think when people see more bikes out they realize they can do it too and that it is safe and it’s sort of a win win situation,” said Yetman.
Bicyclists who attended Monday night’s meeting filled out comment forms asking what type of improvements they’d like to see for the corridor.
The city will take all comments into consideration and finalize plans in the next few weeks.
They hope to start construction in three to six months.
