News 8 Austin:Â People chime in over the Nueces Bike Boulevard
1/14/2010 8:06 AM
By: News 8 Austin Staff
People in Austin weighed in on the Nueces Bike Boulevard Project Wednesday night. Bike boulevards are streets designed to accommodate bicycles and reduce car traffic.
The plan would use signs and traffic devices like roundabouts, traffic circles and narrower lanes to discourage drivers. The League of Bicycle Voters is hoping to get input from the community.
“We have to consider the residents. There is a mix of uses in the area. There’s office, retail, residents and so we have to consider all those needs which are very different,” City of Austin spokesperson, Annick Beaudet said.
But bicyclists think this plan would set Austin in front of other cycling towns.
“I think this will make Austin the big city for bicycling. Maybe we can even surpass Portland. That’s my hope,” cyclist Alonso Adearaya said.
The boulevard would extend from Third Street to MLK Boulevard. Some businesses along the route object to the idea. They’re worried it will hurt business, make them liable for bike accidents and even ruin the historic nature of existing buildings.
The next meeting is planned for February 24 at the Pease Elementary gymnasium. After that staff will look at all input and take it to city council for a final decision.
