Annapolis mayor shifts gears on bike lane test
Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley has halted a controversial bike lane pilot project along the city’s Main Street after facing pressure from business owners.
Buckley had advocated for the bike lane and sidewalk extension project and touted it as street feature that would point Annapolis in the direction of other cities embracing both bicycles and cars. The lane included a design to allow public cafe tables and chairs, but required the loss of some parking spaces.
The project began last month and was scheduled to run through Oct. 19. But it upset downtown businesses and residents who said it was rolled out without adequate public input and without consultation with the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.
Last month, as the bike lane was rolled out, supporters hosted an evening bike ride through the city — while dozens of protesters gathered around Church Circle to oppose the new lane.
At an afternoon news conference Monday, Buckley explained the decision to halt the project followed a meeting last week with merchants. He said many were concerned about its potential impact on parking and traffic during the United States Sailboat Show, which runs Oct. 4-8.
“They expressed their concern with Mayor Gavin Buckley answered questions about the Main Street bike lane. the bike path during the boat show, which the merchants consider their Super Bowl. I had to take into account these stakeholders, and merchants are very important to me,” Buckley said. “I need to be a leader who can listen.”
Buckley said he would continue pursuing change, but do so with input from residents and business owners. He said he plans to meet monthly with the downtown retailers to form a committee to explore alternate options for Main Street — such as reversing traffic, creating a pedestrian plaza during a rebricking project and expanding Hillman Garage.
“My record is not hurting business, my record is helping business,” he said. “And if the merchants are telling me I’m hurting their business, I have to listen to that.”
Rick Lepski, owner of Eyes On Main, said in a recent interview that he and other merchants have retained attorneys and are prepared to take legal action if the city doesn’t reimburse them for losses.
At Monday’s press conference, Lepski and other business owners watched from the curb.
Kostas Alexakis, who hosted last week’s meeting between Buckley and merchants at his restaurant, O’Brien’s Oyster Bar & Grillfish, said the fight over the bike lane has “exposed a strong and determined merchant group that is willing to fight to preserve character” of the city .
He said the city should look to other cities, such as Alevandria, Va., that have engaged in similar projects.
“We can learn from Alexandria’s efforts to upgrade the experience without damaging the charming character of this very unique city,” he said.
The city has gathered data on the number of bikes that used the lane, though it’s not yet available. Officials say they are also gathering input from residents via a survey posted to the Annapolis website, and will host a public meeting to discuss the issue in the coming weeks.