Bike NWA Project public input meeting scheduled

BELLA VISTA — The city is hosting a public input and kickoff meeting where residents and businesses are invited to take part in an innovative transportation project that will see the continued construction of protected bike lanes built in Northwest Arkansas.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Cooper Elementary School, 2 Blowing Springs Road.

Funded by the Walton Family Foundation, and in partnership with Benton County, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission and the Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks, the venture is to create a demonstration project that will connect the Lake Bella Vista Trail with the Blowing Springs trails via a combination of protected bike lanes and off-road trails.

The project will be implemented with the technical assistance of the Street Plans Collaborative, an award-winning urban planning, design and advocacy firm with experience helping cities implement needed transportation projects with a fraction of the budget and shorter timelines than conventional projects.

“We have had exceptionally positive responses already from our residents about the new public trail system here, and now we are looking forward to working with the community on this project to help us grow and enhance our city and our region even more,” said Mayor Peter Christie.

The community is encouraged to participate in the Bike NWA demonstration project and help guide the ongoing development of this project. The Sept. 28 event is in Cooper Elementary School's cafeteria. For more information, contact Chris Suneson at csuneson@bellavistaar.gov or (479) 268-4980.