Bikeways plan puts focus on safety
City seeks input through survey
Bicyclist enthusiast and concerned residents attended an open house on Thursday hosted by the city in an effort to encourage input on the Yuma Bikeways Plan 2018. As the plan is being updated, the city is seeking help in identifying potential new bikeways, areas where improvements can be made to the bike network and opportunities for hubs of cycling activity.
“Public input is critical,” said Naomi Leeman, the city’s planning consultant.
Community members, whether they are bicyclists or not, are invited to fill out an online survey and view the interactive map now through March 31.
The city has received more than 150 responses so far. Survey takers have included 33 percent women and 67 percent men of varying ages. Most reside in the city, but a few respondents live in the Foothills and a handful are winter visitors.
Among the survey takers, the top reasons they bike is exercise and health and simple enjoyment. When asked what prevents them from biking more, the top reasons included: not enough bikes paths, lane or designated routes; unsafe/unlawful motorist behavior; bikeways/roadways in poor condition; and not feeling safe riding in traffic.
The city currently has 50 miles of bikeways, 17 miles of bike paths, 16 miles of bike lanes, and 17 miles of bike routes. A bike path is an off-street path that is physically separated from the motorized traffic. A bike lane is a portion of the roadways designated by striping, pavement markings or signs indicating that it’s for the exclusive use of cyclists. A bike route is a designated low-traffic street with signage alerting motorists and cyclists.
Since 2009, the city has built 10 miles of bike lanes and 3.5 miles of multi-use paths, designated 1 mile of bike routes and added two bike crossings. As a result, the city was named a Bicycle Friendly Community Bronze Level in the fall.
“That’s a big success and publicity for Yuma,” Leeman said.
The proposed plan touches on connectivity; safety; accessibility and convenience; and information and education. The connectivity component includes the Bikeways Network Plan, project priorities, implementation and funding details, and design standards.
The plan proposes destinations
where riders want and need to go for future expansion. It includes commercial centers, employment centers, schools, parks and bus routes.
The draft Bikeway Network Plan is the current long-range plan of the city’s vision. It’s the heart of the plan,” Leeman said. It proposes 250 miles of bikeways, including 53 miles of bike paths, 165 miles of bike lanes and 32 miles of bike routes.
The plans also addresses safety, policies and maintenance standards. Between 2004 and 2013, the city had 117 serious crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians, including 32 fatal crashes and 85 incapacitating crashes.
Of all fatal crashes in the Yuma metropolitan region, 83 percent of the bicyclist involved crashes took place during the dark and low light conditions.
The proposed plan recommends law enforcement campaigns targeting the most dangerous areas and suggests training police officers on bicycling issues. It also proposes establishing a program of regularly inspecting and maintaining bicycle facilities.
The plan also proposes improvements to accessibility and convenience, such as adding more bicycle
parking, connections to transit and working to increase ridership among schoolchildren, tourists, recreational riders and commuters.
Leeman noted the city wants to make sure riders can get on bike paths easily, that they can take their bikes on transit and that they can park their bikes.
It also proposes information and education ideas, such as promotional materials, Bike Month activities, education programs and increasing bicycle tourism.
As the plan is developed, the public will have more opportunities to review and comment. Future opportunities to give feedback will take place in the summer when a draft document will be available for review. In the fall the planning and zoning commission will hold a public hearing. In the fall or winter, the council will also hold a hearing.
To fill out the survey, go to https://cityofyuma.mysocialpinpoint.com/bikeways-plan.
The current Bicycle Facilities Master Plan adopted in 2009 and bike map are available on the city’s website http://www.yumaaz. gov/community-development/bikeways-of-yuma-. html.
For more information, please contact City of Yuma Community Planning at (928) 373-5175 or email bikewaysplan@yumaaz.gov.