Buckley defends bike path
Friday, the temporary bike path and expanded sidewalks on Main Street will open. This project gives us a look at what we can do to create a network of trails that connect our city and bring our neighborhoods together. I have four goals with this trial bike path.
First, this demonstration project can help determine whether the city should include a bike path and expanded sidewalks when it re-bricks Main Street.
Before we move forward with designing the rebricking of Main Street, we are exploring the options that could make it more attractive for local families, residents from outside the Historic District, tourists and consumers, and how to coordinate this project with the replacement of Hillman Garage.
Second, we must try new things if we are going to strengthen the economic heart of our city. Other cities are moving forward to attract families, businesses, and visitors by offering what they are looking for – unique dining and entertainment options and alternatives to carcentric societies and impersonal online shopping. Let's work together to make our historic city relevant for the next generation.
For years, we have talked about ways to make our town about people, not cars. The idea of a bike path on Main Street isn't a unique idea.
Cities as big as New York City and as small as Burlington, Vermont, have incorporated bike infrastructure on major thoroughfares. Studies show taking bold steps to make city centers more pedestrian and bike friendly provides a significant return on this investment.
Third, this project also includes expanded sidewalks. We should have as much seating as possible for our pedestrians to relax between shopping and dining that comes with an awesome view down to our harbor. If this temporary sidewalk expansion and café tables prove popular, this, too, could be included in the design of the re-bricking project.
Fourth, the Main Street bike path is the spine of a cross-city trail system that offers connectivity, activity, and mobility. The trail system will connect the B&A Trail to the Poplar Trail, Quiet Waters Park, and major employment centers at the Anne Arundel Medical Center, the Annapolis Towne Centre, and Westfield Mall.
An expanded trail system will offer residents healthy, active options, as well as provide safer routes for bicycle-based commuters.
Imagine if you could get on this trail system in Parole and safely bike into the Historic District with your family. This is not just about a bike path. It's not even about bikes. It's about an experience.
The demonstration project helps answer the questions: How do we get people stay on Main Street longer? How do we get people out of their cars sooner? How do we make better use of garages that are near empty sometimes?
The distance from our garages to the city center is less distance than the walk from Nordstrom to Sears at the mall.
Our city voted for new ideas and action last November. Doing nothing is not who I am, and it is not what I promised. Trial and error is how we learn things.
For too long, we have studied and debated ideas without action. We took major risks on West Street years ago, and we fought for street closures for festivals and Dinner Under the Stars. People are now traveling from both near and far to enjoy Wednesday nights and First Sundays.
I think kids and people are more important than cars. If you agree with me, then join me from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday for Annapolis Bike Day at City Dock.
If you don't, opponents to the bike path are holding a protest at 2 p.m. Saturday also at City Dock.
In the end, everyone's voice matters and working together makes for a better community.