Mayor Stephen J. Luecke today announced 10.6 miles of new bicycle routes planned for completion in 2010, including the first painted bike lanes in the heart of downtown.
Plans to add newly striped lanes along Jefferson Boulevard and South Street, and to upgrade a previously announced segment of Colfax Avenue to painted lanes signal the heightened visibility of bicycling in South Bend, especially by bicycle commuters.
But the most dramatic change in the fourth year since the mayor called for creating a 50-mile network is the extent to which that network is taking shape. When this year's work is completed, a cyclist could begin on Olive Road at the city's northwest edge and ride a continuous path without leaving the network all the way to the southern point of York Road. And the cyclist could have several courses from which to choose in getting there.
"The whole purpose of adding at least 10 new miles of lanes and routes each year is to create a safe place, increase bicycle riding, reduce road congestion and enhance our quality of life," Luecke said. "Beyond the goal for 50 miles by the end of 2011, our work will continue toward making South Bend a bicycle friendly community."
Luecke also used the occasion to proclaim May as "South Bend Bike Month," a month that will be marked on Sunday, May 23, by the first Bike the Bend, a 30-mile non-competitive recreational ride, followed by Bike to Work Week May 24-28. "Together with the Bike Michiana Coalition, the City of South Bend has had great support and advocacy from our bicycle community to make it easier and safer for residents to choose to travel by bike," the proclamation said.
In his 2007 State of the City address, Luecke issued a directive to create a 50-mile network by the end of 2011, implementing at least 10 miles per year. When the 2010 segments are completed, it will include 45.4 miles since the mayor's 2007 directive and more than 50 miles including paths previously in place. That also means that completed 2010 routes will bring South Bend more than halfway to a 90.8-mile network of lanes, trails and routes envisioned by bicycling advocates and City planners.
"Among Indiana's five largest cities, South Bend has more miles of bike lanes than any place but Indianapolis," said City Bicycle Coordinator Chris Dressel. "We're proud of the progress to date and the support we've received from the bicycle community."
The new routes announced for 2010 include:
- Angela Boulevard, between Portage Avenue and Notre Dame Avenue – A signed "Share the Road" route for much of its length, with the exception of a new separated path between Portage and Riverside Drive and a segment between Lafayette Boulevard and Pokagon Street that is yet to be determined.
- Ardmore Trail, between Lincolnway and Bendix – Shared route.
- Byron Drive – Shared route between Miami Street and York roads.
- Columbia Street – Shared route between South and Monroe streets.
- Elwood Avenue – Shared route between Portage and Goodland avenues.
- Franklin Street – Shared route between Indiana and Ewing avenues.
- Goodland Avenue – Shared route between Elwood Avenue and Lincolnway West.
- High Street – Striped lanes between Sample and Wenger streets; shared route between Wenger and Ridgedale Road.
- Jefferson Boulevard – Striped lanes between St. Joseph and William streets.
- Lafayette Boulevard – Shared route from Riverside Drive to Navarre Street; segments between Navarre and South Street are yet to be determined.
- Notre Dame Avenue – Striped lane from South Bend to Colfax avenues; shared route between Colfax and Northside Boulevard.
- Portage Avenue – Striped lane with parking from Woodlawn Boulevard to Bulla Street.
- Riverside Drive – Shared route from Angela to Lafayette boulevards.
- Sample Street – Shared route from Northside Boulevard to Lincolnway East; to be determined from Lincolnway to High Street.
- South Street – Striped lanes from Lafayette Boulevard to Michigan Street; shared route from Michigan to Columbia Street.
Several previously announced routes are scheduled to be completed or upgraded in 2010:
- Colfax Avenue – Striped lanes between Lafayette Boulevard and Jacob Street, and Meade and Kaley streets.
- Kaley Street – Striped lanes between Colfax Avenue and Washington Street.
- Meade Street – Shared route from Colfax Avenue to Bendix Drive.
- Napoleon Boulevard – Striped lane from Notre Dame Avenue to one half block east of Frances Street.
- Notre Dame Avenue – Shared route between Angela Boulevard and Napoleon Boulevard; striped lane between Napoleon and South Bend Avenue.
- Portage Avenue – Striped lanes with parking between Lathrop Street and Woodlawn Boulevard.
- Summit Drive – Striped lanes from Washington Street to Mayfair Drive; shared route between Mayfair and Ford Street.
- Washington Street – Striped lanes between Kaley and Falcon streets as well as Washington High School and Summit Drive; shared route between Falcon Street and Washington High School.
The City's bicycle network includes:
- Multipurpose paths – Off-road, paved pathways limited to bicycles and pedestrian traffic. (Example: Riverside Trail, Portage Avenue path)
- Bicycle lanes – Painted five-foot-wide lanes on each side of the road between traffic and parking lanes. (Example: Mishawaka Avenue)
- Designated routes – Streets marked by "Share the Road" signs that are recommended for bicycle and vehicular traffic. (Example: Ford Street)
To view a bicycle network map, or for more details on current and planned routes, visit www.SouthBendIN.gov/bike
Contact:
- Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
- Chris Dressel, Bicycle Coordinator, 235-9371
