After all the uncertainty over the city’s bikes lanes — they were going to create more when they repaved; then they weren’t; now they are again — and the controversy that created, local bicycle advocates are asking Memphis mayor A C Wharton and the City Council to ensure that all future paving projects using federal dollars include bicycle facilities.
- Off topic: I like this girl’s shoes.
Last month, more than 30 miles of federally funded bicycles lanes were excluded from the city’s repaving plans.
In response to a public outcry, the city has decided install 55 miles of new bike lanes and facilities, much of it funded through the city engineer’s budget.
Bicycle advocates, who plan to meet at City Hall Friday, July 16th, at 12:30 p.m., initially wanted Wharton to send plans for the 30 miles back to the city engineer’s office and include the lanes.
“While the Shelby Farms Greenline, the Wolf River Greenway, and bike lanes on Shady Grove show some movement in the area of Green infrastructure in Memphis, our city remains ashamedly behind the curve in promoting human powered transportation options,” says a letter addressed to Wharton and the council.
“Investing in such infrastructure is not merely an appeasement to cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts; it is an investment in our community and the public realm. Investing in infrastructure that promotes biking and walking has been shown to stimulate new business, attract talented workers, lower public health costs, stimulate tourism, increase property values, and raise tax revenues. In short, Memphis stands to gain an overall quality of life increase by investing in infrastructure that enables more bicycling and walking.”
