SPRINGDALE -- About 30 people, some from as far away as Fort Smith, braved the stormy weather Thursday evening to have their say in updating the state's Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan.
There were recreational riders, road racers, those who ride their bikes to work and those who love to walk represented.
At A Glance
Learn More; Be Heard
The statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan will address policies related to biking and walking as well as the development of roads, trails, sidewalks and other infrastructure. Plan activities include data gathering, outreach to the public and regional and local governments, development of a preliminary bicycling network, training for transportation engineering staff and development of road design criteria. To participate in the online survey and put your ideas on the interactive maps, go to arkansasbikepedplan….
Source: Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department
"We're just here to help contribute all we can, having experience riding these area roads," said Desinee Battorff of Fayetteville, who rides recreationally and competitively. "We want to see safe, good ways to reach rural areas."
Brad and Britney Schrag came, along with their daughter, Bella. Brad races and rides to work, Britney rides for recreation and Bella would love to be able to ride her bike to her elementary school in Springdale. They ride as a family to the Farmers' Market.
Many of those attending were interested in being able to reach the more rural areas of Northwest Arkansas, such as Devil's Den and Mount Gaylor, and even Fort Smith.
"I love the idea of being able to ride all the way to Crystal Bridges," said Jim Norwood, who lives outside West Fork.
Nancy Raney and Bob Robinson drove up from Fort Smith to attend the session. Raney said she's interested in getting a trail system established in Fort Smith, and Robinson, who has written a guide to biking the Mississippi River Trail, said he wants to see the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop made part of the plan because of the spectacular views, wide shoulders and lack of heavy traffic.
"People will come from all over to ride Mount Gaylor, if it has lanes," Robinson said.
The input session at Arvest Ballpark was one of a series of public meetings being held around the state by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to update the plan for the first time since 1998. About half of those attending said they ride to work at least part of the time.
Anyone who was unable to attend but is still interested can get their ideas included in the plan by going online. A website has been set up that includes interactive maps for adding potential routes and related comments, a survey and regular updates on the project. The website and maps will be continually updated as ideas are added and project updates will be available.
"You can add information to the map online," said Ernie Boughman, with the Highway Department. "It's going to layer and layer and layer as people put in more data."
The group met earlier in the day Thursday with several area groups, including the Bike Coalition of the Ozarks, and will meet with regional planners this afternoon in Springdale.
The plan, which is expected to be complete in 18 to 21 months, will ultimately serve as a blueprint for state agencies, local governments and affiliated organizations.
Gov. Mike Beebe asked for the plan update after seeing the state come in dead last for bicycle friendliness in a survey by the League of American Bicyclists two years ago. Arkansas moved up 13 spots to rank 37th last year.
The ranking was based on infrastructure and money for bicycle facilities; education and programs that promote cycling; and passage and enforcement of bicycle-friendly laws that make it safe and comfortable for people of all ages to ride a bike.
An advisory group was formed that includes the Highway Department, Parks and Tourism, State Police, the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training and the state Health Department.
The plan of action called for lots of education, including putting bike-related questions on the state driver's test, education about the health benefits of biking, training police officers about how the laws apply to bicyclists, new brochures about biking opportunities and keeping bikes in mind when designing transportation infrastructure. It also includes working closely with private biking groups and schools.
NW News on 04/04/2014