South Bend Proposes 88 Mile Trail Network

Expanding on Mayor Stephen J. Luecke's commitment to develop a 50-mile network of bicycle routes in five years, the City of South Bend has unveiled a map showing a proposed bicycle network of more than 88 miles.

"This map will serve as a long-term planning tool for my administration as it continues to add a minimum of 10 new miles of bicycle routes each year," Luecke said. "It will also show the entire community our vision for a comprehensive network that provides safe routes for bicyclists to reach every segment of South Bend."

Now in the second year of implementation, the emerging network is expected to have 32.8 miles completed by the end of this year (24.5 miles since the mayor’s 2007 State of the City 50-mile pledge). The proposed new routes will feature a yet-to-be determined combination of:

- Bicycle lanes – Painted five-foot-wide lanes on each side of the road between traffic and parking lanes. (Example: Mishawaka Avenue)

- Multipurpose paths – Off-road, paved pathways limited to bicycles and pedestrian traffic. (Example: Riverside Trail, Portage Avenue)

- Designated routes – Streets marked by “Share the Road” signs that are recommended for bicycle and vehicular traffic. (Example: Ford Street)

The network map is now available on the City’s web site at www.SouthBendIN.gov/bike
It shows already completed routes, proposed routes to be added by the city by the end of 2011 and beyond as well as adjoining bicycle routes outside the city limits. Of the more than 106 miles on the map, more than 34 miles will be in place by the end of 2008.

In creating the proposed network, city officials identified routes that provide safe access to destinations, including employment centers, schools, libraries and parks as well as connect to existing routes in neighboring areas. The routes were selected in consultation with representatives of the Bike Michiana Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy organization representing eight local bicycle groups.

The City will determine priority routes to implement each year based on its desire to link key destinations, construction schedules, existing road conditions, funding and other factors. A street must be at least 48 feet wide to incorporate two 11-foot travel lanes, two 8-foot parking lanes and two 5-foot bike lanes. With a limited number of City streets of that width, the City in some places would need to remove a parking lane on one side of a street to add painted bicycle lanes.

"With high gas prices and efforts by residents to keep in shape, more people are riding bicycles. They legally have the same access to roadways as cars, trucks and other vehicles," said Gary Gilot, director of public works. "We're trying to balance the interests of bicycles, motorists, and neighbors and businesses who rely on on-street public parking."

As the City implements new routes each year, planners will work in consultation with adjacent property owners, neighborhood groups and the bicycling community for optimal results.

"Part of the vision identified by citizen input through City Plan, the city’s comprehensive 20-year plan, is for South Bend to create an infrastructure that better encourages bicycling and walking as an alternative form of transportation," said Chris Dressel, a community planner with the Department of Community and Economic Development. "Working with residents to ensure that implementation of bike lanes and routes best serves everyone, we aim to create a bicycle network that will be the envy of many other communities and an attraction to future residents."

Source: The City of South Bend