[Jim Mork Wrote] The whole notion of bikes on Lake flies in the face of common sense. Time was when bikeriders wanted bike paths to AVOID mixing in traffic. That was a clearer-headed set of priorities. Moreover, if you set up Lake so it is a headache to drive, why are you expecting anyone with business to gravitate to it?
JM Wrote:
The whole notion of bikes on Lake flies in the face of common sense. Time was when bikeriders wanted bike paths to AVOID mixing in traffic. That was a clearer-headed set of priorities. Moreover, if you set up Lake so it is a headache to drive, why are you expecting anyone with business to gravitate to it?
The issue really isn't whether to allow bicycles on Lake Street. The issue is whether to BAN bicycles on Lake Street. A subtle, but important difference.
The Greenway is a wonderful route - especially if you're going East or West for a long distance on a bike. However, bicyclists will use city streets rather than go out of their way to use the bike path. Also, if a bicyclist wants to go to a business on Lake Street (I know it's sometimes hard to fathom, but people on bicycles do do that) what do you want us to do if bikes are banned? Walk them? Watch and see how well a bike ban works on the Nicollet Mall sometime. Personally, I try to avoid biking on the mall, but I'll admit to having biked on the sidewalk there in order to get to my bike rack,etc.
It's also curious to me when it is that bicycles have become such a headache to cars that they've stopped driving on particular streets. If Mr. Mork can name such a street I'd love to see it. In my long years of bicycling I've never found such a thing.
Most bicyclists avoid Lake St as Mr. Mork described later in his letter. Most bicyclists will continue to avoid Lake St. and that's fine. The issue is whether we accept the idea of being banned from Lake St. and the answer to that is no because sometimes it will be the most convienient route.
Jim McGuire Como
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