City Hears Bicycle Friendly Community Presentation
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw City Council heard a presentation on Bicycle Friendly Communities Tuesday night.
Steve Riffe, Bicycle Friendly Task Force member, spoke about the proposal to the council.
He said Designation of Bicycle Friendly Community Status if approved by the city would be awarded by the League of American Bicyclists.
He said Bicycle Friendly Communities require having a bicycle master plan in place, and programs teaching cyclists safety and teaching motorists how to share the road.
A Bicycle Friendly Seminar was held May 12 in Warsaw that focused on the benefits of pursuing Bicycle Friendly Community status.
Riffe said community leaders are prepared to develope a bicycle master plan. The group’s objective is to have the plan completed by the end of this year with plans to implement the plan in early 2012.
Winona Lake Town Council heard a presentation on the proposal at its June 28 council meeting.
“We want to make sure we have a specific program to reduce cyclist and motor vehicle crashes that would come together with a campaign,” said Troy Turley, Bicycle Friendly Task Force member.
Turley said there still needs to be a coordinator for the task force who has interest in cycling.
Max Courtney, task force member, encouraged the city and police to work together to develope a plan for the Bicycle Friendly Community and said he appreciates anything the city can do.
Council members said they supported having Warsaw as a bicycle friendly community.
Council president Joe Thallemer said there is a large number of bicyclists that could benefit from the program. He also pointed out there are several bicycle festivals in the area including the Fat & Skinny Tire Festival and the Downtown Days bicycle event.
Councilman Charlie Smith said it would be important to educate motorists and bicyclists how to share the road safely.
Councilman Kyle Babcock encouraged the task force to work with Warsaw Fire Department during its Play It Safe Family Safety Day. The community is educated on motorist and bicycle safety during the day.
Cindy Dobbins, Warsaw Community Development coordinator, said she attended the Orthotec Conference in Warsaw and people from out of town wondered if their were bicycle paths.
She said she thought the Bicycle Friendly Community proposal would be good for the community.
