Residents Weigh In On Preliminary Biking and Walking Plan

University City wants to become more bike and pedestrian friendly.

The City has partnered with a non-profit organization called Trailnet to develop a long-range plan to create safe, accessible connections to schools, parks, shopping areas, and other community destinations.

Last night, the first public workshop was held to get feedback on the University City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Several dozen residents turned out.

"I want easier access to Forest Park and other community bikeways," said Claudia Spener. She often rides her bike to Stacy Park in Olivette. 

Avid biker Theodore Smith wants to see more signs, whether for the bikers or cars. "Just to see something, so they can so, oh maybe I shouldn't veer too far over."

Margaret Gray said her family is more interested in sidewalks and foot traffic because her husband is in a wheelchair.

"What I don't think is addressed in a lot of this is concerns about nighttime walking and biking and the safety issues. I'm talking about physical safety. Crime type safety," said Carol Wofsey.

"I find I can wiggle around U City pretty well," said bicyclist Alex Hittle.  Although, he said he'd like to hear more specifics about the plan. "It isn't clear from this if the idea is to promote commuting or recreational biking and I think those two are different," he said.

"I love the idea of mapping safe routes to some specific destinations," said Lori Fiegel. "I'm a nervous biker," she said. 

The plan identified 16 biking and walking concerns associated with U City. They are as follows:

1. Major corridors in University City, including Delmar Blvd, Olive Blvd, North Hanley Rd, and North & South Rd lack sufficient pedestrian and bike facilities and are uncomfortable or perceived as unsafe for bikes and pedestrians
2. The Loop is congested and is uncomfortable and perceived as unsafe for bikes
3. There is a lack of bicycle parking and storage facilities in the Loop, and the bike parking that does exist is not visible and not conveniently located to shops and attractions
4. Many major intersections along Delmar Blvd, particularly Delmar and Big Bend Blvd, are perceived as unsafe
5. Midland Blvd is a good bike route, but traffic speed and parked cars result in negative perceptions of safety and comfort
6. Existing, dedicated bike and pedestrian paths—including Ackert Walkway and various paths along the River Des Peres—do not connect to meaningful destinations; both city-wide and regional bike routes are not well-identified or well-marked
7. Traffic signals, particularly at the crossing of major arterial roads, are not timed for cyclists and do not activate when bikes are present
8. Bicycle connectivity to the west is limited to one route along Old Bonhomme Rd
9. There is a lack of direct and identified bike and walk routes to MetroLink
10. Many streets lack sidewalks, particularly in the 3rd Ward and west of North & South Rd
11. Sidewalks along Olive Blvd, east of Ferguson Ave, are often obstructed by adjacent businesses, forcing pedestrians to walk out into traffic
12. There are numerous physical barriers preventing connectivity to the south and east, including private subdivisions, Forest Park Parkway, and parts of Washington University
13. The Greenway South/GRG Centennial Greenway bridge to Washington University across Forest Park Parkway is not A.D.A. accessible and bikes are technically restricted from using it
14. Topography and the River Des Peres corridor result in fundamental issues of flooding for sections of University City
15. The Olive Blvd commercial corridor lacks a coherent identity—what does this area want to be?
16. There is a lack of organized programming to encourage cycling and walking, particularly amongst kids

 Kevin Neill of Trailnet hopes the plan will be ready to present to the City Council in early 2012.