More cyclocross action this weekend: Lake Afton, plus USCF Cyclocross Nationals in Providence, RI. Watch for a hot Steve Tilford and other locals to do well. Our local 'cross season continues til January with the Grote Prijs Shawnee. Lots of Holiday light rides around town this time of the year. Check the JCBC calendar for updates. Click on 'read more' for some news from Brent Hugh and the advocacy folks.
KC area bicyclists,
Three interesting goings-on this evening.
1. Olathe put on an absolutely fantastic public meeting about their new bicycle
plan.
This is going to be a model the entire metro area should follow. The had a
great citizen turnout and much good feedback. They are planning to have a
citizens' advisory committee as the plan moves forward. Kudos to Dale Crawford,
who works for Olathe Parks & Rec, and Alonzo Linan of Olatha Public Works, who
have been key in putting this plan together. Most of the info about the Olathe
plan, including the proposed routes (separate and complete systems for advanced
bicyclists and children/novice bicyclists) will be online by Wednesday at
http://www.olatheks.org
2. The North Kansas City council voted on their recommendations for the bike/ped
river crossings.
A citizen spoke during the open comment period against bicycle and pedestrian
accommodations that just waste the taxpayer dollars–and those bicyclists don't
pay their share of taxes anyway. And there are plenty of places for them to
go–so why don't they just go there. And bicycling on the road is just too
dangerous.
Interestingly enough, several of the council members refuted her arguments and
asked her counter-questions that she couldn't really answer.
With that prelude the NKC City Council proceed to endorse bike/ped on the Heart
of America Bridge by a 7 to 1 vote and split right down the middle on the vote
on bike/ped on the Paseo–4 to 4. Mayor Bruns cast the deciding vote, against
bike/ped on the Paseo.
3. The 150 Hwy Project in southeast Kansas City-Grandview-Lee's Summit had a
public meeting tonight.
Of primary concern to us, they were asking citizens for input about walkability
and trail connections. It was the sort of meeting where everyone got three dots
and got to put them on the three things they had most interest in. I am not
certain where we are on this project as far as bicycle facilities–we'll have to
continue to follow this.