New bike lanes
on 87th Street
Photo:MoBikeFed

The city’s implementation of the BikeKC network is seeing slow but steady progress in both the north and south of the city…

The infamously short bike lanes on NW Barry Road in front of Zona Rosa will be extended by one mile to the west as the road is widened between North Congress and North Amity. Construction is underway with a planned completion in 2010.

Bike lanes are coming to North Brighton Avenue in the Carriage Hills and Foxwoods neighborhoods as the road is widened and flattened between Vivion Road and NE 58th Street.  This project is scheduled to go out for bids in August and be completed by the end of 2100.  The plan includes a future extension north to Pleasant Valley Road, when money is available.

87th Street received new bike lanes in 2007 as part of a road widening project last fall in the Bannister Mall area. Eventually these could extend east to connect with bike lanes on 87th Street in Raytown.

You can monitor the progress of the upcoming Northland projects via the Capital Improvements Management Office.

• NW Barry Road is project #89008124 and #89008078.
• North Brighton Avenue is project #89002675.

There is some sad news on the eve Bike Week, with the first bicyclist fatality of 2008. This evening a four year-old boy was killed by a delivery van while bicycling in the parking lot of his apartment complex in Blue Springs.  Law enforcement is treating the death as an accident. One report notes the drivers seat of the van was positioned too high for the driver to see  the boy on his bicycle.

Coverage from The Star, KMBC-TV 9, and KSHB-TV 41.

Update: The Star reports that the boy’s name is Mason P. McBride.

Just in time for Bike Week, CBS affiliate KCTV-5 has a new blog all about biking to work.  It’s written by weather producer Amanda Graor and will chronicle her experiances riding to work.  You might have already seen the teasers on the air.

www.kctv5.com/amandasbikeblog

The Missouri Bicycle Federation just released a “report card” on bicycling conditions in the Show-Me State. Our state’s overall grade is a disappointing D, but we did score better in many of the individual subjects.  And many initiatives are underway to raise that grade in the future.

“The overall grade for Missouri’s walking and bicycling environment for 2007 was a D,” says Missouri Bicycle Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh. “We are quite frankly behind most other states in accommodating for safe walking and bicycling.

Fox 4 already has good a report with the local perspective.

The latest issue of Camp Magazine includes a story titled “Bikes, Buses and Feet - How to Make Alternatives to the Car Work for Kansas City.” It covers some great info for getting around without an autombile. The story also lets slip a really important piece of news that will be formally announced during Bike Week.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser is going to announce that Kansas City, MO is setting the goal to become a certified as a Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly City by the League of American Bicyclists.  You did not just imagine reading that sentance, it’s actually going to happen. 2020 will be the goal.  Stay tuned for more details during Bike Week.

KMBC-9 reports that yesterday a bicyclist was hit on 87th Street at I-35 in Johnson County, KS.  There are few details, but this intersection is notoriusly challenging for bicyclists and pedestrians.  A lot of the problem is KDOT’s use of Single Point Urban Interchange - a design that moves a lot of cars very quickly, but increases the danger for bicyclists and pedestrians.

It’s that time of year again to celebrate all things bicycle related.  May 10-18 Bike Week will be the biggest ever. A large group of volunteers has put together a record setting 60-plus events that include virtually every aspect of bicycling - racing, mountain biking, commuting, recreation, and much more.

Some of the new events for this year include…

• Intro to mountain biking class and trail ride
• Commuter convoys - ride to work with experienced bike commuters
• Fixed gear workshop and track stand competition for all you fixies and curious
• Bike to see the Triplets of Belleville in the Central Library’s Film Vault
• Many, many more group rides for everyone from beginners to speed freaks
• New classes to help you choose the right bike, learn to ride in traffic, and get started as a bike commuter.

Of course the commuter challenge returns this year, as the Car-Free Challenge.  Sign up and see how many car trips you can replace with bicycling, walking, or transit. And last but not least, the question everyone is waiting to have answered - yes, Boulevard Brewery is hosting our big end of the week party again this year!

Dave Kaup | KCB

The current Business Journal profiles James Joerke of the Mid-America Regional Council.  James is in charge of the KC region’s air quality program, which includes the Ozone Alerts that warn us of bad pollution days. The article the mentions that fact that James is practicing what he preaches when it comes to air quality because he is a regular bicycle commuter.

Continue reading ‘Biz Journal profiles bike commuter James Joerke’

Have you considered riding your bike to work, or thought about riding your bike more often on errands? Learn how at a clinic hosted by Family Bicycles.

Deb Ridgway, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the city of Kansas City, Mo., will give an introduction to bike commuting, covering topics such as clothing, hygiene, parking, inclement weather, night riding, how to transport objects by bike, route planning and rules of the road. Ridgway has been commuting by bike for the last 12 years in three different cities. Come hear her stories and learn practical commuting tips.

Saturday, May 3, 8:00 a.m to 9:30 a.m.
Family Bicycles
7140 Wornall Road
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-268-1757

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The phofo of the week is actually a bunch of moving phots.  Local cyclist Gabe has a bunch of videos of Critical Mass over the last year.  The KC Mass has blossomed into 150 or more riders every month.