By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
Biking around Carrboro could become a little easier — or more difficult, according to some cyclists — with the adoption of a new bicycle transportation plan.
The Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve the plan, which was developed by town staff with the help of Greenways Incorporated. The plan was funded by a Comprehensive Bicycle Planning Grant from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which was received in May 2007.
According to Greenways consultant Matt Hayes, surveyed Carrboro residents indicated that biking conditions in Carrboro were “fair,†which, he said, is better than most communities in North Carolina, but still indicates room for improvement.
The plan includes a bicycle network project, with paved shoulders, bicycle lanes, sharrows, side paths and off-road trails at identified road corridors, intersections and greenway corridors. The changes are intended to help provide access to schools, greenways, downtown and other business zones, bicycle facilities, high-density residential areas and more.
While many residents supported the plan and its improvements, others spoke out against it, saying bike lanes were restrictive.
“Most of Carrboro’s bike lanes are unwarranted and substandard,†cyclist Wayne Pein said. “Bicyclists are erroneously considered a third category separate from motorists and pedestrians.
“Remove all bike lanes and place signs or pavement markings affirming bicyclists’ rights to use as much of the road as we see fit, which is consistent with state law,†he continued.
Elise Giddings, owner of Cycle 9, said that while she agreed with some of Pein’s points, she felt that bike lanes were necessary for some riders.
“I personally feel very confident riding in a lane of traffic with no bicycle lane, but I don’t want my 5 year old doing that,†she said.
The plan identifies 10 priority corridor segments for improvements, including one or more sections of Smith Level Road, Estes Drive, Homestead Road, South Greensboro Street, Old Fayetteville Road, Old Hwy. 86, Shelton Street and North Greensboro Street.
According to town transportation planner Adena Messenger, Carrboro has shared the plan with Chapel Hill so that officials there can consider the plans while developing their own bicycle transportation projects.
The entire plan is available online at greenways.com/pages/CarrboroBicycleDraftPlan.html
In other town business, the board also voted to approve Arbors at Winmore, a 22-unit project located on 0.95 acres within Winmore Village off Homestead Road. Units would consist of 10 townhomes and 12 multi-family apartments in a single building.
According to the developer, Crosland LLC, the development is intended entirely as affordable housing.
What road is safe for 5 year olds if it has a bike lane but not safe for them if it doesn’t? Is that what bike lanes are for – to allow little kids to play in our transportation infrastructure?