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Anchorage Moves Toward Becoming a Bike Friendly CityThe cost is the main challengeANCHORAGE - It has been more than three years since the city created a vision to make Anchorage bicycle friendly. But so far, only two of the 37 bike plan related projects are in the works. One project is on Arctic and Fireweed and another bike improvement plan is slated for Cordova Street. It costs $80,000 per-mile to put a bike lane on an existing road, which doesn't include signs and markings. “It’s a lot of money, but it really helps towards bicycle safety,” said Schanche. City officials say they're trying to be more efficient by using permanent bike lane markings like the one on Elmore Road. “We don't want to just paint lines on the street; we want to grind them in so that they last longer,” she said. For bicyclists it's about safety. “The more infrastructure we provide for bicyclists, the more bicyclists there will be on the road. Study after study shows with more numbers of bicyclists, the safety improves,” said Brian Litmans, president of the Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage. It is all in an effort to make sure bikes and cars can share the road. |
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Robo said on Wednesday, May 23 at 9:55 AM
People need to register their vehicle to use the roadway...for those that wish to ride bikes on the roadways...do the same or have a bike tax at time of purchase to defer the cost to create this network of bike paths. Sorry, but gas taxes should not be spent for these efforts, not the intended purpose for these funds
91657106Tired of Anchorage Drivers said on Tuesday, May 22 at 11:28 PM
"Bikes don't pay taxes" what the hell does that even mean? I pay taxes, and I ride a bike and drive a car. I'm down for putting more money towards bike lanes rather than putting it more and more and more roads for more idiots to drive aggressively and inattentively. This town used to be a nice place and now it's traffic hell. Like it or not, bikes are allowed on the road. It's the law. This town is so aggressive, it's getting to the point that drivers need to be held accountable for their actions when they hurt someone using their car.
91612706Anonymous said on Tuesday, May 22 at 11:22 PM
Which one of you bozos don't think the VAST majority of bikers don't have cars as well. How do you think we go shopping and get our groceries home? We pay property taxes just like all of you do... well, some of you anyway. We just ride because we're not totally fat and lazy driving everywhere. Deal with it!! I pay for roads just as much as you all do.
91612496Canx said on Tuesday, May 22 at 3:02 PM
Canx the other 35 "projects" and save us a lot of waste and grief.
91580546N said on Tuesday, May 22 at 12:57 PM
As long as they're not IN the road, no problems with bikes. I cant stand people riding in the middle of the road.
91570916Anonymous said on Tuesday, May 22 at 11:26 AM
If a biker is going to ride on the roads, then they should be required to have a drivers license and insurance. I cannot count the number of times I have been at the intersection of 9th and Karluk and the same idiot on his bike has blown through the stop sign while riding on the street and I have had to slam my brakes on to avoid him. If they are going to ride on the street, they should be required to follow ALL of the rules of the road. If I hit this idiot and it damages my vehicle, then I am the one that has to pay my deductible and more than likely, my insurance would have to cover any injuries this jackhole gets. How is that fair. This city has put in bike paths and sidewalks. Let them ride on those.
91560966Jennifer said on Tuesday, May 22 at 10:45 AM
I have lived in Anchorage almost 40 years. Born and raised here, I know that we are no San Francisco we lovely bike trails. We are hard working, long car communing, drivers. Bikes have no business on the road in Alaska. We are driving at speeds from 35 mph to 55 mph and expected to "share" the road with bicycles? Who thought that is a great idea?? Bikers are just as dangerous as drivers since they DO NOT follow the rules on the road. I think someone is trying to change who we are as ALASKANS into something you find in the lower 48. We are not like them and with four months out of the year to ride your bike, it is not worth the money. I'm sorry, my property taxes will pay for buildings not teachers and my IM that Sullivan saved me from paying went right into raising my car registration. Sorry bikers!! Get in line!!
91556566john anderson said on Tuesday, May 22 at 10:37 AM
I am a motorist and a bicyclist. More people on bicycles means fewer cars on the road. Anchorage has some great bike routes and I support more, both for added recreation and healthier citizens. Also more bike safety training for youngsters is needed to reduce wrecks on the trails
91555966Joanna said on Tuesday, May 22 at 9:48 AM
I totally agree bikers need to pay for this, not the drivers, we already have enough expenses to cover the costs of our vehicles and licensing fees, etc.
91551596yo said on Tuesday, May 22 at 9:41 AM
80,000 isnt too bad, coastal trail was 1 million a mile. as for bike friendly city?! that'll never happen, too many idiots driving their cars not lookin the other way, or texting while driving, I see people doing that every day
91550976jennifer said on Tuesday, May 22 at 8:46 AM
As a biker I'm all for a more bike friendly city. However the cost for the permante markings is very high.Plus not all bikers are law breakers most of us a law abiding and tax payers too!
91544996sunsetarab said on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:48 AM
Bikes don't pay fees and should not be on the road. They should be off te side and away from traffic. We pay taxes and license fees to use the highway. Why are we spending highway dollars that could be used to FIX the roads on something that doesn't contribute?
91539715Midgardian said on Tuesday, May 22 at 4:46 AM
As a biker, I'm all for this, but... $80,000 per mile?! Even for permanent markings, that seems... wrong; like someone's-being-fleeced wrong.
91520635Whos gonna pay said on Tuesday, May 22 at 12:12 AM
Who's gonna pay for it? Certainly not the law breaking non tax paying majority of the bikers.
91508396Lauren said on Monday, May 21 at 11:19 PM
its about time !!
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