Bike Omaha Route Officially Launched

Certainly, we all know that you don't need bike lanes to effectively ride a bike on the city streets. However, a civilized city should use bicycle routes and lanes to officially promote cycling as a transportation alternative.

Sanctioned routes may also draw out new riders, giving them first, the idea, and then later, the confidence to take to the streets and bike somewhere.

Monday, the City of Omaha officially launched Bike Omaha, the city's 20 mile bike route system linking Midtown and Downtown locations. You can see more, including a route map and photos and video from the event at the Bike Omaha blog.

Do You Have Good Ideas About Transportation In Omaha?

C'mon... I know you do.

MAPA, the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency wants to know what you think about transportation in the Omaha/Council Bluffs five-county metro area.

If you have any feedback to give to MAPA on bike lanes, bike routes, incentives to using alternative transportation, and other public transportation issues, be sure to voice it via the survey.

Keep in mind that bike friendly cities like Portland, Oregon haven't always been bike cities. Portland started with a plan in the 1990's and implemented it, and are now enjoying being cited in lists of bike friendly cities.

Bike Omaha Logo Leaked

Maybe the subject line is a little titillating. I really have no idea if the logo has been shown before or if it's ever been a "secret."

Last week I attended the Sierra Club's monthly meeting where the topic was Bicycling as Commuting. You can read my write up here.

Here's the logo that Marty Shukert showed during his presentation. "Bike Omaha" is the name tentatively given to the 20-mile, on-street bikeway system to serve as sanctioned bike routes servicing downtown, midtown, and areas north and south of the core of Omaha, east of 72nd Street.

Here is a link to a google map that I made several months ago showing the planned routes at that time.

Bicycling as Commuting

A friend of mine sent this to me and wanted to get the word out…

Bicycling as Commuting
7pm
Thursday, March 26, 2009
First United Methodist Church, 69th & Cass Streets, Omaha (enter north door education wing)

Do you want to cut your carbon footprint, and get more physically active at the same time? Help reduce traffic congestion, and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil? Have you considered making bicycling part of your routine? Perhaps even your main mode of transportation?

We'll be discussing bicycling as a means of commuting at our March 26 program. We've got a great group of speakers to let you know what is happening in Omaha to make cycling safer and more reliable as a means of getting around town. And these experienced cyclists can give tips on what you need to know if you want to ride smart and ride safe.

Our speakers are leaders with Activate Omaha and Bikeable Communities! and include:

• Marty Shukert, principal with RDG Planning and Design, and former Director, City of Omaha Planning Department;
• Stuart Shell, also with RDG, and board member of the Community Bike Shop;
• Kerri Peterson, executive Director of Our Healthy Communities Partnership;
• Kent McNeill, founder and owner of Highgear and Trek Bicycle Stores.

Our speakers are avid cyclists who will describe the progress Omaha is making towards becoming a bicycle friendly community. We'll hear about the 20-mile loop program, which has the goal of getting 20 miles of designated bike lanes in the downtown and midtown area, focused on getting east/west routes. We'll learn about factors to consider in choosing cycling as your main means of transportation, strategies to take with different types of roads, and tips to help you arrive at your destination safely.

Come to our March program to find out what you can do to increase your cycling miles while staying safe.

Sierra Club programs are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mary Green at 556-1830, or mary.green(at)nebraska(dot)sierraclub(dot) org

Live Green,

Daniel J. Lawse, Co-Chair
Green Omaha Coalition | Green Neighborhood Council
www.greenomahacoalition.org