Don't Meddle with the Pedal

The planned Fayetteville road improvements on Crossover Road from Mission north to the Springdale city limits and the project on Wedington west of Rupple Road currently include bike lanes. The City Council Street Committee is meeting at City Hall on Monday the 18th at 4:30 and will be discussing removing the bike lanes from these two road improvement projects.There is a lot of pressure being applied to do away with the bike lanes on 265 in order to preserve a Lindsey subdivision’s landscaping that over-reaches 3 feet into the existing right-of-way. I have been told that SWEPCO Sue Madison opposes the bike lanes on Crossover. This will be a real test of whether the Master Street Plan will reflect the goals of City Plan 2025

The Wedington project is receiving pressure to remove the bike lanes and replace them with a continuous (fifth) “suicide” turn lane. Numerous citizens have contacted the state highway department advocating a median be included for both the Crossover and the Wedington projects. Mayor Coody has not taken a public position on this and is not providing any leadership, so it is important that citizens take the lead and make their voices heard.

Bike lanes are an important part of an alternate transportation system, but to be successful they must be widely available. We believe they should be integral to all future road improvements. This is another opportunity to show local officials and the State highway department that we are committed to bike lanes and trails that can be central to alternate methods of transportation. Please make the effort to attend this street committee meeting and support keeping bike lanes in the planned improvements.