Connecting Bike Paths, Duck Creek and Riverfront
Our bike paths are true assets for our community. The Duck Creek Path runs from Emeis Park to Duck Creek Park (and on to Bettendorf's Devils Glen Park). Our riverfront path now runs from Credit Island through East Davenport (and on to Bettendorf's Isle/Casino). To better utilize these assets it would be great to see a connection.
I had a preliminary meeting today at the Design Center with staff to look at alternatives. The QC Greenway Plan (by Bi-State a few years back) showed a number of potential connections: through Nahant Marsh, up to the new Sunderbruch Park, and along roads to Emeis; along Main through Vander Veer and through the neighborhood N of V.V.; along the RR line out of the Village; and in two other Bettendorf locations. The one I thought that might hold the most promise, in the short term, is the link on Main through Vander Veer.
This potential route would provide riders a link to our city's "central park", our "education corridor", downtown, and the riverfront. The most economical step might be to incorporate routes along the street and utilize "sharrows" (photo above) painted on the roadway. Rock Island has incorporated similar markings on 17th St. and 7th Ave. recently. We would also need to introduce some "high visibility" crossings at Central Park, Lombard, Locust, and downtown to the Dillon Fountain. Signage would need to be incorporated as well, to make drivers aware of the bike traffic. Signage could also be added on Duck Creek and on the Riverfront to alert riders of the connection.
In Iowa, bike friendly laws are on the books that recognize bikers as equals on the roadway. It certainly wouldn't be as safe to do this along Brady and Harrison, but Main (with much lower traffic counts) might be plausible - although I still have some safety concerns. The link would connect Duck Creek to a multitude of trails on both sides of the river (the IL trails go from Rock Island to Cordova).
The costs shouldn't be all that high and could be a worthwhile investment. I listed this on a question in my Jan. survey and a majority seemed to support although safety was a concern (results, click here, go to pg. 8).
A good riverfront trail map and other trails of interest are available on Bi-State's site, click here.
Let me know your thoughts, thanks - Ian.
*** Update, 3/10, click here to learn about Bike Blvds. - similar to sharrows, sent by the IA Bike Coalition.
posted by Ian Frink @ 8:53 PM
10 comments
10 Comments:
Ian - I 100% support the concept. I regularly use Main Street to commute from Central Davenport to my job downtown. Anything that can alert drivers that bikes may be present and can be done for relatively little cost should be explored.
Davenport has been too long putting off this incentive for bikers and walkers. Main Street, between two busy streets (Brady and Harrison), is a natural for making Davenport a pleasant place to live.
I'd like to see the Sunderbruch Park connection as well. I also think that Bettendorf should connect the Duck Creek path, which already extends to within yards of the river. The gap past the tank farms and Isle of Capri seems like it will be a problem for Bettendorf though.
I would like to see the drug dealers and gang bangers out of my neighborhood. Can that be a priority too?
I'm an Illinois resident and I applaud your efforts at looking at viable bike transportation routes.
10:42,
Fighting crime and improving neighborhoods is a priority for me. This is why I voted to support four new NEO inspectors, as well as a budget that included: a juvenile crime unit, two new NETS officers, a new neighborhood liaison specialist position, a new neighborhood re-investment program, and a new matching program for neighborhood re-investments and beautification. This is why I spent time this morning learning about the Guardian Angels program and why I spend time holding meetings, on a variety of topics, throughout the city.
Ian
Mr. Frink,
I am excited to learn of your plans. Integration of shared lane connections could make a big difference in the bike friendliness of your community.
I'd like to recommend you take Main Street one step further. I think you have a prime area for a bicycle boulevard.
Harrison and Brady can obviously accommodate the through traffic. So you have a prime opportunity to employ traffic calming and traffic diverters along Main Street.
The concept of a bicycle boulevard allows through traffic of bicycles, but prevents through traffic of cars. Cars still have access, but bicycles have the priority.
There is a great video and some more resources at http://www.iowabicyclecoalition.org/bikeboulevards.htm
Good luck,
Mark Wyatt
Iowa Bicycle Coalition
www.iowabicyclecoalition.org
9:26,
Thanks for the post, I'll share your idea with staff and the traffic engineer - as discussions move forward. - Ian
The city has done a good job over the years developing off street bike paths but they are way to limited and do not allow for reasonable transportation. They are also very expensive and do not promote easy access for simple travel, errends tasks or fun, e.g. convenient stores, neighborhoods, parks, schools, ice cream cones work, etc.
Much could be done by using our existing road system and educating both bikers and drivers that the roadway is a transportation system and not exclusively for vehicels. Engineers need to be reminded that streets are way to important for just them to design, they are the backbone of community design and the seed of good neighborhoods.
Maybe designating bike lanes on central city streets would open a new source of funding for street repair. We need repairs in all older areas of the city and this would create a busy network of bike corridors.
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