Heather is a member and one of the owners of Las Vegas Cyclery (one of our supporter shops); she was key in getting the 159 bike lane widened. The BLM wants to build a 15 mile off road paved pedestrian/bike path from Summerlin to 160 similar to the Rivers Mountains Loop Trail at Lake Mead. How cool would that be!! It is running into problems - you and your families could be key supporters in turning the tide here. Thanks Heather for all of your hard work on our behalf!!
Heather writes:
Check out yesterday's article on the front page of the Review Journal for a twisted account of the Red Rock bike path. http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=859222483&msgid=4020339&act=72D1&c=4747&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lvrj.com%2Fnews%2F24171124.html.
It is a glaring example of why we need to stay active and not apathetic to our future. Had anyone been to the public meetings (especially the reporter), the article would have come out completely different.
The article contains two misconceptions:
1-that cyclists will not be able to use the bike lane on the road if a separated path is built along 159
2-that most cyclists don't want a separated path
#1, Myth: Cyclists won't be able to use the bike lane on the road if a path is built. Just look to our neighbors for the facts. A separated path is not a novel concept. In fact, Nevada is way behind its surrounding states, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and California, who don't only have way more separated bike paths, but more road cyclists as well. Roadies who are guess what?....yes, still riding in the bike lanes on the road. But at the same time, the separated paths are also happily being used by other recreationers who appreciate the choice to run, walk, or ride in the beautiful outdoors away from dangerous traffic. If you come to the meetings, you will learn from both governing bodies of 159 that the road will not be outlawed to road bikers if a path is built. BLM contacted me yesterday, upset for being misquoted in the article. They are doing this for us, to provide further recreation opportunities, not to take away from anything we already have, which they couldn't do anyway. The first priority at the safety charettes was to give road bikers more room to ride safely outside of the lines of traffic. And gratefully, that priority was followed through by NDOT. Now that that's done, we can safely work with the BLM to build a separated bike path for everyone else, which brings me to the second misconception in the article:
#2, Myth: That most cyclists don't want it. That would be to say that we are so egotistical as roadies that nobody else matters. That's not what I would like to believe. I know lots of caring cyclists (including Jim Little, a great cycling advocate who also told me his words were taken out of context), who would love to help their friends and families have an opportunity like this. There has never been a better time for people to ditch their family cars and fossil fuels for a bike ride or walk in the beautiful desert scenery. Paths in surrounding states are very popular and historically well-maintained. We already have our beautiful bike lane here, why would we try to sabotage further, safer recreational opportunities for others?
After my invitation to the public for the last bike path meeting in May, I was extremely disappointed to see that only a couple of cyclists showed up. Equestrians, on the other hand, showed up in impressive numbers. They are great advocates for their sport. What happened to cyclists? I thought we cared about the future as well. The path was planned for bikers and runners, yet because mostly just equestrians showed up, it ended up looking more like a gravel horse trail by the end of the meeting rather than a paved path suitable for families, recreational bikers, runners, and strollers. I assure you, this is not how it's going to turn out, if I have anything to do with it and if more cyclists show up to the next meeting. Please come. If you have concerns, or care about others, that's even more reason. BLM is being more than accommodating to our schedules to allow as much public input as possible:
Public Hearing on the Red Rock Canyon Separated Bike Path:
August 12, 2008, BLM Offices
Your choice of either a lunch-time or after hours presentation, at 12:15 and 6:00pm
If you can't make either of those presentations, an open house will be held from 12-8pm
BLM Public Meeting Room
4701 North Torrey Pines, Las Vegas
Directions and info: 515-5000
Feel free to call me with any questions/concerns as well. 875-4803.
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