Protected bike lanes planned for 15 blocks

Trying to get more people out of their cars and onto their bikes safely.

January 20, 2015; 9:19 AM • by Richard Hayes

The plan is to create protected bike lanes, called “cycle tracks” for reasons unknown, along a 15 block stretch from Belvidere to 9th street along Main and Franklin. This would connect Thompson Street all the way to Capital Square with some sort of bicycle-friendly infrastructure.

What form the protected bike lanes will take is not discussed in the RTD article. Examples of protected bike lanes vary from concrete curbs and plantings to simple plastic posts. Two examples are given below, the picture used in the top of the article is from Austin and is my best guess and what to expect.

Washington, DC

Almeda, CA

The bike lanes are expected to cost $300,000 and the funding would come largely from the state.

The administration of Mayor Dwight C. Jones introduced legislation to the City Council this month that would authorize the city to accept $240,000 from the Virginia Department of Transportation while putting up $60,000 in city money as a local match. The VDOT funding, which stems from a federal transportation alternatives program, is allocated in conjunction with the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

The proposal goes before the Planning Commission which meets today at 1:30 PM in the fifth-floor conference room at City Hall. This plan would supplement not replace the ongoing debate centered around the Floyd Ave. Bike Boulevard.

Image Top: Austion City Gov/RTD
Image Middle: DC City Gov
Image Middle2: Almeda