St. Paul proposes 100 new miles of protected bike lanes
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St. Paul officials are currently contemplating replacing Summit Avenue's on-street bike lanes with off-street bike trails. Photo: Kyle Stokes/Axios
Many St. Paul bicycle enthusiasts are elated about a city proposal to build more than 100 miles of new protected bike lanes over the next 15 years.
Why it matters: St. Paul is proposing a massive expansion of the city's current network of bikeways, especially by adding "off-street" or "separated" lanes on high-traffic streets.
- That's a change. Most of the city's protected bike paths are currently found along scenic parkways, with mostly painted lanes on high-traffic streets.
What they're saying: "What we really want to do is attract new riders," said city planner Jimmy Shoemaker.
- "We've heard from a lot of people in the community that say, 'Hey, I would feel safer on a separated bikeway.'"
Driving the news: St. Paul City Council members could vote as early as Wednesday to approve the new bike plan.
- The council's vote wouldn't approve construction for any particular project; the plan contains mostly high-level concepts at this stage.
Yes, but: The vote will still carry weight. St. Paul's new sales tax means officials will likely have the money needed to make much of the proposal a reality.
- Plus: The plan strategically calls for new bikeways along many streets that the city already wants to use the new funds to rebuild.
The other side: While most feedback has been supportive, some critics argue the project would gobble up on-street parking and drain funds better spent on street repairs, instead of creating infrastructure for what they term a vocal minority (cyclists).
Context: Bike infrastructure has been controversial in St. Paul. Last year, a vocal contingent of Summit Avenue neighbors packed public meetings to rail against plans to add off-street bike trails during the next reconstruction of the famed parkway.
- The council approved the Summit plan 6-1, but neighbors are continuing legal challenges.
By the numbers: The proposal calls for 118 new bikeway miles, for a total of 336 miles between streets and trails.
- If fully built, the new plan would mean cyclists would be separated from cars on nearly three-quarters of St. Paul's designated bikeways — up from 42% currently.
The fine print: The new plan doesn't specify the definition of "separated bikeway."
- The term could describe an on-street lane with physical barriers between cars or a completely off-street path.
- The city says it will make street design decisions later.