Davis Bicycles! Council Candidate Questions

Is it practical to provide more off-street bike paths in existing urban areas? If so, please list some of the most likely locations in Davis where this could be done.

We have a good system of bike paths and greenbelts in parts around the edges of the city, but I would like to look toward the development of good off-street bike options that can take bicyclists from the periphery of the city into the core. This would encourage more bike ridership as bikers would not have to deal with traffic hazards and traffic lights.

Any new suggested routes will be subject to significant engineering and cost considerations. So lets start with mention of where it might be desirable (if not immediately feasible) to consider additional off-street routes.

First, I am very interested in a separate bike route from Davis to Woodland for commuters and for recreational riders to enjoy views of our agricultural setting. I have been working on this topic with an ad hoc group from Yolo County and the City of Woodland in hopes that we can secure a federal grant for NEVs with separate bike lanes.

Second, there is a gap in the bike loop north of Covell connecting Wildhorse to Northstar ponds. This would be a significant addition for both commuters and for recreational riders who want to truly loop around the community.

Third, a bike only route south of I-80 (perhaps south of El Macero) linking the causeway to the Putah Creek bike path would create a wonderful commute/recreation ride.

Fourth, continuing the separate path west toward Winters along Russell would increase safety.

Fifth, a route that takes commuters through the downtown area is a high need. Perhaps we could connect from Second Street to the Arboretum.

Sixth, finding ways to use Highway 40 would be one of the low-hanging (but costly) fruits in this discussion.

Finally, any new construction at the Cannery site, Chiles Ranch, Grande, PG&E or other locations will present opportunities to enhance the bike network as well as challenges to be sure that the areas are connected. For example, we have had discussions with the Cannery site proponents about constructing an underpass near the railroad to connect that area to the bike network.

Bike ridership experts, like Dr. John Pucher, tell us that by giving bike riders more options, we will increase bike ridership. Creating more off-street bike paths using today’s construction standards in existing urban areas is costly. It is also difficult to create off-road paths in older parts of town where streets are less wide. We need to focus on how to create an off-road path to connect L Street to A Street along 5th Street.

In some areas, we lack connectivity between off-street bike paths. For example, a large gap currently exists in our bike paths in between Wildhorse and Northstar. Off-street bike paths are great community assets, but should also link communities and neighborhoods together. The Hunt-Wesson site has a unique opportunity to provide a needed linkage across Covell.

Off-street bike paths can provide safe recreational opportunities for biking- but, I believe that road bikers should have safe, direct, on-street options as well.