Exposition Blvd. Bike Lane Meeting this Monday

Simon from BikeTakeover let me know of a meeting this Monday that could either positively or negatively alter the way you commute into West Austin. There has been a huge amount of debate about the bike lanes on Exposition Blvd. The neighborhood association wants to be able to park in the bike lane 24x7. Bicycle advocates want the lanes cleared at all hours due to the streets' large potential as a major bicycle thoroughfare and the high amount of car traffic that usually occupies it. If they can't reach a happy medium the lanes may be removed forever. Here are the details, so if you're in the area or can get to the area next Monday, I urge you to show up and let them know what you think.

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WHAT: WANG Meeting to Discuss Bike Lanes on Exposition

WHEN: Monday, October 6th, 7:00 pm

WHERE: Howson Library, 2500 Exposition Blvd, 78703

INFO:

You are invited to a meeting WANG (West Austin Neighborhood Group) is having on Monday, October 6 (7:00 pm at Howson Library) to discuss the Exposition bike lane parking rules that are being proposed for the stretch of Exposition between Westover and Windsor (and possible other parts of Exposition). According to the city, some type of parking limits are now required for bike lanes, but many (not all) of the Exposition neigbors from the stretch are opposed to the proposed "no parking" requirement.

Because the objecting neighbors are expected to be in attendance at the Monday meeting, I'm writing to you as neighbors and bikers who might support some sort of "no parking" rules, whether as broad as proposed by the city, or possibly something more restricted, such as limiting parking only during commuting hours (e.g., 7-10 and 4-6). As explained below, this is as much about preventing Exposition from being expanded to four lanes as it is about bikers, so if you are interested in having bike lanes on Exposition and keeping it a two-lane road, or know someone who supports these ideas, please forward this message to them and attend the meeting. Also please let me know by email if you are planning on attending.

Points to Consider for Monday's Meeting:

First, while the neighbors object to the 7-to-7 parking restrictions that were initially proposed, there are other, less restrictive no-parking rules that might be considered as a possible compromise. The City's Bike & Pedestrian Coordinator (Annick Beaudet) will be at Monday's meeting to discuss possible compromises and answer questions.

Second, if some type of no-parking rules can't be approved by the neighborhood, the City could decide to remove the bike lanes from Exposition.

Finally and most importantly, the objecting neighbors are not acknowledging the very real risk that Exposition could be re-striped to four lanes if the unprotected bike lanes are removed. This was confirmed after the meeting by Mayor Winn's administrative assistant (Darlene Berghammer) who said the City Council is interested in seeing this bike lane process succeed at Exposition since it has succeeded at two other sites in East Austin (Chicon and Chestnut Streets). She also stated that if protected bike lanes are not approved by the neighborhood, there is a real risk that the City will re-stripe Exposition to four lanes. While some doubt this possibility, I just reviewed the CAMPO 2025 Transportation Plan for Austin (adopted by Austin) which shows a "need" for a four-lane minor arterial (MNR 4) at Exposition (between Westover and Enfield). See, column 6 ("2025 Needs") in the CAMPO 2025 Transportation Plan after searching for "Exposition." Also, the Adopted 2025 Plan shows that Exposition (35th to Westover) will be a four-lane minor arterial (MNR 4). Keep in mind that the "need" recommendations of the 2025 Plan for four lanes on Exposition were made before the Brack Tract/State School development possibilities were raised.

IMHO: Bike lanes (with reasonable parking limits) are a VITAL tool for protecting Exposition against expansion. The neighborhood needs to stop looking at this as a parking preservation issue. With four lanes, there will be no parking at any time. Instead, the neighborhood needs to look at this as an opportunity to preserve Exposition as it is, and to prevent a four lane road (like Lamar) from showing up in the middle of our 'hood.