Comments Clash on Alder Cycletrack Idea

Alder Street at 12th Avenue

By Alex Zielinski

Opinions clashed at the April 7 public meeting on whether Alder Street near the UO should be redesigned with Eugene's first separated cycletrack.

Described as a “bike highway," a cycletrack mimics the design of a regular bike path with bike lanes in each direction. The proposed cycletrack would be nestled between the sidewalk and a row of parked cars, providing a safety buffer from motor vehicle traffic.

Here's a look at a successful cycletrack in New York City:

Julie Berkbeugler, a University of Oregon graduate student, said she has biked the cycletracks in New York and liked them. “I felt safe riding the streets of the city in the cycletrack, which says a lot,” said Berkbuegler.

Peace Health employee Kathleen Brandt thought otherwise. “I am very scared of the idea of a cycletrack,” said Brandt, an Alder street resident who said she uses the bike lane at least six times a day. “Just imagine riding towards another biker who doesn’t have headlights at night or is plugged in to his iPod,” said Brandt. “Accidents are bound to happen.”

Paul Adkins of Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life said the cycletrack would improve safety. He said that the current bike lanes along one stretch of Alder, which force bicyclists to pedal towards oncoming, one-way car traffic, are causing more accidents than the cycletrack would.

“My business appreciates the current design,” said Adkins. “We have bikers coming in daily with bent bikes in need of repair, thanks to the [existing] bike lanes. It’s just an accident waiting to happen.”

In the block between 13th and 12th Avenues on Alder Street, home to a mixture of local businesses, there are now no bike lanes of any kind and the owner of Sy's Pizza spoke against adding the cycletrack. “We already have a hard time finding parking spots for delivery trucks,” said Sy’s owner, Mark Fisher. “Adding a bike lane between the parking spaces and the sidewalk would add to our problem.”

The cycletrack was the most discussed proposal at the over two-hour meeting, but participants also examined and discussed three other Alder Street design options, each presenting controversial aspects.

In response to funding from the Street Repair Bond Measure passed in 2008, the city of Eugene has formed a Transportation Advisory Committee to review the existing conditions of Alder Street between Franklin Boulevard and 18th Avenue, and work with the community to enhance the street's bike, pedestrian and car traffic and bike and car parking. In addition, the city plans to reevaluate the street design of 13th Avenue between Alder and Kincaid Streets.

However, to fund the proposed additions to the roads, the city must submit a polished project plan as a contender for a statewide competitive grant.

“The goal here is to think big,” said meeting host and city transportation planner David Roth. “Landscaping improvements, stormwater treatment additions, bike corrals, public art – it’s really up to you.”

Roth said if the city doesn't get the grant, the no-build option for Alder is the most feasible for the city at this time.

Roth predicts another public meeting near the end of May before the Technical Advisory Committee refines the final plan for the July grant deadline. “We need a solid project in order to compete with other applicants, which means community input is crucial,” he said.

Click these links to view the proposed designs for Alder Street near 11th Avenue and Alder Street between 12th and 13th Avenues.

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