Wichita Plans 80 Miles of New Bike Lanes to Improve Cycling Safety
Every day, bicyclists in Wichita share the roads with motorists. However, without adequate protection (e.g., a vehicle frame, airbags, or seatbelts), bicyclists are at risk of sustaining serious injuries in bicycle accidents with motor vehicles. To help make Wichita safer for cyclists, city officials have considered adding more than 80 miles of new bike lanes to the city's streets and paths over the next decade.
The goal of the city's bike plan is to connect existing bike lanes and reduce car lanes on major roads. This process is called a "road diet." The plan also considers connecting Wichita's bike networks to surrounding communities such as Andover and Derby. According to city traffic engineer Lee Carmichael, Wichita's existing bike lanes begin and end too abruptly. "Can we get some fluidity to that? And yeah, that was one of the goals," said Carmichael.
What does the plan for new bike lanes entail?
Wichita now boasts 133 miles of bikeways, with more than half added under the city's 2013 bike plan. However, the latest plan seeks to expand further and balance road use between bicyclists and drivers. This could mean implementing road diets and lowering speed limits to create safer, more accessible streets. According to the draft plan, the city’s grid offers many cycling routes, wide streets, and high traffic volumes. These often make cycling challenging.
The new plan focuses on adding over 30 miles of bike lanes. Its initial projects will likely target central Wichita and west Wichita along Meridian and West Street. Another key addition includes 6.7 miles of lanes on Lincoln Street. These lanes will link the Arkansas River to Rock Road and enhance connectivity with existing north-south bikeways.
Additionally, proposed changes include converting Douglas into a three-lane roadway with parallel parking on the south side. This would allow bike lanes on both sides of the street. This corridor is a key connection between Downtown Wichita and Delano, serving numerous businesses and Century II. As bike lanes expand, the city will collaborate with Bike Walk Wichita. Together, they plan to educate the public on sharing the road safely.
According to city spokesperson Megan Lovely, this initiative is more about a "cultural shift" than simply education and infrastructure. "If we want a more cohesive cycling community to support and safer for cyclists, that’s going to be beyond our capacity, and it really has to start at the community level," said Lovely.
The city plans to fund much of its bike plan with a $458,735 federal grant approved in 2022, supplemented by $91,747 in city funds. However, how the funds will be used depends on approval from the Wichita City Council.
Why is the plan for new bike lanes important for Wichita bicyclists?
Wichita's plan to add new bike lanes could provide safer, more accessible, and more efficient ways to travel through urban and suburban areas. Dedicated bike lanes offer numerous benefits that enhance the overall biking experience and encourage more people to choose cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation. Here's how the city could benefit:
- Increased safety: Bike lanes create a designated space for cyclists, reduce conflicts with motor vehicles, and provide a buffer between bikes and cars. As a result, this reduces the likelihood of collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles.
- Encourages more bicycling: When people feel safer, they are more likely to choose biking as a viable transportation option. This leads to healthier lifestyles and reduces traffic congestion.
- Better traffic flow: Clearly marked bike lanes help organize roadways and allow for smoother traffic flow by separating different types of travelers and reducing disruptions.
Injured in a bicycle accident? We can fight for the compensation you deserve
While bike lanes are a great way to keep cyclists safe on Wichita roads, accidents involving motor vehicles and bicycles are still inevitable. If you were injured in a bicycle accident involving a negligent motorist, you could be facing serious injuries such as broken bones, spinal injuries, head injuries, or a life-threatening condition.
Your recovery could be a long and expensive process; as the medical bills pile up, you could be out of work and unable to earn a living. But you shouldn't have to pay for someone else's mistake, no matter how much the insurance companies try to shift the blame or downplay your claim.
That's why you need a skilled Wichita bicycle accident attorney on your side who will fight for you every step of the way. The lawyers at Warner Law Offices know how to hold negligent drivers and pushy insurance companies accountable.
Our legal team is committed to guiding you through every step of the process and ensuring you understand your rights and options. During a free consultation, we'll review the details of your bicycle accident, answer your questions, and provide a clear strategy for pursuing maximum compensation. Contact us online or call today to get started.
"Very professional environment. Tom was very supportive with my car accident. Christy was excellent to work with and always kept me informed of what was going on."
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