City, County and UVa Vow to Make Bike Safety a Priority

Updated: 8:08 PM Sep 9, 2010

Leaders from the city, county and University of Virginia announced Thursday that safety on the roads for both bicyclists and motorists is a priority. A recent survey shows that 82 percent of respondents want more safe places to bike.

Posted: 6:07 PM Sep 9, 2010
Reporter: Chris Stover
Email Address: chris.stover@newsplex.com

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September 9, 2010

Leaders from the city, county and University of Virginia announced Thursday that safety on the roads for both bicyclists and motorists is a priority.

According to results from a recent survey, that's exactly what people want.

Biking advocates released the results of the Bike Ballot Thursday afternoon. It was a survey conducted earlier this summer that asked for feedback on how to improve safety on the roads.

Out of more than 500 respondents, 82 percent say they want more safe places to bike.

"We're going to take that information, and we're going to develop it into an action plan for the next few years, where we're going to work directly with the city, county and UVa to put into place," said Heather Higgins of Bike Charlottesville, a bicycle advocacy group.

Today's event was the beginning of an initiative to educate bicyclists and motorists about the rules of the road.

"What we really learned is how committed the city, county and university are to working together to make this more bike friendly community," Higgins said.

With plans in development, the groups are ready to move forward to make the area safer and more bike friendly.

"We're not starting from scratch," Mayor Dave Norris said. "This is a community that for many years has put a priority on promoting alternative transportation. But we know there's a long way to go to get to where we ultimately want to be."

Leaders aren't just promoting bicycle safety, but general road safety. For one cycling mom, it also means the safety of her son.

"He doesn't really feel safe on the roads. I don't feel safe having him on the roads," bicyclist Lorenna Schneehagen said. "It's more than just about yourself. It's about everyone in the community feeling safe to cycle.

The conversation reached its peak in April, when UVa grad student Matt King was struck and killed by a city utility truck while riding his bike.

The message at Thursday's announcement was that it's going to take cooperation from both cyclists and motorists to keep the streets safe.

"It's not about pitting the needs of the drivers against the needs of bicyclists," Norris said. "It's about finding solutions that ensure the safety of all users of our streets and our sidewalks and our bike trails."

Leaders say while events like this are spurred through tragedy, they're an important step to make sure future tragedies never occur.

Norris said the results of the Bike Ballot will help shape plans to improve bike safety in the city. Part of those plans include public educations for both bicyclists and drivers, in addition to enforcement.

Latest Comments

Posted by: scoobydoo Location: charlottesville on Sep 10, 2010 at 10:56 AM

The only way to fairly support this issue is to have cycylist register and taxed just as vehicles are on the road. The extra paint for the bike lane striping isn't free. And personally, I don't want 1 penny of my taxes to pay for any improvements for this. Tax them and use that money for '' any and all improvements''

Posted by: nicknameoscar Location: Earlysville on Sep 10, 2010 at 08:52 AM

"The 2010 Bike Ballot, administered by Bike Charlottesville and the Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation" The above is quoted from The Daily Progress. At least the DP is a "little" more forthcoming regarding what cross section of the community the survey was addressed. @ gsd, I would bet that at least 50% of my encounters with bicyclists involves what you are talking about. So, if someone absolutely, positively HAS to spend MY tax money to benefit something like 0.6% of the population, then at least spend it on education and enforcement.

Posted by: biketowork Location: Cville on Sep 10, 2010 at 07:30 AM

I completely agree GSD. It has to work in both directions. Bicyclists do need to obey the laws if they ride, but that only works if motorists acknowledge the legality and right of those of us who cycle to follow those laws. The main difference is that when a cyclists bends a traffic law, you are not in danger but just annoyed. When a motorist bends the laws, my life is in jeopardy. I ride 10 mi each day to and from work. Not a day goes by that at least one motorists reacts with disdain and recklessness just so they can make it known that they don't think I belong on the road next to them. As for running red lights... lets fix those major intersections so I don't have to. If no car is waiting, the light will NEVER turn green, but it is illegal to ride the crosswalk. I drive a car too, but choose to ride for a lot of reasons. It mainly makes me feel more connected to my surroundings, my neighborhood, my community, but also to the lack of understanding on the part of motorists.

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