September 2023
Following an overwhelming show of support from Ashland residents, the City’s Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) in September approved a recommendation to the City Council to add protected bike lanes during road work happening on North Mountain Avenue in 2024. The project will also include sidewalks where they are missing. Hooray!
While ACC applauds this step forward, the TAC’s recommendation falls short in some areas. Our Streets4Everyone Action Team urge the TAC to address the following issues:
- Correct dangerous design flaws at the intersections of North Mountain with Hersey Street and East Main Street
- Align the vehicle and bike lane widths with the City’s own – and nationally-recommended – standards
- Protect the bike lanes with concrete curbing rather than plastic bollards
Please email the City Council at Council@Ashland.or.us to express your concerns about the TAC recommendation and/or voice your support for protected bike lanes. In addition to the issues listed above, here a suggested message:
“Bicycle facilities on North Mountain must be designed to be suitable for everyone, and provide effective protection and separation from passing autos and trucks – throughout the corridor including at intersections with other streets. That is the only way to make bicycling a practical way to get around town for short, in-town trips and, in that way, implement the city’s Climate and Energy Action Plan.”
When you email the City Council, please cc: info@ashlandclimate.org so we can track comments on this effort.