Concerns Raised Over City Bike Lane Proposal | News, Sports, Jobs

Councilman Brent Sheldon, R-Ward I, expressed concern Monday about a proposal to eliminate parking on Second Street East to make way for a dedicated bike lane. PJ photo by Eric Tichy

A proposal to eliminate parking on a portion of East Second Street to make way for a dedicated bike lane received a heated response from City Council members this week.

A resolution for the state Department of Transportation to configure East Second Street, from East Fourth Street to Tiffany Avenue, was discussed on Monday. Under the proposal, a dedicated bike lane would be added to the eastbound lane, while the westbound lane would be widened to accommodate both vehicles and bicycles.

The reconfiguration, if recommended to the state, would take place during the planned work for East Second Street in 2025.

However, Councilman Brent Sheldon, R-Ward I, said he had “several concerns” with the plan.

“I think residents, especially in the area between Winsor and Weeks streets, will be affected by this because a lot of multi-family homes don’t have off-street parking,” he said during the council’s work session.

A review by city staff found that 90% of properties have access to off-street parking.

While on his way to Monday’s meeting, Sheldon said he saw 13 vehicles parked along both sides of East Second Street between Winsor and Weeks streets.

“My biggest concern is the safety of the residents who have to be parking on the opposite side of the street where they live; bringing children across the street; bringing groceries … from shopping,” Sheldon said. “I think it’s going to be a very big security issue.”

He also noted that there are many businesses along East Second that could be affected if on-street parking is eliminated.

“People wouldn’t be able to park in front of the businesses,” he said.

Councilman Jeff Russell, R-At-Large, also said he found it “hard to believe” there is enough off-street parking for residents, noting the number of apartments on East Second.

“I think it’s going to be a big inconvenience to the public,” he said.

The resolution was also discussed by the Finance and Public Works committees of the Council.

Councilman Randy Daversa, R-At-Large, who chairs the Public Works Committee, brought up the city’s Safe Streets Initiative.

“I don’t know if we can avoid not doing some of these roads because we said a lot of people use pedal bikes and e-bikes going to (Jamestown Community College),” he said. he said. “They could very well use Second Street if they had a bike lane, so that would help in a way for the college.”

Mark Roetzer, director of the Department of Public Works, said the state will follow the city’s recommendation. He said the plan calls for adding strips to East Second Street for a bike lane. The westbound lane, he said, would go from 11 feet wide — the normal width of a travel lane — to 13 feet wide to act as a shared lane for vehicles and bicycles.

Daversa said the recently established bike lane on Washington Street appears to be working well.

Russell, however, noted that there is more commercial use along Washington while there is more residential housing on East Second.

The board plans to review the resolution further.

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