Rosemount's Bike Lane Proposal Generates Lots of Discussion

The Rosemount City Council approved the 2012 Street Improvement Projects plan Tuesday, but not before residents spoke out about it during the Council's public hearing.

Included in the city's 2012 Street Improvement Projects is bike lane striping and signing on 145th Street between Chippendale Avenue and Highway 3, which will cost $15,900. According to City Engineer Andrew Brotzler, the council had three choices concerning the proposed striping:

• No striped bicycle lanes, signs only: This option would include 11 foot wide thru lanes with signs indication shared use of the parking lane with bicyclists.
• Designated bicycle lanes with parking on one side of the roadway: This option would also include 11 foot wide thru lanes with a 5 foot wide bike lane on the north side and 6 foot wide bike lane on the south side. It would also include parking to remain on one side of the roadway between Chippendale Avenue and Cameo Avenue.
• Shared bicycle lanes with no loss of parking: This option would also include 11 foot wide thru lanes which would let bicyclists utilize the roadway lanes with motorists. Markings would be painted in the lanes that allow for bicyclists to share the road with motorists. No parking would be lost on Chippendale Avenue to Highway 3.

Several residents made it a point to speak out against the bike lanes before the council voted on it. 

"I don't want to see my parking on either side of the streets for bicyclists," said Maureen Geraghty Bouchard, who has lived in her Rosemount home for 22 years.

Geraghty Bouchard added that there has never been problems with bicyclists in that area before, therefore, she felt there was no reason to create bike lanes. She was also worried about losing parking for residents and guests on that street. "I don't see the need or expense of it," she said.

Don Sinnwell, a homeowner and business owner on 145th Street, echoed Geraghty Bouchard's thoughts. "We don't need a dedicated bike lane [on 145th Street]."

Sinnwell was also concerned with safety issues. "You're proposing narrowing lanes by putting in bike lanes ... take option one and put in signage."

Rosemount resident Tom Piekarski also spoke at the hearing and provided the council with pictures he'd taken, proving there wouldn't be a lot of room for bicyclists to move around cars if a door was propped open.

"There's really not a lot of good options there," Councilman Jeff Weisenchel said.

Councilwoman Kim Shoe-Corrigan said she was in favor "of maintaining parking on both sides." 

Brotzler answered several of the council's questions regarding bike lanes. The council previously decided to support Dakota County is promoting and educating people to lead an active life, he said.

"[One of] the Council's goals is to promote the active living component," Brotzler said.   

Bikes lanes would encourage people to bike to locations throughout the city instead of driving. 

The Council evenutally chose to go with the first option regarding bike lanes, which includes only adding signage. The vote was 5-0.

Brotzler said bids would be put out in February or March, and construction on the project should begin June 2012 and would be completed by fall 2012.