Community Forum for Chapel Hill Bike Plan set for May 9

Are you a cycling enthusiast? Maybe you haven’t ridden a bike in a while but want to. Perhaps you enjoy riding only on greenways or trails? Do you ride your bike to work or school? Do your kids ride a bike? Are you concerned about transportation issues?

If you answered yes, then you’ll want to come to “Bike to the Future,” a community forum for the Chapel Hill Bike Plan set for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Drive.

The Town of Chapel Hill planning process is one of many public outreach opportunities of DESIGN Chapel Hill 2020, the title given to the implementation phase of the community’s new comprehensive plan. “Connected Community” (including Chapel Hill Bike Plan) is one of the Big Idea initiatives that embody the essence of the Chapel Hill 2020 goals.

When completed, the Chapel Hill Bike Plan will provide a “how-to-guide” for making Chapel Hill a place where more people can safely ride their bikes to more places in the community. The Council is committed to building a more connected, bikeable community, as stated in Chapel Hill 2020 Plan.

“We will have an opportunity in creating this plan to look at our streets and policies to see what’s working – and what could work better,” said Garrett Davis, a Town of Chapel Hill transportation planner.

During the Chapel Hill 2020 planning process, residents expressed that they want more facilities and street design features that promote safe bicycling. People said there should be improved connectivity between important destinations and that bicycling can become part of a healthy active lifestyle.
The Community Survey of 2011 showed that 5.2 percent of residents ride a bicycle and that 64 percent of residents felt that riding a bicycle was safe in Chapel Hill.

“We think that number should be higher, and this plan is going to show us what steps the Town can take to make that happen” said David Bonk, transportation planning manager for the Town of Chapel Hill.

A steering committee will meet over the next year to guide the plan, and there will be many opportunities for the community to contribute. The committee will work closely with staff and Bill Schultheiss of Toole Design Group , the lead consultant. A final plan is expected to be presented to the Council in November 2013.

For more information contact Garrett Davis at bikeplan@townofchapelhill.org
Visit The Chapel Hill Bike Plan on the web at http://www.townofchapelhill.org/bikeplan
Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thechapelhillbikeplan
Toole Design Group http://www.tooledesign.com