City looks to adopt “complete streets” resolution

By Joe Bachman
Editor
STEVENS POINT — Planning commission officials adopted a “complete streets” resolution for the city.
The term was coined by American Bikes which ensures that the right of way of streets are designed for safe access of all users — bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. According to text from the agenda item:
“The Community Development department intends to incorporate complete street standards within the Land Development Code, such as within the subdivision chapter. In addition to incorporating complete street design standards, the code will also include aesthetic components.“
Bicycle and Pedestrian Street Safety Commission member Trevor Roark spoke in favor of the resolution:
“It’s evident to staff, public officials, and residents alike that our streets are not safe for all users, and they are primarily car-centric,” said Roark. “You don’t have to look far to experience this issue. Walk along the sidewalk of the north side of Centerpoint Drive — how safe to you feel? Ride your bicycle along Division Street between Maria and Northpoint — how safe was that ride?”
In the resolution, it states that street and transportation facilties must be designed for the safety and convenience of all users of city streets. This includes: pedestrians, bicyclists, those with differing abilities, transit users, automobile drivers, commercial vehicles, freight haulers, and emergency vehicles.
The resolution will see a final vote at this month’s common council.
If the streets are not safe for all users you don’t have to look far to experience this issue. If bicyclists feel uneasy riding Hwy 66, they should use side streets or share a sidewalk with peestrians.Widen and paint the sidewalks for bikes and pedestrians. We don’t make separate lanes for cars and for trucks, they get along and share the roads. Time to educate all users of the road