Action: Support and choose bike paths to connect UNR to downtown, Midtown, Sparks, and beyond.
[On behalf of our university's Bicycle Working Group, we published a similar article in Nevada Today. Below is the version that includes our specific recommendations..This is co-authored by Tom Albright and Jennifer Kent, with contributions from other members of BWG. Please respond to the survey by June 30th!]
The City of Reno and Washoe Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) are planning to make some improvements to our streets that will make it easier and safer for people (as bikes, pedestrians, and cars) to navigate downtown Reno. One roadway that could see improvements is our very own University Way, connecting the University to downtown and midtown by way of a two-way protected bike path. RTC is looking for feedback and the University’s Bicycle Working Group is rallying The Pack to make sure our HOWL of approval is heard.
Evidence is clear that these types of enhancements make our streets safer, whether you are walking, biking, or driving. And we know they are essential for getting more people on bikes, which is a win not only for bike riders’ health, happiness, and pocketbook, but for our community. Numerous studies and experiences have shown mobility infrastructure to be good for business, to enhance downtown vitality, improve air quality, and even to help keep congestion at bay.
Here's what we are asking you to do: RTC has commissioned a neat web presentation and public input tool. Please complete this before the June 30 deadline. Be sure to complete both parts: the corridor concepts review and the one-question survey.
We love all the options, but some seem more important than others. So, we put together some points to consider and included specific ratings that get at some preferences to get you started. Of course, please rate them as you see fit!
University Way/Center Street - this would run from the heart of Midtown all the way o the main South entrance to campus. This is a key connection, a great and worthy entry to the University and we think would see heavy use. It is a two-way track on an otherwise one-way road, so there are a few engineering challenges with signals and making sure crossings are safe, but this was already studied and supported as our best North to South connection. We see this new pathway as a continuation of the Wolf Pack Way, opening our campus up to the community and keeping everyone safe in the process. [Our suggestion: 10s!]
5th and 6th Streets - vital east-west connections. Enhancing the recent infrastructure on 5th St and adding 6th St will help the Wolf Pack reach the bike route on east 4th St to get to Sparks. However, there’s a major gap on the west side. RTC is planning major safety upgrades including a combo of buffered bike lanes or a separated multi-use path all the way to West McCarran on 4th St west of Keystone. But we need to make sure there’s a safe/protected route to get there from downtown. [Our suggestion: 10s! and request a protected West 4th St connection between Washington St through the Keystone intersection]
Evans/Lake Streets - a key connection for anyone going to the eastern side of campus (CABNR, Engineering, Med School, etc.) and is an additional N/S route that bypasses downtown but serves the bus station and ballpark among other destinations. [Our suggestion: 9s]
Virginia St - would also benefit from protected/semi-protected bike lanes and has the advantage of being on a street that is already slower and has some commerce. A significant disadvantage of this is that for a couple weeks of the prime riding season, it will be blocked to bikes for events. Both University and Virginia could be justified for these improvements, but if there’s only one, our vote is for University Way. [Our suggestion: 8s]
Vine Street – a nice connection between NW Reno, West Downtown (“Neon Line District”), and Riverwalk. However, we prefer the flatter slope, greater width, and connectivity of a Washington St route so we are suggesting that Washington would be a better choice for safety improvements. [Our suggestion: 8s but suggest a comment favoring Washington St]
3rd St – we love the Dutch-style sidewalk-level bike path, which would complement the crucial N/S and E/W connections listed above. [Our suggestion: 8s]
We are neutral on the many/cheap vs. few/costly survey question at the end. In some cases, infrastructure can be really inexpensive, but in others, more involved engineering and construction is called for.
The Bicycle Working Group has been in regular communication with those leading the project at RTC, many of whom are our alumni. We’re thrilled about the prospect of these improvements for our community and their potential to help the University meet many of the goals in the strategic plan including Making Silver and Blue the New Green, Strengthening the Pack and Expanding the Wolf Pack Impact.
Please show your support for this new and exciting infrastructure that we think will benefit our Wolf Pack for years to come!
