Abby Hoover
Managing Editor

Truman Road’s recently installed bike lanes may be going away after complaints from business owners along the corridor.

An ordinance to remove the bike lanes on the north side of Truman Road was introduced in last week’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee by Third District Councilmembers Melissa Robinson and Brandon Ellington, who have faced pressure from longtime business owners.
The initial ordinance proposed removing the bike lakes, which have been installed on either side of the street, altogether.

However, they have tentatively settled on an amendment to Ordinance No. 220318, which would remove the bike lanes on the north side of East Truman Road from Holmes Street to Belmont Avenue from the list of bicycle facilities to be implemented as part of the one-year work plan and add a cycle track on the south side of East Truman Road from Holmes Street to Belmont Avenue within 60 days.

“The way the bike lanes on Truman Road have been installed is causing a safety challenge for road users and is disruptive for small businesses,” the ordinance reads. “Vision Zero was passed for the purpose of increasing safety and having a parking and driving lane simultaneously is dangerous and has the potential to be fatal for road users. The vision for the Truman Road Complete Streets Plan was for a safe, accessible, comfortable, and welcoming Complete Streets corridor which would serve all modes of transportation, and serve as a catalyst for economic and community development.”

During the Complete Streets planning process, constituents along Truman Road provided clear feedback of the importance of preserving parking, the text continues.

“Truman Road Complete Streets was not completed with fidelity in that the plan provided for full-time parking, bus structures, benches, pedestrian lighting, and trash cylinders,” according to the draft ordinance. “The City recognizes the need for immediate safe parking options and bicycling connectivity, and many of the businesses experiencing economic loss are located on the north side of Truman Road and safe parking on the north side can also serve businesses on Truman Road.”

Businesses along Truman Road have reported lost revenue due to removed parking and access, as well as decreased access for those living with disabilities due to the way the bike lanes on Truman Road have been designed and implemented.

Additionally, the ordinance would direct the City Manager to implement the other recommendations in the Planning Sustainable Places Complete Street Plan including covered bus stops, pedestrian lighting and trash receptacles.

Public comment at the February 1 meeting focused on the bike lanes, with many people speaking both in opposition and in favor of the project, which was implemented – at least in part – as a traffic calming measure for the seven lane wide corridor.

The ordinance is held in committee until February 15.