From Kansas.com…

Early next month, a city task force will roll out a 10-year plan to benefit biking in Wichita.

On Feb. 5, a steering committee will make recommendations to the Wichita City Council on a 10-year, $12.5 million plan to enhance and connect bike paths around the city.

The recommendation includes key priority projects to be financed by $500,000 in city capital improvements money every two years, or $2.5 million, with federal grant money picking up the rest of the tab.

Full story here.

Eidt: The presentations of the Wichita Bicycle Master Plan and the creation of the Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board have been postponed and tentatively rescheduled for the February 5th City Council meeting. This will allow staff an opportunity to brief the new City Council Member and to provide additional information to Council Members.

You have a an opportunity to provide input to the Wichita City Council about whether:

1. the Wichita Bicycle Master Plan should be an official guide for the City; and
2. the City should create a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.

The Wichita Bicycle Master Plan is tentatively scheduled for presentation to the City Council on January 15th. The presentation will provide Council Members an opportunity to learn more about the Plan, ask questions, receive public input, and take action. Individuals who wish to provide public comments are encouraged to do so either in person at the meeting or in writing. If you would like to provide input but are unable to attend, then you can submit written comments to the City Council Members. Their contact information is available on the City web site (link below).

In addition, an ordinance to create a Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board is also tentatively scheduled for consideration by the City Council at their January 15th meeting. The Wichita Bicycle Master Plan recommends (Strategy 27) the creation of the Board in order to accomplish many things, including: creating on-going accountability; and identifying opportunities to improve conditions for bicycling and walking in Wichita. The recommended action for the City Council is to create the Board, not to appoint individuals at the January 15th meeting. More information about this recommendation is available in the Plan document and will be available in the staff report.

Please note that the presentations of the Plan and the creation of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board are tentatively scheduled for the January 15th City Council Meeting. We will distribute another email with an update about the status of the agenda items after the agenda is finalized this Friday. The update will also include a link to the agenda, where you can view the staff reports. The City Council meetings begin at 9 am and are held in City Council Chambers on the 1st Floor of the Wichita City Hall (455 N. Main Street).

Wichita Bicycle Master Plan Presentation Video here.

City Council Info…

Wichita Bicycle Master Plan Info…

Visiting City Hall Info…

What: Redbud Trail Informational Open House.
When: Thursday, January 3rd 2013. 4:00pm – 7:00pm.
Where: Andover City Hall 1609 E Central Ave, Andover KS.

More information here.

New dam and Arkansas River path at far left.

Closed at Lincoln street during the construction of the new dam and bridge the Arkansas River path is now open once again.

Arkansas River Path under the new Lincoln Street Bridge.

You have an opportunity to provide input about the designs for the Redbud path. The draft designs will be presented at the November 5th City of Wichita District Advisory Board I meeting and are tentatively scheduled for review by the City Council on December 4th (details below). The segment of the Redbud Path under design is from I-135 to Oliver Avenue. The majority of the path has been paved and the new designs will help to complete the project by showing the location and design for the bridge over the Chisholm Creek (I-135 Canal), at-grade street crossings, neighborhood connections, landscaping, lighting, path furniture, and art.

The November 5th presentation will provide D.A.B. I an opportunity to recommend whether the City Council should approve the designs and funding for construction. Public comments are welcome and encouraged throughout the process. Individuals who wish to provide comments are encouraged to do so either in person or in writing. If you would like to provide input but are unable to attend the D.A.B. I meeting, then you can submit written comments to LaShonda Garnes, Neighborhood Assistant (contact info below). If you have any questions about the project, then you can contact the City project manager Julianne Kallman, Senior Engineer at jkallmam@wichita.gov or 268.4236.

November 5th
City of Wichita District Advisory Board I
6:30 pm
Atwater Neighborhood City Hall (2755 E. 19th St)

Contact: LaShonda Garnes, Neighborhood Assistant
lgarnes@wichita.gov

Porkchoppd Custom Bicycles monthly ride this Saturday. Meet at the shop 7603 W. 21st. Street North at 5:30pm. From there they’ll be riding to the Sonic on North Ridge Road.

Team up with Lee’s Bike Shop and the US Marine Corp For The 2nd Toys for Tots Bicycle Ride
Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Exploration Place Parking Lot/300 N. McLean Blvd

We will ride along Wichita bicycle paths to Sedgwick County Park Shelter #1 (South Entrance)/6501 W 21st St.
A 6.5 mile ride.

The Marines will meet riders at the park shelter to collect gifts. Cookies and Cocoa will be served at the park. Riders are asked to bring, on their bicycle, a new and unwrapped toy, non-perishable food items or cash donations. The shop van will be available to carry any reluctant items or to assist riders. This year Toys for Tots is in need of toys for older girls and ask that no books be donated please.

Last year over 100 riders participated – we hope that you can attend.

A lot of progress has been made on the new path that will connect the Arkansas River and the Gypsum Creek/Planeview paths. It looks like most of the concrete is in place except for a section South of Garvey Park. I estimate this new path to be about 4 miles.

Along the Arkansas River near MacArthur street as viewed from 135.

The uncompleted section is South of Garvey park.