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$1 million gained for bike path
Planning can begin for River Road Route

by Sheldon Shafer
The Courier-Journal
Monday, March 5, 2007

The city has secured about $1 million in federal grants to begin planning a seven-mile bikeway along River Road from near Zorn Avenue to U.S. 42. The entire project is estimated to cost $5 million to $7 million and probably will be completed in phases over five years, city officials said. The project was among numerous suggestions from a bicycle task force that grew out of a Louisville "Bicycle Summit" two years ago. Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson recently met with the task force to discuss progress in implementing some of its recommendations. The group identified the River Road corridor as a top priority for improvements. It is Louisville's only state-designated scenic byway. The corridor also is a key stretch in a long-range plan for a 100-mile loop trail for walking and biking around the county envisioned in the City of Parks program. Abramson spokesman Matt Kamer said the $1 million in grants includes $350,000 to the city and to River Fields Inc., a nonprofit group that monitors development along the river, from the National Scenic Byway Program. The rest of the money is from the Federal Highway Administration. Design work on the River Road bikeway should start later this year, officials said. The project could include a combination of on-road bike lanes and paved paths for bikers along the road. Earl Jones, president of the Louisville Bicycle Club and chairman of the mayor's bicycle task force, said he rides along River Road every chance he gets. Because bicyclists must use the road, "I don't recommend that section for anyone but an experienced cyclist," he said. "As development has increased in that area, (River Road) is being used more and more as a commuter route. The number of cars on the road has increased exponentially." Abramson said the city also is pursuing another key recommendation of the task force -- securing funding and finding a location for a downtown "bike station." Such a station would let bike commuters park their bikes at a secure location, shower and change clothes and then walk or take the bus to their workplace. Kamer said the city wants the station close to a bus line. He said the station could be free-standing or incorporated into an existing facility. Kamer said the station could cost around $2 million. Biking enthusiast Jackie Green said one location under study for the station is the Downtown YMCA on Second Street. He called the station "a great concept." In a news release about the recent meeting with the task force, Abramson said the city is "going to maintain an aggressive timetable" in promoting biking. Abramson is scheduled to speak at the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 14. Abramson said these projects should be completed this year: A $2.5 million project to complete the Levee Trail atop the southwest floodwall from the Farnsley-Moremen Landing to Chickasaw Park. $784,000 in intersection improvements at Lexington Road and Grinstead Drive. $366,000 to complete bikeways at Seneca Park and in a bikeway network along Cannons and Dutchmans lanes and Taylorsville Road near Bowman Field. Other ongoing efforts include: striping bike lanes on several major downtown streets, offering free bike racks to local businesses, biking safety educational programs and Abramson's "Hike and Bike" outings.