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Resident warns council that bike-lane curbs on West Maple Avenue create hazards for cyclists and drivers
Summary
A long-time Springdale resident urged the council to remove concrete curb features in the city’s protected bike lanes on West Maple Avenue, saying the curbs have been hit repeatedly and can throw cyclists into traffic.
During the public comment period at Tuesday’s Springdale City Council meeting, resident Melinda Mason urged the council to reconsider the curb-protected bike lanes installed on West Maple Avenue near Holcomb and the Jones Clinic.
Mason, who said she has lived in Springdale for about 40 years, described multiple incidents in which cyclists riding in the marked bike lane encountered short concrete curbs and other features that she said are unexpected and can throw riders off balance. She described one recent fall in which a cyclist “ran up on the edge of it” and was thrown into the roadway, and said sections of the curbing have been struck by vehicles and are crumbling or scuffed.
She also told the council she recently nearly collided with riders who were using the bike lane in the wrong direction and said the current curb configuration gives cyclists a false sense of protection. Mason recommended the city remove the curbs and instead add large stenciled arrows to direct cyclists with the flow of traffic.
The council took no action during the meeting; Mason’s remarks were recorded as public comment and were not on the meeting’s agenda.
Ending: Council members thanked Mason for bringing the concerns forward; staff did not announce any immediate changes and said the item would need to be referred to the appropriate department for follow-up.
