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Cycling group asks council for safer streets, invites members to Ride of Silence
Summary
Mobile Bay Riders, a local cycling club, urged the council to continue adding bike lanes and promoted a Ride of Silence event to raise awareness for cyclists killed or injured on city roads. Council members and staff described incremental progress, including upcoming Broad Street repairs that will add a bike lane segment.
Representatives of the Mobile Bay Riders asked the Mobile City Council on May 6 to support improved cycling infrastructure and invited councilmembers and residents to the "Ride of Silence" on May 23.
Rick Palaczek, president of Mobile Bay Riders, told the council the club represents more than 100 local riders and that the May event, hosted with Mobile Parks and Recreation, "commemorates cyclists killed and supports those that were injured" and raises awareness among motorists and decision-makers.
Council members said the city has made incremental progress on bike safety. One councilmember noted that planned repairs and roadway work on Broad Street will add a missing bike-lane segment that now leaves a gap between Government Street and Arlington Park. Vice President Gregory and other councilmembers praised the club's advocacy and encouraged public education campaigns to improve motorist awareness and reduce conflicts.
The council did not take a formal vote on an ordinance or funding request. Members said they will continue to include bike facilities in road-widening projects and welcomed the club's participation in future planning conversations.
The Mobile Bay Riders described the group as a 501(c)(7) social club founded from a 2017 informal group and said the Ride of Silence and National Bike Month are opportunities to highlight roadway safety needs for cyclists.
