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Cyclists and residents warn Lamar bike-lane design creates 'dooring' risk
Summary
Multiple public commenters told council the planned parking layout on Lamar south of College reduces a 5-foot bike lane to about 4 feet without a 2–3 foot buffer, increasing the risk of cyclist 'dooring'; staff said the lane width would be addressed.
Several residents and cycling advocates told the council they consider the Lamar bike-lane design unsafe and inconsistent with national guidance.
Paul Young, who described frequent bike trips through Overland Park, said photographs and measurements show the proposed lane will be 4 feet wide where guidelines call for 5 feet plus a 2–3 foot buffer. "The proposed configuration does not meet the guidelines... This could be deadly for a cyclist," Young said, warning that parked drivers opening doors would encroach into the bike lane.
Doug Stone, a regional cyclist and board member of cyclingcanseecity.org, cited NACTO guidance and called the lane "dangerous," saying a rider and an accompanying attorney questioned whether sovereign-immunity protections would apply if someone were hurt on a nonconforming design. City staff acknowledged concerns and said the bike lane width is currently 4 feet and "they're going to address that," indicating staff plans to shift the lane to meet the 5-foot standard and respond to the safety points raised.
Council members said the comments and photos provided by speakers would be considered as staff refines the design and that additional coordination with public works will follow.
