Calling all cyclists,

Sometime last week "NO Bicycle" signs went up on Chappell Blvd.  Three on the north bound side, one on the south bound side, between Osuna and Singer.  Below is my inquiry to Mark Motsko, Public Information Officer from the Department of Municipal Development about these signs and his reply. 

Duke City Wheelmen as well as members of the Greater Albuquerque Bicycle Advisory Committee (GABAC) are very concerned about the precedent that this action sets. 

Riding on Chappell instead of on the adjacent multi-use path (MUP) has been discussed on the bike racer list-serve previously, but no matter what your thoughts are about the wisdom of riding on Chappell, the problem with these signs is bigger.

There is no indication that a meaningful "engineering and traffic investigation"  as called for in the ordinance governing placement of such restrictions actually occurred.  Points of contention with this decision also include:

• GABAC, a long standing City committee that deals with bicycle issues was not consulted. 
• No input from the cycling community was taken. 
• No provision is made under this decision for cyclists to access businesses on Chappell.
  
• The importance of alternate routes for cyclists parallel to MUPs to alleviate congestion and improve safety during peak-use periods is ignored.
• The far from optimal crossing of Osuna from the MUP is also ignored.  I know that my main reason for riding Chappell instead of the MUP is my desire to cross Osuna within normal traffic flow patterns, rather that riding in the cross walk, while looking out for both right and left turning vehicles. 
• Further, banning bicycles from this public street was undertaken as the first course of action. What about education?  What about enforcement?  There are other ways to address the issue that were not utilized.
• I am not in favor of letting this ban, due to complaints citing something as vague as "near misses" set a precedent.  This is not the only street where cyclists ride alongside large trucks or heavy equipment. 
  

I feel we need to speak-up on this one, by writing to Mayor Berry and our City Council Members, and remind the City that bicycles are legal vehicles on the road.

To contact Mayor Berry:  mayorberry@...
To contact your Councilor:  http://cabq.gov/council/councilors

Chappell Dr. NE is in Councilor District 2, Debbie O'Malley's district.

• Councilor Debbie O'Malley: domalley@...
• Policy Analyst Kelly Sanchez-Pare:ksanchez-pare@...

You can also join DCWF and GABAC members at this coming Wednesday's City Council meeting to speak about this issue during the public comment period that occurs at the beginning of the meeting.  That is Wednesday January 18th at 5:00 pm.

Thank you,
Jennifer





Mark,
Duke City Wheelmen Foundation is seeking information about the "no bicycle" signs that were recently placed on Chappel Blvd NE between Singer and Osuan.  We would like to know who authorized placement of these signs.  In addition we are interested in the process that was followed in the decision to ban bicycles from this stretch of street.  What criteria were used?  Who was solicited for input into this decision?  What exactly did the " engineering and traffic investigation" consist of in this instance?  I'm referring to the " engineering and traffic investigation" that is stipulated in City ordinance 8-1-2-15 when a restriction is being considered?

Thank you,

Jennifer Buntz
President, Duke City Wheelmen Foundation
bikefunsafe@...

§ 8-1-2-15  RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN STREETS.

     (A)     The Mayor, or his designated representative, is hereby authorized, upon the basis of engineering and traffic investigation, to establish load restrictions upon streets, to prohibit commercial vehicles from certain streets, to prohibit through traffic from using side residential streets, to designate and restrict heavily traveled streets upon which motorscooters, bicycles, animals or nonmotorized traffic are prohibited, to restrict the movement of traffic on certain streets, alleys or public  grounds to one way or direction only, and to restrict the movement of traffic on certain streets and alleys to one way or direction at certain times of the day and to another way or direction at other times of the day, regardless of the center line of the roadway; and to erect and maintain any and all necessary signs, markers, barriers or other devices to give notice thereof.

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