Ironclad Bicycles
710 White Spar Rd., Prescott, AZ 86303
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DAMN!


Prescott council nixes bicycle lanes on Sixth Street
Vote splits 4-3 to re-stripe road without bike lanes

By Cindy Barks
The Daily Courier

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

PRESCOTT - In a move that one councilman predicted would upset advocates on both sides of the issue, the Prescott City Council opted this week for three lanes on Sixth Street, without striped bicycle lanes.

By a 4-3 vote on Tuesday, the council approved re-striping the central Prescott street to include one driving lane in each direction and a center left-turn lane.

That will be a change from the current street configuration that includes two driving lanes in each direction, but it falls short of the recommended three lanes with a striped bike path on each side.

For the past two weeks - ever since city engineering staff recommended re-striping a portion of Sixth Street - the matter has generated a heated debate in the community. While a number of Sixth Street business owners have urged the council to retain the four-lane configuration, many biking advocates have pushed for three lanes, with the addition of bicycle lanes.

The debate continued at this week's meeting, which attracted dozens of audience members and involved nearly two hours of discussion.

From the start, several council members pushed for a compromise somewhere between the current four-lane configuration and the three-lane/bike-path option.

Councilman Bob Roecker, for instance, acknowledged that three driving lanes would make traffic safer on Sixth Street. But at the same time, he said he was not comfortable with encouraging more bike traffic along the busy corridor.

"The best solution is one that will probably tick off both the business people and the bicyclists," Roecker said, referring to the change to three lanes, without bike lanes.

Council members Mary Ann Suttles, Jim Lamerson, and Bob Bell all supported Roecker's motion to that effect, while Mayor Jack Wilson and council members Lora Lopas and Robert Luzius opposed it because of the elimination of the bike lanes.

Luzius, who was out of town on Tuesday but participated in the meeting via a telephone conference call, took a strong stand for the addition of bike lanes.

"I believe we owe it to the bicycle people," he said. "They have rights just like anyone else."

And as the majority of the council appeared to be leaning toward just three driving lanes, Luzius said he was "dismayed with the fact that everyone doesn't have the courage to make the right decision."

Members of the audience had equally strong feelings about the matter. Prescott resident Wanda Woodbury said striped bike lanes would help to set boundaries for motorists and cyclists. "I find as a bicyclist I feel a tad safer in a bike lane," she said.

And beyond that, Woodbury said, "Bike lanes are green; bike lanes are what you should be encouraging. It goes backwards to go otherwise."

But area business owner John Stelmach maintained that the four-lane configuration had worked well for about 20 years. He added: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Concerns also arose about the traffic confusion that could result from having a narrow center turning lane, with two wide driving lanes in each direction.

To help offset that, Traffic Engineer Ian Mattingly said the city likely would increase the width of the center turn lane slightly, and make the two driving lanes narrower.

After the meeting, Engineering Services Director Mark Nietupski said the striping change would occur next week.

In addition to the lane reconfiguration, the council also supported creating a crosswalk near the Granite Creek Park.

Contact the reporter at cbarks@prescottaz.com


Content © 2008 Daily Courier/dCourier.com
Software © 1998-2008 1up! Software, All Rights Reserved
These people do not think bicyclists should be allowed on city streets... they must be stopped!


Why are they smiling? They have broken the public trust... again! They have ingnored the advice of the cities traffic engineers, the Traffic Coordinating Committee, the Bicycle Advisory Committee and the will of the people, and redesigned a public street in council chambers. They removed a key design element that would have increased safety for all road users... the white stripe that would have designated a bicycle lane. Their warped idea is that making the road more dangerous will discourage bicycle riding there, but for many Sixth Street is the shortest route from point A to point B and they have to ride there, and they have a right to be there. It is the City Council's duty to make the city safe for all citizens, and they have failed.
Let our city council know you want prescott to be a bicycle friendly community - write them here.
http://www.cityofprescott.net/email.php?id=4


4/8/08
If the future of safe bicycling in Prescott is important to you, please read:

The Prescott City Council will consider two options for re-striping
6th St.  at two upcoming meetings in April. The council will consider
"Option A" (3 - lanes plus bicycle lanes) or "Option B" (existing 4 -
lane) for implementation.

This item will be placed on the April 15th Council Study Session for
discussion: and April 22nd Voting Session for decision. All meetings
will be held in Council chambers at 201 S. Cortez St., Prescott, AZ.
86303

Background: Since the conception of a bicycle and pedestrian
transportation system in Prescott, 6th Street has been identified as a
crucial link in the network of trails, bike routes, and bike lanes
that would comprise such a system. The inclusion of bike lanes on this
road  was listed as a priority in the 2003 Prescott Bicycle and
Pedestrian Master Plan.

City of Prescott engineering staff presented a plan that would have
had three lanes (two through lanes and a center turn lane) plus
bicycle lanes at the time 6th Street was reconstructed. This design
was presented because it not only complied with the guidance of the
2003 Prescott Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, but because it was
also the logical choice, as such a design was proven be safer and more
efficient. Study has shown this type of road design would not only
reduce the risk of collisions, it would also flow more traffic.

Unfortunately, the Mayor and Council, at the time this was presented,
reacted to the unfounded fears of a few vociferous businessmen, and
directed city staff to stripe the newly reconstructed road in the
manner they had become accustomed to; the current 4 lane
configuration.

In the intervening years, the Prescott Bicycle Advisory Committee,
Prescott Alternative Transportation, and numerous community activists
have lobbied the Mayor and Council to revisit this issue. Former Mayor
Simmons acknowledged the decision to overturn the original plan was a
mistake, and pledged to see the road re-striped to three lanes with
bike lanes. Mayor Wilson directed traffic engineering staff to conduct
a new traffic study which revealed "Option A" would still likely be
the safest for all users.

Opportunity: This is a crucial opportunity for pedestrians and
bicyclists to show our city leadership that the option to safely
choose bicycling or walking is important to you, and to help them do
the right thing.

Action:
1. Please plan on coming to the Prescott City Council study session at
3:00 pm Tuesday April 15th, to show your support for "Option A"...
Please ride your bike if possible. If you work, consider taking a
couple hours off. If you are a student, ask permission to skip. If you
are a teacher or professor, bring your kids or make it a civics
assignment... this is that important.

Bonus: April 15th is also the kickoff of PAT's "Bike Month" and the
Mayor should be reading the official Bike Month Proclamation at the
beginning of the meeting... be there on time to cheer that, then
follow up with PAT's Bike Month kick off party on the patio of Coyote
Joe's at 5:00pm.

2. Contact Prescott's Mayor and Council, and let them know you value
the ability to choose bicycling or walking, that safety is important
to you, and being bicycle friendly is good for Prescott. Help them to
make it easy to for them to choose "Option A". You can e-mail them
here: http://www.cityofprescott.net/email.php?id=4

3. If you know any owners or mangers of businesses in close proximity
to 6th St., contact them in advance of the meeting. Let them know how
important this change is for our community, and help them to
understand this change will result in a safer and more efficient road
for all users, including their customers, their employees, and
themselves.

4. Spread the word, tell your co-workers, friends, and family. Forward
this email, or print this and give it to somebody. Invite others to
join you at the council meeting April 15th. Write a letter to the
editor, call in to a radio show.

5. Get involved; come to other Bike Month activities to learn how link
up with Prescott Alternative Transportation, Prescott Bicycle Advisory
Committee, Prescott Cycling Club, Yavapai Trails Assn., Open Space
Alliance, Prescott Creeks, and others working for quality of life
issues in our community.

Thanks in advance,
See you during Bike Month,
Jim Knaup, Chairman,
Bike Month Committee of Prescott Alternative Transportation


Get Ready for Bike Month:
We have been hard with Prescott Alternative Transportation to get the new calendar for bike month together. Click on their name to see the latest details. Bike Month  in Prescott this year is April 15th to May 16th... it includes a lot of great events including two free maintenance seminars at IRONCLAD... call 776 1755  to reserve a space>



8/1/07 The Big Revolution comes to Prescott!

At Ironclad Bicycles, we have been watching the phenomenon of 29 inch wheeled mountain bikes go from cult fad to mainstream acceptance... and we couldn't be happier... we love 'niners! For some time now, we have offered a variety of 29 inchers from Gary Fisher... great hardtails in steel or aluminum frames, full suspension 29's, and single speeds. Now, some of our other manufacturers are getting in on the act - Specialized is coming out with 29" Rockhoppers and Stumpjumpers, and SE Bikes has come out with their wonderful 29" Stout. What more could we ask for? How about the best of the best?

Ironclad Bicycles is proud to announce that we have been named Prescott's exclusive dealer for Niner Bikes! Niner Bikes has won wide acclaim for their quality frames made from scandium, Reynolds steel tubing, and aluminum. Their new full suspension bike - the R.I.P. 9 - is already winning awards.
Check out their website http://www.ninerbikes.com

Come see what all the fuss is about... but be careful... you may get hooked!

PCC Loop Challenge Ride.
The second running of the  Jerry Doss Memorial Skull Valley Loop Challenge is fast approaching.
For 2007 the date will be September 16th... mark your calendars, and plan to ride! Check out http://www.prescottcycling.org for more information. There are 54 mile and Century ride options.



News: Ironclad Bicycles now has greater diversity! We have recently added Fuji and SE bicycles to our product mix. Fuji's motto is "Simply Better", they have been building bicycles since 1899, and their bicycles are designed to fit the needs of riders around the world... some models seem to have more of a European influence, some are designed for everyday use,  and others designed to meet the demands of competition... but all represent a great value in bicycling.

SE is one of the true pioneers in BMX racing, design, and innovation. Founded in the 1970's, SE was the bike to have in the early days of BMX when they were well known on the winners podium. In 2006 things have come around full circle as SE rider Javier Colombo has been crowned the UCI World Champion.  Watch out for SE... they are not just fast, they are reaching new levels of cool under the direction of Todd "Wild Man" Lyons.


Welcome to IRONCLAD BICYCLES serving  Prescott and Central Yavapai County Since 1992.

We sell bicycles of the highest quality by the best manufacturers to the best people around.

We are serious about cycling... for fun... for health... for transportation... and for making the world a better place.

We actively support Prescott Alternative Transportation , Prescott Bicycle Advisory Committee, the  Thunderhead Alliance ,  IMBA, NBDA, and Bikes Belong.

Our shop is situated for some of the best road and mountain riding in the State of Arizona.

We pride ourselves on having the equipment and information you need to get the most out of your bike.

Please surf our site to learn more, or come by for a visit when you are near!





This site is maintained by the staff of Ironclad Bicycles, all rights reserved C. 1995 through 2006