Downtown Omaha Bikeway Test Will Begin This Spring
A protected bike lane pilot project will begin in downtown Omaha later this month.
The Market to Midtown Bikeway will be installed on Harney Street, from Dewey east to 10th Street. The bikeway is a partnership between the City of Omaha, Metro Smart Cities Inc. and Bike Walk Nebraska.
“The goal is to increase bicycle ridership and the use of bike shares and scooters,” Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert said in a news release. “The pilot will provide information and data that can be used to determine best practices for the potential installation of permanent bicycle infrastructure in the city.”
The protected lane, created with flexible delineators, will separate the two right lanes on Harney Street, reducing the number of traffic lanes by one. Harney Street is one-way eastbound in the pilot area, with three traffic lanes and two curbside parking lanes.
Traffic studies completed by the Public Works Department show the reduction in traffic lanes will not have a significant impact on vehicle traffic. Harney Street provides a good location for the pilot due to a mix of office, retail, residential, bar and restaurant businesses, Metro bus stops and parking meters.
Parallel parking spaces will be “floated” into the streets. Parked vehicles will provide additional separation between bicycle and vehicle traffic. The same concept will be used for bus stops
The Market to Midtown Bikeway pilot is a recommendation made by the Smart Cities Advisory Committee, convened in 2017 to innovate transportation changes. The committee implemented a regional plan that led to the ConnectGO initiative in partnership with the Greater Omaha Chamber.
The agreement will be in effect until Sept. 30, 2022. It requires Metro Smart Cities to install and maintain the protected lane, meet with business and property owners along Harney Street, operate a hotline to encourage public input, and respond to complaints, suggestions and requests for maintenance.
Smart Cities will also provide snow removal and street sweeping in the bikeway. The city can terminate the agreement early if the terms of the agreement are not met. The approximate cost of the bikeway pilot is $250,000, paid by Metro Smart Cities.
Market-to-Midtown Bikeway Q&A
What is a bikeway? Bikeways are protected lanes for people riding bikes. They’re common in bigger cities, and have proven to increase safety for people, whether they are biking, walking or driving.
Who runs the bikeway? Metro Bikeways, which will be a network of bikeways across our area, is a pilot project, organized through a partnership between Bike Walk Nebraska and Metro Smart Cities.
How does the bikeway work? The project will start with the Market-to-Midtown Bikeway, on Harney Street from 10th Street to Turner Boulevard. During the 18-month pilot period, Metro Smart Cities will be collecting data and feedback to determine the viability of more (and longer) bikeways in our community.
Why do we need a bikeway? Bikeways create separate spaces for people riding bikes and scooters, driving cars, and walking, while also leaving room for parking.
Why are bikeways important? One of the biggest benefits of a bikeway is increased safety — riders instinctively feel safer, and when riders feel safe they are more likely to consider their bicycle as a viable transportation choice. Bikeways lead to better air quality and a healthier environment for everyone. Bikeways encourage active transportation.
What does this mean for Omaha? To attract younger generations, our city must offer choices for various lifestyles, including different modes of transportation. Bikeways are a key to viable active transportation infrastructure, and they provide a safe route for all residents who want options outside of their cars.
When can I ride on the Market-to-Midtown Bikeway? The Bikeway pilot will launch in May 2021. More information will be coming on the opening soon. Users will be encouraged to provide feedback online at MetroSmartCities.org/bikeways.
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