'Bicycle Boom' in Blue Springs

According to a recent Blue Spring Examiner story, there is a "bicycle boom" going on in Blue Springs--the direct result of a new, citywide bicycle route system that has recently been greatly expanded:

At no time during the past 30 years has Roscoe Righter seen it.
Bicyclists on U.S. 40.

Until now, that is.

"Maybe it's a coincidence, but I'm thinking that it isn't," Righter, director of the Blue Springs Parks and Recreation, said Thursday. "I'm seeing them in other places in the city, too."

But the sudden and unsurprising appearance of bicyclists throughout the city the last couple months was intentional, after all. . . .

The citywide bicycle/pedestrian path project, nine years in the planning and development, is now coming to its end. City work crews have been busy putting down lanes and erecting the signs alerting drivers and cyclists. Since the beginning of the summer, when the city began the final push to finish the project, as many as five new bike routes have appeared . . .

A suburban city that prides itself on recreation and activities notwithstanding, the project in question makes sense: once completed, it will offer several miles of designated bike and pedestrian paths in the city, many of which will link together. . . .

Bicyclists should also be aware that many of the city’s storm sewer grates have been replaced and more are scheduled for the near future. Along with lane and sign work next week on Missouri, workers will be replacing grates there, too. . . .

This year will see not only the completion of the bike/pedestrian project, but also additions and improvements to the city’s trails. The city recently finished the walking trail around the lake at Gregory Grounds Park; the small dog park at the dog park is finished as well and the Disc Golf Course at Young Park will be finished in late December for spring use.

More about Blue Spring's bicycle network is on the city's web site.