Columbia, MO's, bicycle friendliness lauded, criticized

An article in the Columbia Missourian (October 2003) has various reactions from bicyclists in the Columbia area to the bicycling conditions in the area:

Avid riders are quick to rattle off Columbia’s most treacherous areas: . . .

The Columbia Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission marked these and other tight spots with pink diamonds, calling them “pinch points,” on a map made available to the public in May. The map is color-coded to indicate varying levels of traffic and difficulty for bicycle routes. . . .

While progress is often slower than members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission would like, city officials are involving the group more than ever, Kullman said. One example is the group’s involvement in an effort to develop new street standards more accommodating to bicyclists.

Petrocik applauds the street-standards effort but sees the need for more immediate improvements. He’s biked in other parts of the country, such as Los Angeles, Portland, Ore., and Denver, and says those areas have committed more resources to bicycle safety.

Columbia’s effort to slow traffic by creating narrow, winding roads is dangerous for cyclists, he said.

Columbia spends more per person on bicycle and pedestrian facilities and safety than any other metro area in Missouri, according to a study by the Surface Transportation Policy Project in Washington, D.C. However, Walkenbach said better maintenance of bike lanes and shoulders is a top concern.