Gladstone includes bicycle facilities in several new projects

Bicycle lane, similar to those proposed for Gladstone

The City of Gladstone is including new bicycle lanes and sidewalks on several upcoming road projects, according to an article in the Sun Tribune.

I spoke with Interim Public Works Director Tim Nebergall, who indicated the plans are for five-foot bicycle lanes on the segments of Broadway, Old Pike and 76th Street.

The overall plan is to tie in with the on-street bicycle and trails plans of Kansas City, Missouri (which surrounds Gladston) and with the MetroGreen plan, which KCMO is also working on.

Gladstone is also start to put together a trail network that will connect with other planned trails in Kansas City's northland area.  For instance, a 10-foot multi-use path trail along M-1/Antioch will tie into the Metrogreen system.  Another trail trail along Shoal Creek will connect area parks and Maplewood Community College.

Overall, about $2 million dollars worth of trails will be going in over the next couple of years. The city looked at needs for bicycling, sidewalks, and trails in some detail in its most recent Comprehensive Plan.

The city is putting one little piece after another together as the opportunity arises. "It's just taking baby steps for now," said Nebergall. "But give us five or ten years and it will be great."

Gladstone is a great example of a city that has developed a plan, worked with adjoining cities and agencies, and is now working to include bicycle and pedestrian facilities as a routine part of its city planning and projects. 

Working to encourage cities to incorporate bicycling and walking routinely into planning and projects is a strong emphasis of MoBikeFed's Vision of Bicycling and Walking for Missouri.