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Bike lane added to 16th Avenue project
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MONROE - Painting those little white lines on streets costs money.

"But so does not being bicycle friendly, said David Riese, chairman of Monroe Main Street's board of directors.

The board voted unanimously to recommend a plan for striping a designated bicycle route south on 16th Avenue, to guide tourists from the Badger State Trail to downtown Monroe.

Ryan Wilson, a member of the Main Street Design Committee, presented the committee's bicycle-friendly idea of striping a bike path on the west side of 16th Avenue, while retaining parking on both sides of the road.

The city is beginning reconstruction of the street this week, replacing water and sewer lines as well as the road base and pavement. The plan for the 33-foot wide street allows for 7 to 8 feet of parking on each side of the road and 11 to 13 feet of road for one-way traffic. Sixteenth Avenue is already designated as a one-way street.

The remaining 4 to 5 feet is "more than enough" for a bike path, Wilson said.

The plan includes marking out the bicycle path south on 14th Avenue from Twining Park and east on 6th Street. Parking on the south side of 6th Street would have to be restricted to accommodate the path. However, there seems to be very little parking on that street now, Wilson said.

The board also approved the Design Committee's request for up to $3,000 from Tax Increment Fund No. 7 for a cement pad and installation of bike racks at the library, as well as bicycle signs.

Bicycle racks, purchased by the design committee with extra funds from the Monroe Woman's Club, will be located at the library and parking ramp. Each rack is capable of holding seven bicycles.