MONROE - A desire by Monroe Main Street to amend current bicycle routes and add new ones ran into a roadblock Monday night.
The City of Monroe Public Safety Committee postponed making a recommendation on amended and new routes until its next meeting Oct. 6 after aldermen raised concerns.
Main Street's proposal includes new routes from the Badger State Trail at Twining Park to the Square using 16th Avenue and return routes via 17th Avenue and 10th Street.
The proposal is an attempt to make downtown more bicycle friendly, Main Street Executive Director Barb Nelson said.
Committee members' concerns centered around bike routes being located on the left side of parked cars; vehicles turning right in front of bike lanes; and 10th Street changing from one-way to two-way traffic at 13th Avenue.
Some aldermen also questioned the safety of bicyclists riding along parked vehicles where drivers might open doors in their path.
Because of the concerns, Committee Chairman Chuck Koch asked for the issue to be postponed until the next meeting. At that time, Main Street Design Committee member Ryan Wilson could address the concerns.
The bike paths came up just as 16th Avenue is being completed. Street Supervisor Tom Boll said he is ready to open the one-way street, but could postpone painting it.
City Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber said 16th Avenue had its second layer of pavement laid down, and contractors will start pouring sidewalks Tuesday. The sidewalks should be ready for use by Cheese Days, but landscaping will have to wait until after the weekend.
The City of Monroe Public Safety Committee postponed making a recommendation on amended and new routes until its next meeting Oct. 6 after aldermen raised concerns.
Main Street's proposal includes new routes from the Badger State Trail at Twining Park to the Square using 16th Avenue and return routes via 17th Avenue and 10th Street.
The proposal is an attempt to make downtown more bicycle friendly, Main Street Executive Director Barb Nelson said.
Committee members' concerns centered around bike routes being located on the left side of parked cars; vehicles turning right in front of bike lanes; and 10th Street changing from one-way to two-way traffic at 13th Avenue.
Some aldermen also questioned the safety of bicyclists riding along parked vehicles where drivers might open doors in their path.
Because of the concerns, Committee Chairman Chuck Koch asked for the issue to be postponed until the next meeting. At that time, Main Street Design Committee member Ryan Wilson could address the concerns.
The bike paths came up just as 16th Avenue is being completed. Street Supervisor Tom Boll said he is ready to open the one-way street, but could postpone painting it.
City Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber said 16th Avenue had its second layer of pavement laid down, and contractors will start pouring sidewalks Tuesday. The sidewalks should be ready for use by Cheese Days, but landscaping will have to wait until after the weekend.