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Bicyclists Lobby Camden for Safer Roads County Officials Say Grants, Developers Could Offset Bike Lanes' Cost.

Posted on: Monday, 13 June 2005, 12:00 CDT

KINGSLAND -- Many bicycle enthusiasts in Camden County say there are a limited number of roads where they can ride their bikes without fear of being run off the road by a car or truck.

"The No. 1 question I get is where to ride a bike safely," said Terry Landreth, owner of the Turn 2 Bicycle Center in Kingsland. "There are certain areas in the county that are very friendly to bike riders."

But outside downtown St. Marys and Woodbine, options are limited for bicyclists to ride safely, Landreth said.

But bike riders in Camden County may have more options in the future.

Representatives with the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center met with county residents Tuesday to discuss roads that could be improved in upcoming years to safely accommodate motorists, bike riders and pedestrians.

Paul Smith, planning director for the RDC, said bike and walking trails could be built on abandoned railway lines in the county.

"The purpose of the meeting is to get more specific," Smith said. "We need to prioritize where to do the work. This is the menu on how to spend future Department of Transportation dollars."

Although major thoroughfares such as U.S. 17 and Georgia 40 were identified as potential routes, people who attended the meeting said some of the less traveled roads -- such as Gross Road in Kingsland and Harrietts Bluff Road in the county -- could be candidates for improvements.

It's not just the major highways that could get bike lanes in the future, however. Smith suggested that local governments could pass ordinances that would require developers to include bike lanes and sidewalks in their plans.

Developers could also build bike paths from subdivisions leading to local schools, parks and other recreation areas, he said.

Local governments will be asked to pass resolutions this year that will identify the roads that should be improved, he said. Funding will be available through federal grants, possibly with matching funds from local municipalities.

"It appears we are going to have funding next year," Smith said. "We can work on implementing this plan."

The improvements will accomplish more than making the roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, Smith said.

More roads with safe bike lanes would help boost economic development, improve mobility for the poor and improve the health of residents using the lanes.

The plan may also include bicycle safety programs offered to the public, Smith said.

"We just want to have a safe place to have an active lifestyle," Landreth said. "I'd love to see some of these things come about. It's a wonderful idea."

gordon.jackson@jacksonville.com, (912) 729-3672

Source: Florida Times Union

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