Bike Plan
BIKE FORT WAYNE is a project that emerged from Plan-it Allen: the Allen County / Fort Wayne Comprehensive Plan. The transportation goal calls for safe and efficient system that “accommodates a range of transportation choices” including bicycles. Soon after he took office, Mayor Tom Henry assigned the planning department to work with city and regional transportation engineers on a plan that will make Fort Wayne roadways friendlier for cyclists. The plan that is emerging will be organized into three main topic areas; designing and building a bikeway network; encouraging and educating riders; establishing and enforcing rules of the road.
Throughout the process, bicyclists and other stakeholders have provided valuable guidance to the planning team. One of the first things the team did was create a survey that was distributed with water bills and posted on line. Between the two surveys, the community generated over 4,000 responses; a clear statement of support for expanding safe cycling opportunities in the city. Because the survey had an online component, we were able to establish a network of people interested in receiving bike planning updates via email. This has turned into a valuable way to receive additional input during the planning process as we respond to questions and absorb comments about biking in Fort Wayne. In March, 2009, Mayor Henry hosted the first Fort Wayne Bike Summit. The crowd of participants exceeded our expectations and some had to be turned away so that we didn't exceed the safe capacity of the Allen County Public Library meeting rooms. At the bike summit, participants were asked where they currently like to ride and where they would ride if they could get there safely. This information helped planners identify specific destinations that are likely to generate the greatest number of bike trips. After the wild success of the Bike Summit, and recognizing the advantage of an engaged group of bike enthusiasts, Mayor Henry established the Bike Fort Wayne Task Force and charged them with advising the planning team throughout the remaining planning process. The Task Force is comprised of nearly forty individuals representing many of the community interests associated with bicycling as a form of transportation.
In addition to engaging the local community, the planning team explored the efforts of other communities, looking for good examples that can work here in Fort Wayne. Conversations with planners and engineers in these communities provided insight on what types of facilities make the most sense, how to help change rider and driver habits in the roadway, and even what mistakes to avoid when putting a plan together. The plan also reflects federal and state design guidelines for bikeway facilities. Since each street is a little different and requires careful consideration for how cyclists and motorists can safely share the road, resources such as the Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities published by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (ASSHTO) are quite valuable.
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