San Antonio Standard

SAN ANTONIO – The City of San Antonio announces the beginning of its Bike Network Plan (BNP), an initiative to improve bicycle infrastructure, promote safer biking conditions, and support a more connected San Antonio. 

“With a commitment to sustainability, health, and equitable transportation options, San Antonio is on its way to making bike riding a viable, safe mode of travel for residents and visitors alike,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg.

The City will collaborate with a wide variety of San Antonio stakeholders and community members over the course of its two-year planning process. The BNP represents a significant milestone in San Antonio's ongoing efforts to enhance multimodal transportation network through innovative design concepts, expanding and improving bike spaces, and promoting bike education. It also represents an opportunity to evaluate the equitable deployment of transportation infrastructure and ensure that San Antonians in every neighborhood, of every age and ability can access all our city has to offer by bike or a similar mobility device. 

“San Antonio's Bike Network Plan is an example of our commitment to sustainable and forward-thinking urban development,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. “By embracing bikes in our transportation system, the City can improve air quality and roadway safety, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance the overall quality of life for its residents.”

Key elements that will shape the future of riding a bike in San Antonio:

•    Enhanced Bike Connectivity: The plan will develop and expand the City's existing bike network, creating safer routes for bike users and connect neighborhoods, business districts, schools, and recreational areas via on-street infrastructure and the existing Howard Peak Greenway Trail network. 

•    Best-Practice Design Concepts: By incorporating best-practice bike infrastructure designs (such as safe intersections, protected bike lanes, cycle tracks, and neighborhood greenways), San Antonio will create safe and connected bike spaces that prioritize the safety and comfort for bike users of all ages and abilities.

•    Bike Share Expansion: The Bike Plan will support the growth of bike-sharing programs, making it easier than ever for residents and visitors to access bicycles for commuting, recreation, and short trips.

•    Education and Outreach: A comprehensive public outreach campaign is already under way! The BNP team is asking San Antonians across the city to weigh in on their feelings and comfort level around biking right now and their suggestions for improving riding a bike in our city. Workshops, community events, and partnerships with local organizations are being established to foster a culture of bike awareness and etiquette.

•    Health, Equity, and Access: The BNP will undertake the first transportation-focused Health Impact Assessment in the San Antonio region to evaluate the potential impact of transportation investments on health equity, economic, political, social, psychological, and environmental factors in the City.

San Antonio residents and visitors are encouraged to complete a brief survey to better understand current bike issues and what potential solutions you would like to see. Complete the online survey by visiting this website.

For more information about San Antonio's Bike Network Plan and its implementation, visit SABikeNetwork.com.

Original source can be found here.