Jefferson City is taking steps to become a more bicycle-friendly community.
The Jefferson City Environmental Quality Commission brought back its bicycle subcommittee last week with the goal of being designated a "bicycle-friendly community."
A small group of city staff and health advocates is applying for a national BFC designation through the League of American Bicyclists, an organization that promotes "stronger" bicycle-friendly communities. Creating a bicycle advisory committee was one feature suggested in the designation application.
States have experienced a 46 percent increase, on average, of people commuting by bicycle, according to LAB. In Missouri, there has been a 70-100 percent increase.
We question whether that's held true for Jefferson City, where challenging hills would require significant pedal power, resulting in employees arriving to work dripping in sweat.
Cycling in general here, however, has been on the rise as our city already has become more bicycle-friendly in recent years from the development of the Katy Trail, the pedestrian/bike bridge across the Missouri River and the growing inter-connectivity of the city's greenway system.
Those additions are all well and fine with many local residents, but one element of earning the bicycle-friendly designation could be adding more bike lanes in the city. Those are fighting words to some local motorists, who are accustomed to having free rein of the roads around here.
In Europe, cycling is seen as more of a mode of transportation. Here in the U.S., it's still seen mainly as a recreational activity. And Missouri isn't one of the more cyclist-friendly states: Missouri is ranked No. 34, according to LAB.
We encourage city officials to proceed slowly, and listen to input from motorists as well as cyclists.
Whatever action is taken, one thing will make the road of the future smoother for cyclists and motorists: respect.
We urge motorists and cyclists to obey traffic laws and foster a mutual respect for one another, which will go a long way toward creating a safe atmosphere for everyone.