Over the next two weeks, in a series called #GOVote, we will explore the many reasons BikeWalkKC endorses KCMO Questions 1, 2, 3 on the April 4th ballot. Follow along as we detail the myriad benefits these measures bring to walking and biking in KCMO.
The $450m portion of Question 1 will benefit bike lanes in two very real ways:
- Many of the streets on the project list are already on the bike plan which means they will get world class bike facilities as they get rebuilt.
- Shifting the burden of major street reconstruction off of the street preservation and capital budgets will allow the city to spend more money on simple street repaving.
Here is why this is important:
Under current city policy, when KCMO repaves or reconstructs streets on the adopted bike plan, bike facilities are added. A simple resurfacing project might add conventional bike lanes or even buffered bike lanes. Complete reconstruction is an opportunity for complete redesign of the street and will sometimes add physically protected bike lanes.
Unfortunately, because there has been no dedicated funding for bike lanes routine street resurfacing and reconstruction is the primary mechanism for bike plan implementation. But KCMO’s budget for street preservation and improvement is anemic – the City only repaves a fraction of the 4,000 miles of streets per year.
At current pace, a complete build out of the bikeway network will take decades.
GO Bond Question 1 changes this. So please, vote yes on April 4th.
Take a look at the project list below. We’ve highlighted the streets that are anticipated to include significant bike projects. Nearly all would include pedestrian improvements. Keep in mind that an update to the City’s bicycle master plan is currently underway and could change what streets are slated for bikeways.
KCMO_Legislation_160951 (dragged)
Now it is time for you to do your part and vote “YES” for Questions 1, 2, 3 on April 4th.
Visit http://bikewalkkc.org/vote123 to learn more about the April 4th election and the details about how it will improve walking and biking.
Next up in the #GOVote series: A YES Vote on Questions 1, 2, 3 is a Vote for Accessibility.
Get Involved and Learn More
Join us as a supporter of the Healthy, Sustainable Neighborhoods Coalition
Sidewalks Town Hall with BikeWalkKC on March 23rd
Volunteer for voter postcard writing on March 27th
Neighborhood Meetings
Visit http://bikewalkkc.org/vote123 to find an upcoming local meeting in your own neighborhood.
We need your support to keep fighting for better walking and biking
BikeWalkKC’s advocacy work relies on the support of our members and individual donors. Please make a donation today. Investing in BikeWalkKC will help us get voters to the polls on April 4th to support investing in a better quality of life for all of Kansas City.