Last night I attending a meeting of the Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee (which advises the Bexar Metropolitan Planning Organization). There was a full agenda of cycling related topics that were discussed. I found the meeting to be incredibly informative.

This was the first time for me to attend a public meeting like this so it was also quite a learning experience. Over 48 cyclists biked to the meeting and the total audience exceeded 70 – an impressive turnout.

Here are a few highlights:

• I signed up to speak during the “Citizens To Be Heard” segment at the beginning of the meeting and asked the City of San Antonio/Bexar County to consider designating a street sweeper for frequent cleaning of bicycle lanes. I frequently call 311 to request sweeping but have found that in just a few days there is fresh glass and debris in the bike lane.

• A citizen inquired about a concept being considered to build a bicycle highway that would be in a cross configuration over San Antonio with a major path running in all directions. This is still being researched.

• A citizen complained that some of the bike racks on VIA buses are in need of maintenance. Her bike nearly fell off a bus recently and her family is completely reliant on bikes and public transportation (they made a commitment a few years ago to give up autos and the reliance on foreign oil, etc).

• A citizen living in Sonoma Ranch commutes to/from USAA and uses Prue & Hausman Roads. Neither are bicycle friendly. Despite a major business area (with a theater, restaurants, etc.) being less than a 1.5 mile from his neighborhood, his kids and other neighborhood kids have no safe way to ride their bikes to this location. He wanted the city/county to investigate using a nearby greenbelt to connect the neighborhood to this business area and said funding could come – in part – from local businesses that would see an increase in customers due to increased access.

• The Leon Creek Greenway (pdf) is planned to end when it reaches Interstate 410. A citizen proposed continuing the greenway by connecting it to several city parks inside 410.

• The Witte Museum is undergoing a major expansion. A new parking garage for the museum will provide bicycle parking and a SAPD bike patrol substation. Witte Museum is supporting the connection of the Witte – via bike trail/lane – to Mission Espada. The Witte is also planning to offer bicycle rentals similar to a format currently being offered in Washington DC (smartbikedc.com).

Please let me know if you have any questions and please consider attending a future meeting so your voice and your presence can be accounted for!