BUILD THE SHOREWOOD MICROMOBILITY NETWORK
More Mobility | More
Safety |
More Prosperity
Better Air |
Better Water | Fewer Cars
At this year's National Bike Summit in D.C., one of the things that several speakers and urban planners emphasized was the importance of advocating not just for some new bike lanes here and there, but instead advocating for a comprehensive mircromobility network in your community. It is only when a community designs and builds such a network, that residents will opt to drive less, and instead opt to use other "micromobility" means (bikes, ebikes, scooters, escooters, etc.) or to rely on walking and public transit, more.
Back in 2015, Shorewood took a good step towards that approach, at least from a design standpoint, when the Village drafted and approved the Village of Shorewood Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.
But a lot has happened since 2015 in the area of micromobility (and gas prices), so it is now time to ask "How are we doing in Shorewood when it comes to building our network?" Do we now, seven years later, have a network of "bike" lanes in Shorewood (including some protected bike lanes), and greenways (with "bike boulevard" features) such that Shorewood is a little less car-centric and car-dependent?
We've made some progress, but we're not there yet.
The Master Plan correctly identified Lake Drive as a street in Shorewood that is used (and crossed) by lots of pedestrians, and lots of bike riders. Since 2015, the Village (with the cooperation of the State), reconfigured Lake Drive lane markings, and by doing such put Lake Drive on a "road diet" (reduing the number of travel lanes there from four travel lanes, to two travel lanes, plus two "parking" lanes). The Village also installed a "fog line" (helping to create a more defined space for bike riders), and added better-marked pedestrian crosswalks.
The "next phase" for Lake Drive is now being designed. All of Lake Drive in Shorewood will be re-built in 2026. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will hold a Public Information Meeting ("PIM"), next Tuesday, June 21st, on the current status of the new proposed design. The public can attend a virtual session (from 4-5 pm), or an in-person meeting at Village hall (from 5-7 pm). Details regarding the PIM are at this online invitation.
My understanding is that as part of the new design, the DOT will be proposing a new northbound bike lane, and a new southbound bike lane, along with improvements in pedestrian safety (installing "bump outs" at certain key intersections. The DOT will also be proposing that one lane of parking (the lane on the westside of the Drive) will for the most part be eliminated. (This is what I've heard; to get full and accurate details as to the new proposal, I encourage you to attend one of the Tuesday night sessions.)
There has been controversy over the DOT's prior proposals, so I hope (if like me, you have an interest in bike and pedestrian safety) you will attend. I'll be attending the in-person session, and I hope you will consider doing likewise.
As with many proposals involving "bike" lanes or "road diets," some people will oppose them because they are opposed to bikes generally, and some people will oppose them because they believe free parking is more important than bike and pedestrian safety (and the encouragment of biking and walking), through good road design. That's not to say those are the only considerations that may cause some to oppose the new design. Some have told me they they oppose the elemination of some parking spaces on Lake Drive (free or metered), because they think certain disadvantaged populations as a matter of equity should be provided free parking, so there is easy, low-cost, and convenient access to Atwater Park and Atwater Beach. And I have heard that some oppose the elemination of parking spaces because they want private service providers (such as landscaping companies, or snow removal companies), to have easy, free parking on one side or the other of Lake Drive.
I don't pretend that the parking issue is a simple issue, or doesn't involve the consideration of competing values. But as to the parking issue, I recommend Donald Shoup's book The High Cost of Free Parking. (If you don't have time to read the book, check out the YouTube videos on the topic.) Professor's Shoup's book will likely change the way you think about parking, especially free parking. Overall, free parking--and outdated zoning laws requiring too many parking spaces per apartment, or per square foot of commercial space--has done a lot to encourage car-centric lifestyles in the United States, and in the Milwaukee area.
I encourage you to attend next today's meeting, and (hopefully) be a voice there in favor of pedestrian bump outs, in favor of dedicated bike lanes, and (at a minimum) a countervaling voice to the voices that dislike bikes and bike infrastructure, and favor car-centric street design in Shorewood.
Alexander "Sandie" Pendleton
President and Co-Peloton Leader
Greater Shorewood Bikers, Inc.
