RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The city of Richmond wants to add bike lanes and is asking residents for their input on where to put them.
A survey will be posted online for people to share feedback on the corridors identified by the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW) as potential options “for enhanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure,” a release from DPW said.
The ones under consideration are:
- Admiral Street/School Street – from Lombardy Street to Chamberlayne Ave
- German School Road – from Glenway Drive to Midlothian Turnpike
- North 25th Street – from Main Street to Marshall Street
- North Sheppard Street – from Broad Street to Clay Street
- Norfolk Street – from Arthur Ashe Boulevard to Belleville Street
- West Marshall Street – from Arthur Ashe Boulevard to Roseneath Road
- West Moore Street – from Arthur Ashe Boulevard to Belleville Street
- Warwick Road – from Hull Street Road to Brookline Street
The online survey will be open from June 12 through June 26. DPW said in its release that feedback will help refine the potential projects before the city takes steps in the design process.
DPW said the addition of new bike lanes in the city is part of Richmond’s larger paving and resurfacing program that is expected to run from this summer through spring 2023, according to the release. The department said it believes the projects will bolster the city’s transportation infrastructure and improve roadway safety.
“The projects are an important part of the City’s commitment to Vision Zero and support the Better Streets multimodal approach by implementing safety improvements such as high-visibility crosswalks for people who walk, accessible curb ramps for people who roll, and dedicated space for people who bike or scoot,” DPW wrote in the release.
A DPW spokesperson told 8News that the city will repave all eight of the streets that are under consideration and will move forward “with developing a striping configuration for the preferred option.” Those interested in taking part in the survey but don’t have internet access can get a printed copy of the materials. However, DPW says they would have to email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov or Jakob.Helmboldt@rva.gov.”
DPW has moved forward with its plan to add bicycle infrastructure on the city’s North Side and South Side along Route 161, including at 49th Street, Westover Hills Boulevard, Park Drive and Blanton Avenue.
Bicycle symbols on the city streets are not bike lanes but are “shared lane markings, or sharrows” where there is not enough space for a bike lane, according to the city.
People can take a look at the bike projects in the pipeline and ready for construction in the city and the “Richmond Regional Bikeways Map” online. The city has also posted its master plan for bicycles from 2014.
UPDATE: A DPW spokesperson sent 8News an email after publication that reads, in part:
“The City is repaving all eight of the streets under consideration. Based on the feedback received from the public we will proceed with developing a striping configuration for the preferred option. As we have done in past instances where the public prefers keeping the existing configuration, DPW will restripe the street as it was prior to repaving. The online survey and content is configured for mobile devices as well, however in instances where someone is unable to view the content in a digital format we will make printed copies of the materials available. If assistance is needed for alternative means to review and comment, residents can email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov or Jakob.Helmboldt@rva.gov.”
