Greater Lafayette paving the way for bicycle enthusiasts
3/22/15, 10:49 PM
Greater Lafayette paving the way for bicycle enthusiasts
John F. Kennedy said, "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride." Most of
us can relate to that simple sentiment, can't we? Childhood memories of racing up and
down the street on our bikes, heading downtown for a soda and home again. It was a
quick way to get from one place to another. And, it was fun. Plain and simple.
Today's cyclists ride for different reasons, and their bikes are as diverse as they are. In
Lafayette and West Lafayette cycling is alive and well. Some still ride just for fun, others
to improve cardiovascular health or for competition, and others ride their bikes as their
primary mode of transportation, a practice that's been around for years in major cities
such as New York and Chicago. "Cycling is unique, and it incorporates various
categories," states Dan Eversman, self-proclaimed cycling fanatic and long-time
manager of Hodson's Bay Company on the Levee in West Lafayette. "It's not like golf
where you play it at one place, a golf course or baseball, played primarily on a baseball
diamond." He categorizes cyclists this way:· children who ride in their neighborhoods for
fun; · enthusiasts, who include competitive riders who participate in formal races or
those who go on long cycling trips or benefit rides;· mountain bikers, many of whom
travel to Brown County or out of state to ride;· recreational riders who enjoy leisure rides
on bike paths; and,· commuter riders who use their bikes to get around more often than
they drive their car, if they even own one. Eversman says he falls into each of those
categories, depending on his mood and riding companions. When he is with his family of
six they may enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the bike trails, and when he is with his
buddies, he's out on a longer ride building up speed. In working with Hodson's Bay
customers of all types, selling and servicing their varying bicycle needs, he's noticed
some changes in recent years in the local bike culture.
"Overall, there is an increase in cycling activity, especially recreationally," he says. He
attributes that to the evolving trail system throughout both cities.
Follow the trail
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Greater Lafayette paving the way for bicycle enthusiasts
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West Lafayette began developing paved, shared-use trails in the early 1990s. The city's
trails system now has 27 miles of paved trails that connect with more than 10 miles of
marked bicycle lanes. The Cattail, Northwest Greenway and Wabash Heritage trails have
been designated National Recreation Trails by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The
trails system is managed by West Lafayette Parks and Recreation for year-round
recreation and transportation use. Trailhead signs and information kiosks in several
locations help provide information for trail users. In addition, the department also
manages more than five miles of footpaths.
Lafayette's Trail Master Plan was adopted in December 2012. Lafayette Parks and
Recreation maintains more than six miles of paved (and many more unpaved) trails
within the city. Trails are open to everyone and can be used for not only biking, but
walking, running, rollerblading and cross-country skiing. Trails are located at
Armstrong, Munger, Murdock and Columbian parks and the east side of the Heritage
Trail.
For mountain biking enthusiasts there are four trails in West Lafayette and Lafayette,
ranging from easy to advanced. "A growing segment of cyclists are the 55 and older who
enjoy mountain biking," Eversman explains. "Many of the trails have been created or
funded by retired folks who own property and want to share it."
The 7-mile Haan Trail, is one such private property that is open to the public. Bob Haan
created the trail so he and his wife, Ellie, could learn mountain biking techniques needed
for when they ride trails around the country. The trail is built in two sections on Valley
Street and State Street, Lafayette. This trail is for intermediate and advanced riders and
requires a signed waiver.
Cyclists agree the trails system has provided opportunities for fun and recreation, but
there is a growing need to address bicycle travel throughout the cities' streets. There has
been progress, and the movement to continually improve is gaining uphill momentum
among city government, thanks to the consistent nudging by advocacy groups in
Lafayette and West Lafayette.
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Greater Lafayette paving the way for bicycle enthusiasts
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The Wabash River Cycle Club organizes rides and gets together for social
time. (Photo: By Brent Russell)
Working for safer roads for all
Margy Deverall, a planner with the Lafayette Economic Development Department,
acknowledges wholeheartedly that city planners and developers must improve the
infrastructure for all modes of transportation.
A lifelong cyclist, Deverall says she'll ride in traffic, but many won't. "It depends on one's
comfort level. A beginner or intermediate rider is only comfortable on the trails or in
quiet neighborhoods," she says. "We need to plan for someone who is 8 and someone
who is 80. It's not impossible, but it does need to be a priority."
In September 2014 a Bicycle Pedestrian Master Planning process began in Lafayette,
signifying a major step toward addressing transportation concerns for citizens, including
the high cost of owning and maintaining a car, and a growing need to exercise for
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Greater Lafayette paving the way for bicycle enthusiasts
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physical and mental health. The goals of the plan are ambitious, and among them
include: increase the number of people walking and biking for everyday transportation
purposes such as commuting to work, to school and to run errands; enhance community
connections to neighborhoods, parks, schools, businesses, retail and dining and
government facilities; provide community awareness of motorists and cyclists sharing
the road through public education; and increase the quality of life in the city in an effort
to retain current citizens and attract new ones.
The bike pedestrian plan will complement the comprehensive Trails Master Plan, which
identified 33 corridors for development, including a major loop trail around the city, a
major north-south corridor, and a major east-west corridor. In all, these corridors
measured approximately 64 miles of potential multi-use trail in Lafayette. Currently
several of these corridors are under development.
"That plan did not thoroughly address on-road bicycle facilities, adequate pedestrian
facilities and programs and policies to support the improved infrastructure," notes
Deverall. "The bike pedestrian plan would help to improve connections to the previously
completed trail master plan and encourage healthy transportation choices."
"The plan will identify things such as routes, standards, signage and required physical
improvements," adds Jenny Miller Leshney, Lafayette's city engineer. "Some of these
improvements will be low-cost and can be implemented immediately, while others will
require planning and funding over time."
The planning process began with seeking community input via a survey, which was
completed in December. "A citizen advisory committee of 15 people from all walks of life
was created during the process. We want that group to stay engaged," Deverall adds.
"This plan is a priority," states Miller Leshney. "More and more of the population is
cycling for transportation, recreation and fitness. By planning for bicycle facilities and
routes, we create the opportunity for cyclists and motorists to coexist safely." A draft of
the plan is slated to be ready for presentation at a public meeting on February 26.
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West Lafayette is ahead of the curve in its planning for all forms of transportation,
thanks in part, to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, which was originally created by
Jan Mills in 2003 when she was on the city council. "West Lafayette was a pioneer
during that time," says Curt Ashendel, committee chair since 2004 after Mills became
mayor and could no longer chair it. "Officials recognized the need to focus on all modes
of transportation." The group receives no funding and has no authority, just sponsorship
by the city. Early programs included awareness-building events in the community for
motorists and on the Purdue University campus for bicyclists and also safety training for
new students during fall orientation.
"We work with elected officials, the mayor and city council and city government staff.
Our focus is on West Lafayette and Purdue," Ashendel says. "We stay informed and add
input regarding facilities, policies and try to make it all work for cyclists, pedestrians and
motorists. We nudge and encourage things to happen sooner or faster."
Ashendel notes the community's culture has historically been auto-centric, and it's
continuing to change. "It's helpful to have a college in our community," he says. "There
is high demand for parking and there's a lot of congestion, which promotes other forms
of transportation, like riding a bike."
Dave Buck, West Lafayette city engineer, says the committee has indeed been a strong
supporter of construction projects, namely projects that include improvements to make
streets more friendly and useable for all. "They also understand that both street right-ofways and funding are limited, which ultimately requires our designs to be the best
compromise we can engineer to maximize the improvements for all stakeholders as a
whole," he says.
He cites two examples of projects where the committee was instrumental in the
discussion and design planning. One is on Salisbury Street, which has been
reconstructed over the past eight years in a manner Buck refers to as a "road diet."
Existing travel lanes for vehicles were narrowed in order to allow enough room for
proper bike lanes and wider sidewalks. The smaller lanes also typically cause slower
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vehicle speeds.
The other project is on Cumberland Ave where there wasn't enough right of way for
constructing travel lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes and trails. "A solution was needed to
balance the needs of all without requiring the need to purchase additional right-of-way,"
Buck explains. "There were also numerous utilities along and throughout the corridor.
In the end the committee recommended a compromise of forgoing bike lanes and
ensuring a 10-foot multi-use trail could be incorporated into the design." This option
provided an opportunity for cyclists who are confident to ride in the vehicle travel lane
to do so, while providing a safer option -- the trail -- for the novice or recreational rider.
"This was especially important," Buck adds, "with the introduction of roundabouts into
the corridor."
Improving road safety for all is easier since 2012 when West Lafayette, Lafayette, the
towns of Battle Ground, Dayton and Clarks Hil,l and Tippecanoe County adopted a
"complete streets" policy through a partnership with the Tippecanoe County Area Plan
Commission for projects using federal funding. Adopted as part of the county's longrange transportation plan, the plan also set aside federal funding for non-motorized
projects, the first in the state. The greatest benefit of a complete streets policy is that
before changes are made to an existing road or before a new road is built, the needs of all
modes of transportation are considered.
"We have been practicing the complete streets approach for many years when designing
and building our streets and road projects," Buck says. "Nearly every project we've done
over the past 10 years is considered complete streets. In an urban setting, complete
streets policies and procedures are an absolute must to create a livable and vibrant
community, truly connected by its infrastructure."
Lafayette city officials hope a complete streets policy on the local level is approved and
adopted when or soon after the bike and pedestrian plan is adopted in May. "We want
and need this policy. A huge part involves community participation. The Bike and
Pedestrian Plan is a vehicle for the community to have input," Deverall says.
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Bikes of a different color
Deverall notes the biking culture in Lafayette has changed drastically in the past five
years. She attributes that to the opening of Virtuous Cycles, a fully comprehensive bike
shop, but with a soft spot for the needs of commuter cyclists. The shop first opened six
years ago on Main Street and moved last year to a larger location at 215 N. 10th Street.
"The younger generation is more interested in the urban setting and in saving the
environment by biking more, walking and/or using public transportation," she says.
"Virtuous fits a niche."
Owner Zoe Neal says they do what they can to make all forms of cycling more accessible
by selling new and used mountain bikes, road bikes and commuter bikes called cargo
bikes, which are new to the area. "The commuter bikes have extended wheel bases and
can accommodate passengers. Cargo bikes can literally replace a car. You can cart a child
or groceries on the cargo bikes," he says. Neal rides one with daughter in tow.
Another style of bike familiar in big cities, but new to Lafayette, is the electronic, or ebike. Adam Hanabarger opened Uphill Bikes on the corner of Main and 6th streets in
March 2014 and since then he's sold 17 e-bikes. He's been riding one for three years.
His first customers were older men who like to buy the latest toy. But they realized the ebike was much more resourceful than they thought. "You'll see them out in the spring
with their children and grandchildren," says Hanabarger. "People now are more savvy,
they are doing their research."
Hanabarger says with an e-bike you can use human or motor power or a combination of
both. "I ride uphill, and it's a thrill. I can go 35 miles per hour and keep up with cars,"
Hanabarger says.
"The e-bike market is expected to double," he notes. "Many of the baby boomers have
gotten off their bikes because maybe they had a fall or have some other health issue that
forced them to stop riding. But they realize the economic benefits and the health benefits
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of riding a bike and getting back to what they love."
E-bikes are battery powered and take a wall charger, much like your laptop does, to
recharge. It takes 2 to 8 hours to recharge, and a fully charged e-bike can go 50 miles, "
he says. "Avid cyclists in urban areas are going to the e-bike. Avid cyclists here aren't
turning to e-bikes, yet."
Ride, advocate, socialize
Birds of a feather flock together. That old saying holds true for
many avid cyclists. Local bike clubs organize group rides, are a
vehicle to affect changes or to help educate, or get together to
enjoy social time. In our area there are two main clubs: the
Wabash River Cycle Club (WRCC), established in 1978, and
Bicycle Lafayette, organized in 2012.
Adam Hanabarger owns of
Uphill Bikes, located at the
corner of 10th and Main
streets in downtown
Lafayette. (Photo: By Tom
Baugues)
Howard Grabois, president of the WRCC, observes the club has
grown in recent years. "Fifteen years ago the club was nearly
extinct. We had 200 members in 2011, and now we're up to
250," he says. "Mostly the club is about recreational cycling."
There are 20 to 25 members who organize and lead rides. They
choose the route and the pace, mostly during the peak season, June through September.
Rides range from 25 to 100 miles. Rides are advertised on the club's website. He notes
the club still meets in the winter, and hardcore riders participate in a New Year's Day
ride. "New members typically choose easier rides until they feel comfortable, and then
they move on to faster, longer, harder rides," says Grabois. New members are always
welcome. Fees are $15 for students, $20 for individuals and $25 for a family.
Once a year the club sponsors the Wabash River Ride to support Food Finders. "Last
year we raised almost $800," Grabois says.
Bicycle Lafayette's mission is to promote cycling as a safe, viable and healthy form of
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transportation and recreation in Lafayette and West Lafayette. Members describe their
group as focused more on advocacy, safety and education than as a club that organizes
long rides. "If we organize rides they are going to be much shorter and more family
oriented," says member Rose Kaczmarowski, who grew up in bike-centric Wisconsin.
Virtuous Cycles opened six years ago on Main Street. It moved to a larger
location on North 10th Street last year. (Photo: By Ed Lausch)
She and others lobby for cyclists' rights and to encourage bike-friendly policies and
procedures. "We represent citizen cyclists at public forums and city council meetings,"
adds fellow member Joe Kasper. "And we attend as many local festivals and gatherings
as we can to promote cycling, especially as a mode of transportation."
Club members boast their involvement in several community initiatives: the passing of
the three-foot passing ordinance in both cities; sharrows (a shared-lane marking placed
in the center of a travel lane to indicate that a cyclist may use the full lane) installed on
the Harrison Bridge, westbound; registering bikes with the Lafayette Police Department
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at the farmers market; and introducing bike rodeos to the area.
As part of its educational arm, Bicycle Lafayette organizes bike rodeos with area schools.
"A bike rodeo is a skills event that gives kids the opportunity to practice and develop
skills to help them become better and safer cyclists," says Kaczmarowski. "The goal is for
kids to have fun to learn, practice and demonstrate their bicycle handling skills in a
noncompetitive atmosphere."
"Another active project we are working on is building the Ride Lafayette route map for
newcomers, novices and commuters," Kasper adds. Bicycle Lafayette welcomes new
members.
Bicycle Lafayette and the WRCC are involved in promoting May as National Bike Month
and in Bike to Work Week, this year observed May 11-15.
City officials and concerned citizens alike agree the movement toward alternative modes
of transportation is here to stay. "All the major cities have been aware of other forms of
transportation for 25 years," Grabois says. "It's great that our local cities are catching up
with the national culture."
For more information
• For detailed information about all of West Lafayette's paved trails and footpaths, visit
www.westlafayette.in.gov
• For a complete list of Lafayette's Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan goals, visit
www.lafayettebikeandped.com
• For information about the Wabash River Cycle Club go to www.wrcc-in.org
• Visit www.bicyclelafayette.org for more information about Bicycle Lafayette.
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