- November 29, 2024
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Someday, it may be possible to ride a bicycle from Highbridge Road to Central Park along bike paths, if the long-range city Bike Plan becomes a reality. The path, which would be one of several in the city, would travel through Tomoka State Park and link to FPL right-of-ways.
The Bike Plan calls for 15 new miles of multiuse paths, varying from eight to 10 feet wide, to connect destinations in the city. Some are separate from the road and others follow a road.
Planning Director Richard Goss is currently meeting with other city advisory boards, as well as citizens who live nearby the proposed trails, to get input.
“There is a need for greater mobility, access, and connectivity on and off the street system that accommodates walkers, bicyclist and transit users.”
Richard Goss, planning director
“Overall we’ve had good comments,” he said. “I’m meeting with 550 people over three meetings next week.”
Final approval will be required by the City Commission.
The plan is projected to take 10 years to complete and cost $5.36 million. Goss explained to the Quality of Life Board recently that the city would not assume full responsibility for payment. For example, three projects have already been submitted to the River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization for funding. The city would pay only 10%, and that money would come from mobility fees charged to new commercial construction.
The maintenance fee, after all of the trails are completed, is estimated at $32,604, and this would come from the city’s general fund.
In addition to building trails, the plan calls for adding paved shoulders or designated bike lanes to roads, if feasible, when roads are resurfaced.
For example, when North Halifax was resurfaced, bike lanes were added without widening the road, since the lane widths were wider than normal, Goss said.
“Remember there is more than just cars on the road,” he wrote in an email. “There is a need for greater mobility, access, and connectivity on and off the street system that accommodates walkers, bicyclist and transit users.”
Goss said there are three types of bike riders: experienced riders who would travel the Loop in the traffic lanes; intermediate riders who take bicycle lanes; and casual riders, who would only go on paths or sidewalks. The bike plan takes all three into consideration.
Other parts of the plan call for bike parking at all multifamily or commercial developments, and bike repair stations, where riders can fix a flat or adjust their bike.
The Florida Dept. of Transportation also adds bike lanes when possible. They were added to State Road 40 when the corridor was resurfaced recently, and the biggest reason was for safety.
Ormond Beach has the highest per capita bike crashes in the state, Goss told the Quality of Life Board. This was calculated using data from the University of Florida, which receives reports of bike crashes from cities and counties throughout the state. From 2010 to 2014, there were 31 injuries in bike crashes on city streets, with most occurring 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays at driveways and intersections.
The city has been working on a Bike Plan for several years, Goss said, but it made a big step forward last year when an intern was used to pull the details together. He said a plan is needed in order to apply for funding.
The Quality of Life Board voted unanimously to support the Bike Plan. The City Commission will probably review the next summer.
“We’re moving in the right direction,” said Chairman Dr. Philip Shapiro. “I hope it doesn’t take 10 years.”
Currently, the city has 5.9 miles of multiuse bike paths, mostly to link neighborhoods and schools. A new path was recently approved by the City Commission to link the Forest Hills neighborhood with Tomoka Elementary School, so students don’t have to travel on Granada Boulevard or Nova Road to get to school. Bus service in the area was discontinued a few years ago.
This is one of the projects listed in the Bike Plan. The cost will be $57,423, with the FDOT paying $51,811 in a grant.
