Bike path system is progressing

Coweta County is moving ahead with its plans for a bicycle path network traversing the county.

In a meeting last week, county officials worked on a strategy for establishing the path system.

Developing a county-wide bicycle plan will help reduce auto congestion and make it easier to get around the county without the aid of motorized machines, said a county spokesman. The plan also suggests changes in development patterns needed to better accommodate bicycles.

According to the county spokesman, the plan attempts to provide Coweta residents information on existing conditions and suggestions for creating more bike paths, but is by no means a rigid document. "Ideally, it will be used as a guide for future development, but will be effective only if the notions within the plan are sonorous with the community's goals, bending as goals themselves bend," he said.

Recommendations from last week's meeting include:

Appropriate signs.

Part of every bicycle network, signs provide ready reminders to motorists of the possible presence of bicycles. Signs should create continuous routes that provide cyclists challenging and enjoyable rides.

Because through traffic represents a significant portion of the total traffic on Coweta's streets on any given day, signs can serve to warn the non-resident motorists who may only occasionally drive in Coweta. Additionally, sign installation is relatively inexpensive and can be initiated quickly.

Signs should be placed every two miles and just before and after every intersection involving a turn.

Sign design should feature a standardized, easily recognizable bicycle graphic.

Signs should be consistent throughout the county.

Signs should designate beginning and end of routes.

Each route should be numbered in order to create familiarity.

Coweta's routes should indicate their connection to the state routes that pass through the county.

A system of markers identifying historically or architecturally significant structures and sites should be placed along each route.

Safety for cyclists.

The recommendations include building an awareness of bicycle safety through local media outlets and conducting public ribbon-cutting ceremonies when bicycle route improvements are completed to make people aware that bicycles will be in the area.

In developing a bicycle plan, a good understanding of the laws affecting the safe operation of bicycles is important. The program should include strengthened enforcement programs targeted specifically at road-sharing laws.

Land development.

The manner in which land is developed can have a profound effect on the feasibility and accommodation of bicycling. In order to create an equitable environment, bicycle and pedestrian planning should become central to the long-term comprehensive land use planning efforts in Coweta. Officials recommend requiring all rezoning requests to address bicycle/pedestrian accessibility and that all approved site plans should include provisions for adequate bicycle parking facilities and bicycle/pedestrian access.

A local ordinance must be written to mandate the inclusion of bicycle parking facilities in all public, large residential, and large commercial buildings.

The following state-maintained highways are recommended for bicycle lane upgrades: 16, 27, 29, 34, 54, 70, 74, 154.

There is ample room in Coweta for a system of grade-separated bicycle paths, and seemingly no dearth of interest, according to the county spokesman. Off-road paths offer particular benefits for children, who typically do not have well-developed riding skills or knowledge of on-road operating etiquette. Grade-separated paths can be planned and constructed in different ways.

Officials plan to start implementing their strategies in the next few months and holding public meetings to get residents involved in the process.

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