The city of Hays is getting a lot of questions and comments about the new Bike Hays system. Here are some of the most frequent asked questions, and the answers, from Paul Briseno, Assistant Hays City Manager.
Why is the City of Hays painting all of these bike symbols all over the city streets?
The on-street system is part of the overall 21 mile bike Hays system. Information is available online at www.bikehays.com.
It incorporates nearly every park, educational unit, business district, amenity and neighborhood. A desire for such a system came from the community in the 1995 strategic plan, and then again in the 2012 Comprehensive plan. The 2007 bike plan had 11 miles and was expected to cost $7 million. This new plan (2012) that is being implemented costs a little over $1 million and cost the city a little over $400,000. The current system costs $400,000 for 21 miles using existing infrastructure with paint vs. $7 million for 11 miles.
The symbols are being painted on the streets in about every block of what I’m guessing is a bike trail. Some blocks in the same direction the symbols are painted 1-4 times that I’ve seen. Isn’t that over done??
The system is engineered because it is a KDOT project; therefore, they are using national safety guidelines.
I don’t like the bike lanes but I understand them. What I don’t understand is the bike symbols are being painted in different areas of the streets and again in about every block of the street and multiple times.
The system is created to be intuitive for riders therefore multiple symbols are needed and guided by standards. Remember, when in the car, you are traveling at faster speeds and pick up on the next symbol quicker than when on a bike.
What is it costing to do this bike lane and trails?
The total is a little over $1 million. It cost the city a little over $400,000. City funding came from special alcohol funds and stormwater funds. These funds can only be used for park related projects/quality of life improvements and stormwater projects, not streets, sewer, or other projects. No sales tax or property tax was used.
When these wear off are you going to repaint them?
The Special alcohol fund, which can only be used for park related/quality of life projects will fund ongoing painting and provide funds for additional lanes, signage, racks, etc if the public desires. These funds are replenished by alcohol that is consumed in Hays which has been constant over the years. This is not a new tax.
In the bike lanes is there any change in laws that the drivers of Hays need to be aware of? It’s not just me other from my work are wanting to know why too.
No, bikes are allowed to ride on the streets now. However, they are now given a specific route with the fewest stops to get from point to point with the least amount of stops. Identifying the system–above all else–makes it safer for the motorist and bicyclist. The city only asks that motorists and bicyclists be respectful of each other and obey traffic laws. Bicyclists have to follow the same rules as motorists.
Visit www.bikehays.com for the brochure http://www.haysusa.com/BikeHaysBikingGuide2015.pdf which has the map and educational information. There are other trails that are incorporated as well.
On here, you will also find additional frequently asked questions http://www.haysusa.com/BikeHays_FAQ_Final3.pdf, and videos explaining the use http://www.haysusa.com/html/bikevideos.html.
VIDEOS
Paul Briseno, Hays assistant city manager