Bike lanes will pay off

Wichita’s efforts to be more bicycle-friendly are driving some discontent, especially because the new bike lanes on First and Second streets reduced traffic lanes from three to two. But these and other planned changes promise to pay off in wellness and quality of life.

There will be a learning curve with the bike lanes, which are striped and painted green in ways that can be confusing. But they will both welcome and safeguard bicyclists on more Wichita streets, while encouraging motorists to exercise caution.

To its credit, the city is working to raise awareness of the lanes and the applicable laws, and using state grant money to distribute headlights, taillights and warning bells to bicyclists lacking these safety basics. More wayfinding signs for bicyclists also are coming.

So are more projects citywide that may come as a surprise to drivers, though they stem from the bicycle master planning process started in 2011 and approved in 2013. The more the bike amenities are used, the more comfortable riders and drivers will be with them.

A city with bike lanes on its streets and a well-connected system of bike and walking paths also signals to visitors and potential residents and businesses that the community both values and enables outdoor recreational activities. Such perceptions matter more in light of research highlighting the urgent need to attract young talent and new employers.

For the editorial board, Rhonda Holman

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 6:08 PM with the headline "Bike lanes will pay off."