Dear Editor, InkFreeNews:

I appreciated the recent ProPEL US 30 community meeting as well as the InkFreeNews coverage of it keeping our citizenry informed of this important part of our collective future.

“Safety” and “mobility” are two of the four priorities in the plan, yet I did not see any plans for nonmotorized traffic to get across US 30 in Warsaw with either safety or mobility in mind. Bicyclists and pedestrians need a dedicated trail bridge not only for their safety and mobility but for the safety and mobility of motorized traffic as well.

At age 71, I drive 20,000 miles/year and bike 1,000 miles/year. As a driver, I do not want bicycles on crowded, busy roads; as a cyclist, I do not want cars and trucks on my path. I would think there would be near unanimity with this thinking. And yet, the ProPEL plan fails to propose solutions to getting across US 30 for nonmotorized travelers.

Page 51 of the plan states: “Warsaw is an incredibly congested and unsafe area along US 30.” The plan repeatedly (12 times) acknowledges that “crossing US 30 by bicycle is dangerous.” It mentions the danger of crossing by foot once.

The plan addresses its “potential to impede pedestrian and cycling crossing of US 30,” (page 58), but it contains no language facilitating pedestrian and cyclist crossing US 30. In fact the plan explicitly states, “The need for bicycle and pedestrian facilities within the study area have not been identified in this study” (page 10).

When I ride my bicycle to Washington, D.C., or New York, I ride through multiple communities that have installed designated bicycle/pedestrian bridges, securing the safety and mobility of all traffic. Designated pathways for those who value exercise and recreation increase safety and lower risk. Additionally, these pathways raise economic value for all in our community by attracting those outside our community to our community.

If you are a driver who does not want cyclists and pedestrians in your path, or if you are a cyclist/pedestrian who wants safe means of crossing US 30, please add your voice to the ProPEL US 30 comments at propelus30.com and select “Submit Comment(s).”

This is a once in a half-century opportunity to get this right. Let’s get it right. Please help.

Thank you.

Richard Rooker
Warsaw