On Feb. 27, the City Council is scheduled to vote on whether the federally funded Lance Armstrong Bikeway belongs on Third Street or Fourth through downtown Austin, and if it should become something more elaborate than a couple of striped bike lanes. Fourth Street is the route preferred by city staff, cycling activists, and advocates for the disabled, but bike advocates worry that a small but vocal and well respected group of Warehouse District business owners will convince the council to choose Third Street instead.
One concern about the Fourth Street route — that precious parking spaces would disappear — now appears to be moot. According to city bike-and-pedestrian coordinator Linda DuPriest, staff has found room for additional spaces to replace any lost to the bikeway. The plan now on the table — which moves some spaces to neighboring blocks — will in fact lead to a net increase in parking, she says.
But the Warehouse folks oppose Fourth Street for other reasons as well, and they intend to keep campaigning till the votes are counted. (So far, mayoral candidate Will Wynn has been most vocally opposed to the Fourth Street plan.) In a recent letter addressed to “fellow cyclists and concerned citizens of Austin,” cycling advocates ask recipients to help save the bikeway from “mediocrity” by lobbying council. They argue that Fourth Street traffic is slower than that on Third; that Fourth offers only six “conflicts” (driveways, alleys, loading docks) along the route, compared to 15 on Third; and that Fourth is more scenic. Furthermore, the project could enhance, rather than threaten, Warehouse District businesses, adds the Texas Bicycle Coalition’s Robin Stallings — chair of the Friends of the Lance Armstrong Bikeway. “Frankly, to me it’s about economic development there,” he said. “If it’s on Third, will this be a signature facility? If this is not going to be the premier bike facility in Austin, what is?”
This article appears in February 21 • 2003.