Mayberry Bike Lanes

Aug 15, 2008 | Bike Facilities, Uncategorized | 2 comments

Reno’s most popular bike route is about to get a makeover.

Mayberry Drive is by far the most popular bicycle route in the Washoe Valley. Hundreds of bicyclists use it every week, both to commute to and from work and shopping and for recreational rides to lovely Verdi. Not to be overlooked, it is a key piece of the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway, a project enthusiastically supported by the City.

When we’ve ask for a bike lane in the past, the answer from local government has always been 1) “Is it in the long term plan” and 2) “we only put bike lanes on existing roads when they are being widened or otherwise refurbished if there is enough room”. Well, Mayberry Drive meets both of these criteria and it’s time to step up to the plate and put down some paint.

RTC has drawn up plans for a 3 lane solution and a 4 lane solution. The “3 lane solution” has one travel lane each direction, a center turn lane, bike lanes and parking. The “4 lane solution” has 2 travel lanes each direction, parking where needed and intermittent bike lanes.

The Reno City Council will meet at 6:00pm on August 20th in the Council Chambers in Reno City Hall, 1st and Virginia Street, to discuss and decide which solution they want Public Works to implement.

The Nevada Bicycle Coalition strongly supports the 3 lane solution. The 3 lane solution is the only solution with full bike lanes from 4th Street to McCarran. In addition, this configuration is noted for having a traffic calming effect, slowing motorists to a less frantic pace. Full length bike lanes and slower motor traffic both improve the safety of bicyclists on Mayberry and encourage more people to give bicycling a try.

The RTC has some concerns that traffic volumes in 5 to 10 years may require a 4 lane configuration, especially if they can’t get their funding situation fixed in November. Fortunately, roads are slurry sealed every few years and each time RTC will have the opportunity to propose a new configuration for the pavement stripes. It’s just paint…

The Nevada Bicycle Coalition urges all bicyclists in the area to attend the meeting and be counted in favor of the 3 lane solution.