The Shorthorn - Hike and bike trails possible to make Arlington more travel-friendly

HOME

NEWS

News

Hike and bike trails possible to make Arlington more travel-friendly

Written by John Harden, The Shorthorn senior staff

Wednesday, 20 January 2010 08:49 PM

A new citywide hike and bike master plan could make Arlington more travel friendly. The plan to create a new pedestrian and bike trail around the city will have its first open house at 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 at Arlington City Hall.

The public meeting will educate those interested in hearing about the plan and give them the chance to share ideas about how to best provide for bicycling and walking.

Public Meeting

When: 6 – 9 p.m. Jan. 27
Where: Arlington City Hall
101 W. Abram Street

The city hired Greenways Inc. as consultants to help design and develop a plan for the hike and bike trail system, which will help connect more parts of Arlington together, said Alicia Winkelblech, city transportation planning manager.

“It will be a citywide hike and bike system that everyone can take advantage of,” she said. “We hired Greenways who has been analyzing land conditions in the city and determining the best approach to design.”

Nursing Freshmen Donald Riddle rides his bike around campus Wednesday afternoon. Riddle rode his bicycle down the steps in front of the Central Library in order to save time. (The Shorthorn: Will LaVoncher)

In the open house, Greenways Inc. and the city will report city findings and make recommendations to the public. After Arlington residents learn about the current condition within the city, they’ll have the chance to provide their input. Winkelblech expects completion of a master plan for the bike system by November 2010.

“After we have a plan designed and completed, we’ll slowly begin to piece together a timeline for construction,” she said. “But first, the designs will have to be approved by the city and then we will try to seek funding.”

Some student who live on and close to campus prefer riding their bikes, said Ethan De Nolf, visual communication junior.

“I typically ride my bike to school and surrounding areas,” he said. “Anywhere further than that, I just drive there.”

De Nolf said the trail system could increase the distance he and other students ride their bikes around the Arlington by making more parts of the city accessible. The President’s Sustainability Committee has turned to using Facebook to help the city spread awareness of the trail system and open house.

“The committee hopes to get the word out to everyone from the university who is interested in attending so they can learn more and express their own viewpoints,” said Amy Schultz, communications and community relations associate vice president.

The Mavericks Go Green Facebook group was recently launched as a place for students, faculty, and others to share information about sustainability programs, she said.

The creation of a new trail system in Arlington could greatly enhance the university and city, Schultz said.

She said the new trail system would help make the campus more environmentally-friendly by possibly reducing the number of people who drive to school.

Views: 465 | E-mail

Be first to comment this article