Community organization partners with DPW to improve cyclist safety

INDIANAPOLIS — Bicyclists say the roads and journey lanes round Indy aren’t adequate.

Close to misses and unlawful turns have led to shut calls for a lot of of them.

“It is method higher than it was once, however I believe that it nonetheless must be improved,” Harol Wade mentioned.

Wade, who makes use of a motorcycle as his principal type of transportation, says he can see areas for enchancment.

Indy Bike Lane Protection, a group advocacy group, says they’re bored with bicyclists practically being hit on Indianapolis roads.

“We won’t ask drivers to concentrate at this level. It is like asking them to not pace or run crimson lights. Everybody within the metropolis is aware of that may be a constant downside proper now. What we’d like is the infrastructure that stops it within the first place,” Jarron Burdine with Indy Bike Lane Protection mentioned.

The group began a mission, that was accepted by DPW, to repair an space they are saying is downright harmful.

“Drivers driving by way of the bike lane to make their flip onto the freeway ramp,” Burdine mentioned.

WRTV noticed that occur on Thursday firsthand on the intersection of 12^th and Illinois in Downtown Indianapolis.

One other difficulty WRTV caught on digital camera was automobiles turning throughout a crimson gentle when it was time for bikes to cross.

“I believe we have to be extra proactive concerning the security infrastructure tasks,” Burdine mentioned.

Indy Bike Lane Protection has positioned bollards within the roadway at that intersection to attempt to forestall harmful conditions from occurring.

Although it has slowed automobiles down a bit, it hasn’t stopped all the pieces.

“I believe everyone simply must get extra used to it,” Wade mentioned.

Bikers say schooling on the roadways is essential to their survival.

“You may nonetheless drive, and we are able to nonetheless bike. We will dwell in concord right here, we simply want a little bit push in the fitting course,” Burdine mentioned.

The group companions with Indy Pedestrian Disaster group to trace knowledge involving pedestrians and cyclists.

They’re able to decide areas which may have to be checked out and improved on an infrastructure stage.

That is a part of the group’s effort to enhance infrastructure across the metropolis of Indianapolis.

They mentioned they’ll see how the mission works and hopefully broaden it from there.