Dallas roads are congested and crowded, and cycling can be a harrowing affair. Bike lanes set aside in areas where they aren’t needed or that lead to nowhere won’t make the streets any safer for cyclists. Happily, the city is aware of that.
As a 2024 New Year’s resolution, Dallas should make sure an upcoming investment in the city’s bike infrastructure improves mobility for residents.
City staff members are continuing to work on a plan to invest $2.5 million of city money plus possible grants and bond funding to make Dallas more bike-friendly. A full version of the plan is expected to come later this year for the City Council to consider.
As with all things in government, there’s only so much money to go around, and more infrastructure doesn’t necessarily translate to better mobility. It is important that planners have a sound strategy for the money.
During a November briefing, several City Council members expressed the right sentiments, questioning the types of infrastructure to build and where it should go. At least four council members said they didn’t see the point of adding infrastructure to every part of the city and then hoping it will increase ridership, our newsroom reported.
Since Dallas residents are the ones who should benefit from better bike infrastructure, it makes sense to find out who will use it and where. A great way of figuring that out is to ask.
Dallas’ Department of Transportation plans to conduct additional public meetings and engagement opportunities beginning in early 2024 to help staff make recommendations.
This is an opportunity for Dallas residents to get involved and help planners determine how to best allocate available resources to have the greatest impact.
People who really want better cycling infrastructure will most likely speak up, but even for those who don’t think it would help in their neighborhood, it’s worth saying something.
Cost of living has continued to be a major concern in Dallas, and offering better options for cyclists could help change that over time. Biking options are most important for people who either can’t afford or would prefer not to bear the expenses or hassle of car ownership. But it’s also healthier for all of us to get on the bike more often. Making biking a more viable option can help the city compete with neighboring suburbs and even help draw prospective residents.
Generations of laying out the city to favor cars means that other methods of transportation are less safe and less viable. Transitioning away from car-centric infrastructure in Dallas won’t be easy, but with care and good planning, it can be done.
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