Posted April 24, 2015
The City of Tucson will host a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. on Stone Avenue near Toole Avenue to celebrate Tucson's first two-way, curb-protected bicycle lane. The new bike lane is on the east side of Stone Avenue from Toole Avenue to Alameda Street. While Stone Avenue is a one-way street for vehicular traffic between Toole Avenue and Alameda Street, cyclists will be able to travel in both directions in this new bike lane.
Mayor Jonathan Rothschild will participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony immediately following the Bike Ride with the Mayor event that begins at the Whole Foods Market on Speedway Boulevard (3360 E. Speedway Blvd). Whole Foods is offering a free breakfast for cyclists as part of Bike to Work week starting at 7 a.m. The Mayor's Ride will leave Whole Foods at 7:45 a.m. and conclude at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Other speakers for the ribbon cutting include Daryl W. Cole, the Director of the City of Tucson Transportation Department and Ian Johnson, Chair of the Urban Core Bicycle Advisory Subcommittee.
The City of Tucson already has one separated bike lane on St. Mary's Road between Davis Street and Main Avenue. The St. Mary's separated bike lane uses hardy plastic posts to separate the six-foot wide bike lane from the right-most lane of motor vehicle traffic. The Stone Avenue separated bike lane will use a concrete curb and a motor vehicle parking lane to separate the bike lane from motor vehicle traffic.
Projects like this separated bike lane are increasing in popularity across the country. Research shows separated bike lanes attract more riders. Many potential cyclists are not comfortable riding near car traffic but will ride if there is a physical separator.
For additional information on the City of Tucson's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, visit https://www.tucsonaz.gov/bicycle