Saratoga Springs bike advocates say city is ignoring its Complete Streets plan

Saratoga Springs cyclists say the city is disregarding its Complete Streets plan as it paves two popular bike routes without adding bike lanes, reports Wendy Liberatore in Times Union. In a letter to the city council, members of Bikeatoga Advocacy said the paving work currently happening on Henry Street has "nothing resembling that kind of sustained, professional project management of our Complete Streets Plan."

The letter added that the failure to incorporate bike infrastructure is "baffling, disheartening and inconsistent with important city goals." The organization is asking the city to create a working group that would assess the alignment of infrastructure projects with the city's Complete Streets goals and create plans for Complete Streets projects. 

According to Liberatore, "Commissioner of Public Works BK Keramati said that striping for bike lanes can be laid down after paving and that the paving does not preclude it. However, curb cuts for new crosswalks are not included, Keramati said." The city must include bike lanes, sidewalks, or ADA-compliant upgrades to qualify for $5 million in state funding. 

Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Coll said that bike lanes on Henry Avenue need revised plans due to new outdoor dining, and that Union Street bike lanes are controversial and "There is insufficient community input, and we lack updated engineering plans, surveys, and a comprehensive feasibility study to support such a decision."