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We advocate for a vibrant, livable, and healthy Anchorage where it is safe and practical to go by bike.

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    Bike Anchorage Goes to Washington, DC

    This March, Bike Anchorage had the exciting opportunity to attend the National Bike Summit held in Washington, DC. This annual gathering brings together passionate bike advocates from across the nation to connect, network, and delve into the latest advancements in bike policy and funding. It was an inspiring experience for our team, and we're eager to share the highlights of our journey with you. One of the first things that struck us upon arriving in Washington, DC, was the impressive network of bike infrastructure woven throughout the city. With an extensive variety of bike lanes and abundant bike-sharing stations, the city's commitment to prioritizing cycling as a mode of transportation was evident at every turn. This infrastructure really inspired us as we look forward to Anchorage's first bidirectional protected bike lane coming to downtown this summer—a transformative development toward safe, accessible cycling in our city. During our visit, we biked to the Capitol to meet with Alaska's Senators and Representative. In these meetings, we shared updates on the initiatives we're spearheading to make Anchorage a more bike-friendly city. We discussed the importance of better bike policies and increased funding at the federal level, advocating for measures that will benefit cyclists not only in Anchorage but across the country. All of our members of Congress voiced their support for biking, and we're hopeful to see them again this summer at one of our group rides along the new protected bike lane! None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our donors and supporters. We set a fundraising goal of $1000 to cover the costs of our travel to the National Bike Summit, and thanks to your incredible generosity, we not only met but exceeded that goal. We are immensely grateful for your contributions and belief in our mission. Your support has empowered us to amplify our advocacy efforts and drive positive change for cyclists in Anchorage. As we return home from the National Bike Summit, we carry with us a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and renewed determination to make Anchorage a better, more bike-friendly city. We are excited to leverage the insights gained from this experience and put them into action, working collaboratively with our community partners and local stakeholders to create a safer, more accessible cycling environment for all. Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this trip possible. Together, we will continue to pedal towards a brighter future for cycling in Anchorage!
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    Protected Bike Lanes for Spenard

    Can you imagine a Spenard corridor like this? Send an email using our template by clicking here. Let your voice be heard.  What’s this about? Spenard Road (between Minnesota and Benson) will be rebuilt soon to better fit the businesses, residents, and wider Anchorage community. Unfortunately, the project's current design features unsafe and high-stress bike facility designs that will not be usable for most people. *If you want to get involved send an email using our template.  This DOT project proposes:Option 1. 8-foot sidewalk, 4-feet bicycle lane (unprotected), 2-feet of curb and gutter.Option 2. 12-foot multi-use pathway made up of a 6-foot sidewalk and a 6-foot bike lane (it's unclear if there will be a separation of each section). Option 3. 7 ½ foot sidewalk, 4 1/2 feet bicycle lane (unprotected), and 2-feet of curb and gutter.*Note: all design options have two 11-foot travel lanes (for vehicles) and a 13-foot center turn lane. The Bike Anchorage Advocacy Committee opposes unprotected bike lanes on this core community corridor that should be accessible to everyone. Spenard road will not see a redesign like this for another 20 to 30 years. So, let's make Spenard a route for all the people in Anchorage! This petition calls on DOT to provide protected bike lanes all along the Spenard Rd project (Benson Blvd to Minnesota Dr). If you want to get involved send an email using our template.    What are "Protected Bike Lanes"? Protected bike lanes offer physical protection to people on bikes and increase driver sightline to people biking at driveways and intersections. They are what most cities are using to enable more people to go by bike.Protected bike lanes are safe and functional for people of all abilities (that means YOU and your family). In contrast, unprotected bike lanes (meaning bike lanes marked only with paint) will be considered usable to only ~3% of people.   *Examples of urban protected bike lanes in the United States Is there enough room on Spenard for protected bike lanes? Yes! 65-feet of right-of-way space provides the necessary room for traffic levels while also offering these modern bikes and walking amenities. It is possible and will take community members like you to speak up and encourage our city planners for the much-needed change. As currently proposed by DOT, the new Spenard redesign proposes the highest level of stress bike facilities and is considered usable only by the elite “strong and fearless” riders.    Does the Community want protected bike lanes?  The Spenard Corridor plan and project review meetings recorded overwhelming business and community support for modern bike and walkability. As a result, we were surprised that the Alaska DOT project team released roadway diagrams that go so strongly against the planning and community input years by omitting working bike facilities.    Here 7 important reasons to build protected bike lanes on Spenard: 1) Safety and Usability. Protected bike lanes will make the street much safer for people riding bikes or other rolling options by physically protecting them from the dangers of cars and trucks along the roadway. Rather than expecting bicyclists and other moderate-speed users to travel on the sidewalk, providing a dedicated bicycle facility will provide a better experience for pedestrians and people with disabilities. It will also make bicyclists more visible when crossing the many side streets and business pullouts of Spenard. The street will be safer and less congested for everyone—including people driving. 2) Business and Midtown community success. Protected bike lanes mean business and are hugely beneficial for local businesses, the nearby residential livability, and property values. Protected bike lanes will help businesses recover from the hits they've taken during COVID by bringing an entirely new stream of foot and bike traffic.Protected bike lanes allow "all-ability" use by the community by making this corridor a welcoming area to spend time... not just to drive through. When a street is bike and foot-accessible to all community members, local commerce and neighborhoods thrive! 3) Equity. Protected bike lanes on Spenard will provide people in outer Midtown a faster, more affordable alternative to driving. A city's ability to provide its community safe and practical transportation options beyond owning a vehicle is the number one factor for ensuring at-risk community members can stay and move above the poverty line. 4) Climate goals. By encouraging people to bike rather than drive, we'll get closer to achieving our city's goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. In addition to helping us achieve long-term goals, protected bike lanes will immediately make the neighborhood's air cleaner and reduce noise pollution. 5) Accessibility. Protected bike lanes benefit younger, elder, and people with physical disabilities by giving them a safe, fast, and comfortable way to get around on bikes and other mobility devices. In addition, they allow them to be more independent by not relying on cars and other people for every trip. 6) Winter City Infrastructure and maintenance budgets. Many winter cities in North America and around the Arctic Circle have experienced increases in bike usage after implementing an urban network of protected and low-stress bike lanes.  The rise in the use of bikes for transportation reduces the cost of construction and maintenance. Every additional percentage of trips made by bicycle will save our state's budget millions with reduced wear, tear, and collision damage on our roads. Protected bike lanes are also what winter cities have moved to because they are a better option to allow easy, cost-effective year-round maintenance (including winters). In contrast, painted bike lanes, which are not feasible to maintain during winter and spring. 7) Building for the future. Now is our opportunity to ask for the Spenard that we want to experience for the coming decades.   If you support this vision for Spenard, please join our community movement. Send your petition using our email template and share it with others.    
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