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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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  • Latest from the blog

    A Bright Future for Fireweed

    The Future of Fireweed Lane: Let's Get It Right! This is an adapted version of a presentation given at Bike Anchorage's June 25, 2025 Advocacy Committee meeting. The Municipality of Anchorage and Alaska DOT&PF are working on a major redesign of Fireweed Lane from the Seward Highway and Spenard Road. This project has huge potential, but we need your help to ensure that the final design puts safety and long-term sustainability first. What’s the Goal? The project’s stated goals are solid: improve safety, support walking and biking, and make Fireweed a functional, connected corridor. Unfortunately, the preliminary designs fall short of delivering on that promise. Slide from Fireweed Open House #1, October 30, 2024. Why Now Matters Right now, Fireweed is mostly owned by the state. But after construction is complete, the Municipality of Anchorage will take over the entire corridor, including the responsibility for plowing and maintenance. We’re in the early design phase; only one public open house has happened so far, in October 2024. That means public input today can make a huge difference in shaping the final design. Our City Already Has a Plan We don’t need to start from scratch. Anchorage has adopted multiple transportation plans that clearly lay out the vision for streets like Fireweed: Spenard Corridor Plan Anchorage Non-Motorized Plan Anchorage Complete Streets Policy Anchorage Long-Range Transportation Strategy These plans call for: Protected bike lanes and sidewalk-level cycletracks Road diets to improve safety and use space more efficiently Designs that prioritize people over cars What’s a Road Diet, and Why Do We Need One? Overbuilt, excessively wide roads encourage speeding and dangerous driving, and are hostile to other road users like bicyclists and pedestrians. In those situations, a road diet reallocates unneeded car travel lanes to make space for sidewalks, bike facilities, and greenery. Smart design naturally enforces safe, attentive driving, and the road becomes safer for everyone. A recent example of a successful road diet in Anchorage is the north end of Spenard Road. Road diets are: A Proven Safety Countermeasure endorsed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eligible for federal funding (which the Fireweed project uses!) Proven to reduce crashes, save lives, and improve access for everyone Revitalization, Not Just Repaving Fireweed is a corridor full of schools, neighborhoods, and small businesses, with important links to the active transportation network via the Chester Creek greenbelt trail and Spenard Road. It’s also lined with aging buildings, which means redevelopment is on the horizon. A walkable, bikeable, people-friendly street will support and encourage that revitalization. Slide from Fireweed Open House #1, October 30, 2024. Traffic volumes on Fireweed have dropped nearly 50% over the past 20 years! We don’t need a four-lane highway here; we need a destination street that supports local life, not just car throughput. Current Conditions Are Failing People Sidewalks are narrow, crumbling, and blocked by utility poles Driveways interrupt pedestrian space and cause dips that make sidewalks hard to use with strollers or mobility aids The road is unnecessarily wide and dangerous to cross In winter, snow blocks sidewalks and there’s nowhere safe to walk or roll Slides from Fireweed Open House #1, October 30, 2024. The Corridor Is Overbuilt Slide from Fireweed Open House #1, October 30, 2024. Current layout: 4 lanes for cars, almost no space for people.Current traffic: just 5,000–6,500 vehicles per day.For comparison, a four-lane road is built to handle 36,000 vehicles per day! We are massively overbuilt for actual demand. So What Does Fireweed Actually Need? We need a design that prioritizes: Safe, connected routes for walking and biking Driveway consolidation to reduce conflict points and allow level sidewalks Space for lighting, landscaping, and snow storage A right-sized roadway that encourages safer driving All within the existing right-of-way, no property acquisition needed The Current Design Proposals Aren’t Good Enough The preliminary designs are still prioritizing car throughput over safety and livability. They: Include too many vehicle lanes for actual traffic needs Don’t leave room for basic infrastructure like lighting or snow storage Rely on narrow curbs that won’t allow level sidewalks Add unnecessary street parking, when Fireweed is already surrounded by parking lots We Proposed a Better Way Bike Anchorage submitted two design alternatives that include: Raised cycletracks (protected, sidewalk-level bike lanes) Consolidated driveways and level sidewalks for better walking and biking continuity Room for landscaping, lighting, snow storage, and signage All within the existing road width Change Is Hard—But Worth It Contemplating a change this big can be intimidating. But in city after city, road diets like this one see strong opposition before construction, and then strong support once people experience the result. They're called Proven Safety Countermeasures for a reason! Now’s the Time to Speak Up Public comment is open!  📣 What to ask for: A two-lane design Raised cycletrack for bikes Driveway consolidation and level sidewalks Room for snow storage and lighting 📝 How to comment: Share your thoughts with the project team at [email protected] Reference Bike Anchorage’s submitted letter if you want Share a personal story, especially if you live, work, or travel on Fireweed
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    Winter Bike Commuting Quick Start Guide

    Get Ready for Winter Bike to Work Day! Winter biking might seem intimidating, but with a little preparation, it can be a great way to get around Anchorage. We’ve collected the best tips and tricks from the Bike Anchorage team to help you transform your daily commute, get fresh air and exercise, and join the friendly community of year-round Anchorage riders. And with Winter Bike to Work Day coming up on February 14, there’s no better time to give it a shot! What You Need to Start Winter Bike Commuting Good news: You don’t need a fancy bike or expensive gear to start riding in the winter! Here’s what you do need: ✅ A bike that works for winter conditions: Almost any bike can work! Fat bikes, mountain bikes and commuter bikes can all be adapted for riding on snow and ice.✅ A route you’re comfortable riding: Your winter route may be different from your summer route, depending on snow and maintenance conditions. Greenbelt trails, side streets, or roads with reliable plowing may be better options. Check out Bike Anchorage’s bike maps for route planning help!✅ A backup plan: Did you know every People Mover bus has a bike rack? You can use the bus to extend your range or skip rough sections. You can even buy tickets on the app when you don’t have cash. Dressing for Winter Riding The key to staying warm while biking in the winter is layering. Aim to start your ride feeling a little cold--you’ll warm up as you go! 🥶 20-32ºF: This is the majority of winter, and most people can get too warm easily. Light layers and good wind protection are key.🥶 0-20ºF: Add an extra base layer, and keep skin exposure to a minimum.🥶 Below 0ºF: More layers, thicker gloves or pogies (handlebar mittens), and extra insulation for feet and face are a must. Some gear that makes winter biking more comfortable: Softshell or shell jacket and pants to block wind and keep snow out Very warm boots because cold toes are the #1 winter biking complaint! Heated socks and insoles are a great alternative to buying a new set of boots Helmet cover or hat, ear band, buff to protect your head and face Pogies to keep hands warm without bulky gloves Winter Bike Setup & Safety Lights, lights, lights! Use a steady front light to see and a flashing rear light to be seen. Anchorage’s winter daylight is short, so make sure other road and trail users can see you. Tires: Studded tires offer better grip on ice, but if you don’t have them, lower tire pressure can help because it increases contact with the ground. Carrying your stuff: Backpacks are a well-loved classic for a reason, but on longer or bumpier rides, it’s nice to keep weight off your back. Try panniers, a basket, or even a trailer to make transporting gear easier. Repair kit essentials: A multitool, pump, patch kit, extra layer, and hand warmers can save the day. Taking Your Time & Finding Your Route Winter biking isn’t about speed! It’s about stability and safety.🚴‍♂️ Take turns slower and give yourself extra stopping distance. Your tires have the most contact and grip when the bike is perpendicular to the ground (straight up and down).🚴‍♂️ Remember, your winter route may not be your summer route! Trails, plowed sidewalks, or side streets might be better options than busy roads.🚴‍♂️ Use these tools to check the status of streets and trails: Municipal snow plow status with live GPS tracking  (“Trackless” = sidewalk plow) State-maintained road and sidewalk priority maps    Parks & Recreation trail info & grooming status map  Alaska Outdoor Report for crowdsourced trail conditions in the Anchorage area and beyond  Finding Bike Parking in Winter Looking for a place to lock up? Check out Bike Anchorage’s bike parking map to find racks around town. But be aware: many bike racks may not be maintained in winter and can be buried in snow. If you see a bike rack that has been abandoned to a snow pile, speak up! Let business owners or property managers know that people still need bike parking year-round. More Tools & Resources 📌 Bike Anchorage Commuting Tools: Bike Maps: Plan the best route for your commute Bike Parking Map: Find bike racks around town (but check for snow!) Rules of the Road & Trail Etiquette: Know your rights and responsibilities 📌 Learn More, Online and In Person: Shifter: Great Youtube channel from an urban rider in Vancouver    Off the Chain: Anchorage’s community bike co-op for DIY repairs 📌 Ways to Advocate for Better Winter Biking Write to your elected officials about the importance of better winter biking infrastructure. Email all Assembly members here, find your local representatives here, and find your state representatives here. Join Bike Anchorage! We’re a small, scrappy nonprofit working hard to make Anchorage more bike-friendly. If you find this work valuable, help us keep it up! Become a member or get involved in advocacy: Bike Anchorage Advocacy Committee Report snow removal issues: Municipal paths (MOA): (907) 343-7569 State-maintained roads (DOT): (907) 338-1466 Sidewalks blocked by snow berms? Use #ANCWorks → Right of Way Concern → Fill out a service request Try Winter Biking This February! Winter Bike to Work Day is on Friday, February 14, the perfect time to test out winter commuting! Whether you ride every day or just give it a shot for one morning, you’ll be part of a community of riders—and enjoy free treats and swag along the way. And don’t miss Winter Bike Fest, with a full lineup of events throughout February! Join in for fun rides, social gatherings, and a raffle with awesome prizes including a brand-new fat bike, pogies and more! Questions? Comments? We hope this explainer has been helpful and inspiring! If you have any questions, need more help getting started, or just want to get more involved with Bike Anchorage, we’d love to hear from you. Shoot us an email at [email protected]!
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