White Plains Continues to Promote Cycling
On Wednesday evening, Jan. 29, a gathering of over 30 cyclists met at White Plains Public Library to talk about cycling in the region and to hear from Mayor Tom Roach about his plans for bicycles in the city.
The Westchester Cycle Club and the Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester & Putnam sponsored the event.
Dave Wilson, an avid cyclist and WCC board member, had organized similar meetings in Putnam County and decided it was time to bring the focus to Westchester.
Mayor Roach was joined by Deputy Commissioner of Parking, City Transportation Engineer Tom Soyk, who is working with the mayor and Common Council on moving White Plains in the direction of a Complete Streets model, where pedestrians and cyclists are considered as important as automobiles.
To date the city has established bicycle lanes in two phases to bring cyclists to and from the Transcenter and middle of town with a focus on the south end of the city. During the Phase 3 roll out, lanes will continue to the south end, with the goal of connecting all the lanes to each other.
When queried why there were no bicycle lanes on Mamaroneck Avenue, both Roach and Soyk explained that with parking on the avenue and cars moving fast, there was no room. However, dedicated lanes on Waller Avenue, running parallel to Mamaroneck Avenue offered a safer alternative path to get to the same destination.
The mayor indicated he was interested in building a bike lane that would run in both directions from Barker Avenue on N. Broadway to the entrance of I-287. Again, this path would need to be built, not just painted as lanes on the street, to ensure cyclist safety.
Bicycle racks will also be added to city garages. “These keep getting filled up,” Roach said. Other racks will be supplied by private businesses.
Mayor Roach was enthusiastic about making White Plains more cyclist friendly. He said he was surprised the city was still the only municipality in Westchester with dedicated bicycle lanes.
Before ending his portion of the meeting, Roach told the cyclists in attendance that they had to pay attention to the traffic rules, which was especially important for urban cycling.
Other news coming out of the meeting was the announcement of a new bicycle shop opening in late February on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains across from the YMCA.
Called Cycle Works, the new venture will operate as a full service shop selling bicycles and accessories and doing repairs.
Mark Laloo spoke about Bike Helmet Day, planned for May 3rd at Delfino Park and open to White Plains children. There will be helmet fittings and a bike rodeo.
Laloo is looking for volunteers to help with the event and welcomes interested parties to contact him at electrovelo@gmail.com.
Rich Payne of Downtown White Plains Criterium said the next Criterium race would be held June 8th.
Entering its third year, the Criterium continues to contribute proceeds to NCADD (National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence).
The 2014 White Plains Criterium was awarded the New York State Criterium Championships, which Payne explained is an honor, especially for an organization in its third year.
For more information about the White Plains Criterium visit www.whiteplainscrit.com.
