Tag Archives: Hoan Bridge bike lane

There won’t be a bike lane on the Hoan Bridge.

Check out The Business Journal story here. Here is the press release.

As most of my readers know, I supported the addition of a bike and pedestrian lane to the bridge — an effort, albeit costly, to go beyond the bare minimum to make the bridge truly unique and special.

Instead, we get the bare minimum. So it goes.

Maybe the powers that be will try again in 2050, or whenever the deck needs replacing again. In the meantime, I’ll continue to drive this vital link between downtown and the South Shore, wishing it could be this or this or this or this (because, yes, this is being done other places).

Nearly 300 people showed up at a public information meeting on Monday night about the proposed Hoan Bridge bike lanes.

Reaction was mixed, and some new details emerged.

Check out the Journal Sentinel story here, and, of course, I’d like to know what you think. Post your comments below!

Here is what I think: I support the addition of a bike lane to the Hoan, and spending what it takes to add it while keeping three lanes of traffic in both directions. The flow of vehicle traffic should not be compromised to accommodate cyclists.

I feel strongly that we must think big with this project and other major public works projects like it. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to go beyond the bare minimum — functionality, merely a way to connect point A to point B — and make the Hoan truly something special. The bike lanes help deliver on that promise. So would lights, which I proposed adding in a previous post.

Now, will most people reading this post ever walk or bike the Hoan? No. Will I? I’m not sure. But many will, and simply having that option available makes the Hoan a unique attraction of which the entire can region can boast.

We must, as a city and larger community, do a better job of seeking, and ultimately embracing, big ideas when we have a chance to do so. This is that opportunity. Seize it.