When you pull onto a street in a car, you have certain expectations. The road will be smoothly paved, with clearly marked lanes, and the network of streets will not end without warning, leaving you stranded before you’ve reached your destination. But, if you’re riding a bike in the Kansas City metro, finding a safe, continuous route can be challenging.
On May 16, Kansas City announced a lofty goal: to qualify for silver status in the League of American Bicyclists Bike Friendly Community ranking program by 2015. And by 2020, the city wants to qualify for platinum status -- the highest ranking a city can achieve. By the city's estimation, the metro is less than one third of the way to the 600 miles of on-street bike paths needed to meet that qualification.
On Wednesday's Central Standard, we explore whether Kansas City is any closer to that goal now than we were this time last year. Plus, we venture beyond the city limits, getting an overview of the best places to bike in the suburbs.
Guests:
- Eric Bunch, Director of Education at Bike Walk KC
- Aaron Bartlett, Bicycle and Training Coordinator for MARC
- Brian Shields, City Traffic Engineer for the City of Overland Park
- Brian Anderson, Superintendent of Parks for the City of Leawood
- Mitch Williams, Member of Kansas City Metro Bicycle Club