What was supposed to be a question-and-answer session about bike lanes turned explosive at times quickly in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday. Business owners at the meeting expressed a lot of concern, saying the driveways were unsafe and hurting businesses. “It’s affecting our livelihoods, it’s affecting our families, it’s affecting our employees. We’re trying to make money,” said one owner. Another business owner told us they lost thousands of dollars because of bike lanes. Though those who support bike lanes want other solutions, like multiple paths to keep bike lanes, among other improvements. “Whatever we decide here can be consistent with the whole of Truman Way,” one cyclist said at the meeting. Both want the city to be prepared after not getting any answers about the number of accidents or traffic stops on Truman Road. “But when leadership doesn’t provide those details or there are other parts, like the shell of the suite, I mean, they’re not there to represent. So how do we draw conclusions and even feel like we’re listening?” Latino Arts Fund Council chief executive Deanna Munoz said. In the end, both cyclists and business owners want a safer Truman Road. “People have to go to work, and bikes are a great form of transportation, very affordable for people who can’t afford a car. The same thing has to be said for small businesses,” Munoz said. The city said this may be the last meeting to discuss bike lanes. It was unclear when any changes, if any, would be implemented.
What was supposed to be a question-and-answer session about bike lanes turned explosive at times quickly in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday.
Business owners at the meeting expressed a lot of concern, saying the driveways are unsafe and hurting businesses.
“It’s affecting our livelihoods, it’s affecting our families, it’s affecting our employees. We’re trying to make money,” said one business owner.
Another business owner told us they lost thousands of dollars because of bike lanes.
Though those who support bike lanes want other solutions, like multiple paths to keep bike lanes, among other improvements.
“Whatever we decide here can be consistent with the whole of Truman Way,” one cyclist said at the meeting.
Both parties want the city to prepare after not getting any answers about the accident number or the Truman Road traffic stop.
“Obviously, the implementation needs to be better, with more stakeholder involvement,” said Gail Bergman, who was cycling on the Truman Bike Path.
“But when leadership doesn’t provide those details or there are other parts, like the shell of the suite, I mean, they’re not there to represent. So how do we draw conclusions and even feel like we’re listening?” Latino Arts Fund Council chief executive Deanna Munoz said.
In the end, both cyclists and business owners want a safer Truman Road.
“People have to go to work, and bicycles are a great form of transportation, very affordable for people who can’t afford a car. The same thing applies to small businesses,” Munoz said.
The city said this may be the last meeting to discuss bike lanes.
It’s unclear when (if any changes) will be implemented.