Back in 2010, the city of Olathe, Kansas added some very nice bike lanes to 127th Street, between Mur-Len Road and Black Bob Road, with another mile of bike lanes, between Black Bob Road and Pflumm Road, due to be built in 2014.

The good news is, the schedule has been accelerated, with work on the project for the next mile slated to begin this year.

The bad news is, Olathe has dropped the bike lanes from the design. Sort of.

The new design calls for a “shoulder” to be striped along each side of the roadway, with 2 feet of pavement to the right of the outer stripe, along with a foot-and-a-half of gutter pan.

That leaves the gutter seam — the joint between the roadway surface and the concrete curb — almost exactly in the center of the shoulder.

This shoulder area does not meet national standards for bike lanes, and Olathe is not planning to designate the area as a bike lane, through either on-pavement symbols, or signage.

But the implication is pretty clear: That’s where bicyclists will be expected to ride.

You can bet that if cyclists rightly avoid this hazardous area, and ride in the shared-traffic lane, that someone will come along and yell “Get in the bike lane!”

If it looks like a bike lane, motorists are going to expect bicyclists to ride there, regardless of whether or not it’s an “official” bike lane…

How Bad Can It Be?

Olathe promises to maintain the gutter seam so that it does not deteriorate and become a hazard, but I thought it would be enlightening to see how the city has maintained other gutter seams on its streets:

This lovely gutter seam is on (ironically) 127th Street, in the exact same area where the new roadway will be constructed.

Would you feel comfortable riding your bicycle inches from this gutter seam? Do you consider this safe?

This is an example of how Olathe currently maintains its streets — should we expect better on the new roadway?

These examples are from Ridgeview Road in Olathe. It is in a designated bike lane, and over time the gutter seam has deteriorated and become hazardous. Olathe has attempted to patch the holes, without much success. But, since the bike lane is at least 4 feet in width beyond the gutter seam, it’s not nearly the danger it would be if the “bike lane” were only 2 feet wide.

However, if Olathe takes this level of care in existing bike lane gutter seams, why should we expect the new “bike lanes” to be any better maintained?

And finally, here’s another example of a gutter seam in a designated bike lane, this one on 143rd Street in Olathe.

The widening crack is a perfect wheel-catcher. Surprised no one has been injured yet.

Why Is This Important?

127th Street is one of the few east-west arterial roads in the area that are still reasonably bike-friendly. 111th, 119th, 135th, and 151st are high-speed roads that carry heavy traffic. 143rd is the nearest road with bike lanes along part of its length, but that is two miles away, a long detour for bicycle commuters to be forced to take every day.

127th Street already has bike lanes on most of its length in Olathe, and when the new 127th Street bridge over I-35 opened a few years ago, the city made a big show of its bicycle-friendly features. And cyclists have responded, making 127th Street a well-used east-west bike route, at least as far as BlackBob Road, where it becomes a less-friendly two-lane road.

This mile of road between BlackBob and Pflumm could become another popular bike route, connecting to hundreds of homes, as well as to Olathe East High School, and beyond that, to the University of Kansas Edwards Campus.

Dropping the bike lanes on this new section of road way will either push cyclists onto more-dangerous sidepaths, or convince them to leave their bikes at home and take their cars, to contribute to ever-worsening congestion, noise pollution, and air pollution.

What Can Be Done?

Full, standard-width bike lanes had been promised to the public when the city presented the project to the community several years ago. Now they’ve reneged on that promise, and their attempted compromise has created a potentially dangerous situation.

BikeWalkKC has taken up the cause, and they have a page on their site, Support Bike Lanes on 127th Street, where you can compose an email message to Olathe officials.

There is also an Olathe Complete Streets Forum coming up on February 6th, 6:30pm at the Olathe Public Library, 12990 S. Black Bob Rd.:

Would you like safer and more accessible places to walk and bicycle in Olathe?How about more options for getting to work, school, church, or the store? If you live, work, or play in Olathe, please join us for an open discussion about making the city even better for walking and bicycling.

This is a great opportunity to not only tell the city how important Complete Streets are to you, but how you feel about the proposed design of 127th Street, why real bike lanes are needed, and why the currently design is not only inadequate, but dangerous for cyclists.

You can learn more about the 127th Street Project at improve127th.com and the City of Olathe.

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The tour leaves Tribune, near the Colorado border, on Saturday, June 9th, and arrives in Elwood, on the Missouri River, on June 16th.

The route covers about 475 miles, with overnights in Sharon Springs, Oakley, Hoxie, Logan, Downs, Clyde, Centralia, and Troy.

Prices for the Biking Across Kansas tour have gone up a bit this year, with the full adult tour now costing $175 for indoor lodging and $155 for tenting (up from $165/$145 last year), and other age groups going up by similar amounts. The single-day cost is now $32 (up from $30). Despite the increases, BAK is still one of the very best values in the nation.

Learn more at the Biking Across Kansas web site.

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Katy Trail Extension To KCMO Being Built

The KC Star (1-13-12) reports that 3.2 miles of the Katy Trail extension trail called the Rock Island Trail being built to the Kansas City Metro Area is now complete. The trail will run from Pleasant Hill to Windsor where it connects with the famous Katy Trail. The trail is being railbanked under the National Trails Act and will be constructed on the railroad bed instead of within the right-of-way as originally planned. This will reduce costs by about 50 percent because new bridges won’t have to be constructed. It is estimated that it will take three years to complete the Rock Island Trail to Pleasant Hill. Then efforts can begin to extend it to Lee’s Summit. Eventually it will connect with the MetroGreen trail network so that trail users will be able to ride all the way from Kansas City to St. Louis.

Iola Trail Segment On Track

Chris Weiner, resident of Iola and on the SRTC board, reports that due to the warm winter, the City of Iola has been able to start construction on the 1.5-mile Prairie Spirit Trail Extension segment lying within the city limits. Concrete is being poured for the base and asphalt will be laid on top. If the good weather holds, it should be finished by the end of March. Otherwise it will be completed by the end of May. Thrive Allen County has applied for two grants to build the remaining portion of the Prairie Spirit Trail Extension (6.5 miles)l south to Humboldt.

Trails For Scenic Byways

Becky Pepper, KDOT’s bike-ped coordinator, reports that KDOT has applied for a federal grant to prepare a plan for building multi-use paths along official Kansas Scenic Byways. If the grant is received and funds become available for pathway development, some of these paths could possibly connect rail-trails. One example is the Prairie Trail Byway which could connect the Meadowlark Trail in Lindsborg with the undeveloped Quivira Trail which stretches 38 miles between Lyons and Beaver. Also, a path could be built along the Flint Hills Scenic Byway from the Flint Hills Nature Trail to the Tallgrass National Prairie Preserve. See: www.ksbyways.org

Transportation Enhancement Funds Available Again

Becky Pepper, KDOT’s bike-ped coordinator, reports that KDOT has decided that federal funding is now secure for another round of TE grants. The grant application deadline will probably be in either the summer or fall, 2012. Many Kansas cities and towns such as Topeka, Lawrence, Iola and Lindsborg, have used TE funds to be build rail-trails and other multi-use paths.

National Recreation Trail Program Funds Now Available

Mary Hanson, outdoor recreation planner for the Omaha regional office of the National Park Service, reports that there isn’t a Kansas state-imposed moratorium currently in place on using federal National Recreational Trail and Land and Water Conservation Fund Program funds for rails-to-trails projects. A state moratorium was imposed in the 1990s, but apparently has been lifted. Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism administers the funds.

Kanza Receives $18,000 Grant

Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy has announced that it has received an $18,000 grant from the Lattner Family Foundation based in Delray Beach, Florida to build a section of the Landon Nature Trail which stretches 38 miles between Topeka and Pomona Lake. “We are very excited about this generous grant from the Lattner Family Foundation,” offered Karl Umscheid, Overbrook Superintendent.

“We hope to start construction in the spring. Once this segment between Overbrook and Wolf Creek is completed we expect that the community of Overbrook will rally behind our efforts to complete the trail to Pomona Lake.”

The Landon Nature Trail crosses the Santa Fe National Historic Trail at Overbrook where trail swales (ruts) can be seen in the nearby cemetery. It is hoped a short side trail can be built to the swales and a community park which contains a lake.

Landon Trail In Topeka Progresses

The City of Topeka has completed the Landon Nature Trail in Topeka to 45th St. The trail crosses the Union Ferry Branch of the Oregon National Historic Trail north of SE 42nd St. A sign announcing this historic crossing could be placed on the Landon Trail. The next phase is from 45th to Sanneman Drive where KRTC’s section begins and is essentially completed to the Clinton Wildlife Area. The City of Topeka leases 4.6 miles from the Conservancy.

Kansas Trail News is published by Clark H. Coan, Public Information Specialist for Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc., P.O. Box 44-2043, Lawrence, KS 66044, 785-842-3458. Reprinted with permission. If you have any trail news you’d like to share, please contact us.

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• 3-Foot Passing: It’s The Law in Kansas — On April 1st, the Kansas House and Senate approved a bill that requires motorists to pass bicyclists at a distance of not less than three feet. The bill also contained a provision that allows vehicle drivers to pass a bicycle in a no-passing zone if it is safe to do so. In addition, the bill contained a so-called “dead red” provision, which allows bicyclists (and motorcyclists) to bypass a malfunctioning traffic control signal (i.e. a red last that won’t detect their presence) after stopping and waiting for “a reasonable period of time”. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed the legislation, and it went into effect July 1st.

• The De Soto Bike Ban is History — In September, the De Soto city council voted to repeal the prohibition against non-motorized vehicles on 83rd Street east of the city, ending a painful and embarrassing episode in Kansas bicycling history. A month later, the council listened to testimonials from citizen who wanted the bike ban reinstated, citing safety concerns. Fortunately, sanity prevailed, and the council voted to keep 83rd Street open to bicycles.

• At least three Kansas cyclists lost their lives while bicycling this year:

  • In June, 8-year-old Makiya Ritthaler was killed by a truck in Halstead.
  • In July, Larry Godfrey of Arkansas City suffered from a possible heat stroke and died while bicycling on a rural road in Cowley County.
  • In September, Patti Gilliam from New Strawn was struck by lightning while riding her bicycle across John Redmond Reservoir Dam, and died a few days later from her injuries.

• Remembering Kansas Bicycling Advocates:

  • In February, Ken Cobb, president of the Johnson County Bicycle Club and a passionate and tireless advocate for cycling, passed away in his sleep.
  • In April, longtime bicycling advocate Cecile Kellenbarger passed away in Wichita. Cecile was active in the leadership of a number of organizations, including KanBikeWalk, the Oz Bicycle Club, Sunflower Recreational Trails, and Prairie Travelers.

• Justice (or lack thereof):

  • A Cyclist’s Killer is Convicted in Topeka — Marc Schultz, a Topeka lawyer, who struck and killed Tim Roberts with his car in Topeka in September 2010, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence, and of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death. He was sentenced to more than five years in prison.
  • Driver Convicted of Reckless Aggravated Battery in Lawrence — Scott Young, who assaulted a group of bicyclists in a road rage incident near Lawrence in July 2010, hitting one of them, was convicted of reckless aggravated battery by a jury in Douglas County. He was sentenced to 14 night in jail (free for work during the days) and 18 months on probation.
  • Randy Ledbetter, of Perry, was convicted in September of driving under the influence when his SUV struck a bicycle ridden by 40-year-old Michael Anthony Ebron on Highway 24 near Topeka, in 2009. Ledbetter was sentenced to 32 days (7 days in custody and 25 days under house arrest).

• Kansas Slips to #23 in Bike Friendly States Ranking — Kansas dropped from #13 to #23 in the annual state rankings from the League of American Bicyclists.

Have I missed any big stories? Please post in the comments!

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Here are some of my photos from Fall 2011:

Autumnal equinox sunset.

The crunch of fallen leaves beneath bicycle tires is one of the tactile pleasures of autumn…

Fiery Fall Colors

This photo was taken on the Flint Hills Nature Trail near Rantoul, with members of the Miami County Velo Cycling Club on their annual Fall Trail Ride.

Hedge apples and hay bales…

A beautiful old cottonwood at Hyde Park in Kansas City.

Touring the scenic back roads of Linn County, Kansas by bicycle.

Early morning autumn light.

Spent a pleasant Saturday afternoon exploring Kansas City. This scene was from one of the paths surrounding the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

An old one-room schoolhouse in Miami County, Kansas.

This photo is from the mountain bike trails at Kill Creek Park near De Soto, Kansas. I wasn’t on the right bike for singletrack, but it was still fun on a lovely fall day.

Along Lamar Avenue in Overland Park, Kansas.

If you have some photos you’d like to share, please link to them (on Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, or the like) in the comments!

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Derby’s Outstanding Trail Network

Family Circle magazine named Derby in 2007 as one of the Top 10 places to rear a family. With almost 20 miles of hike and bike paths that connect parks, schools, a recreation center, eating establishments and shopping, Derby is a fun place for recreation. BeHealthyDerby.com

Landon Trail Update

John Purvis, Landon Trail Superintendent, reports the current status of the Landon Trail project: Beginning at 15th & Monroe or in front of the Brown V. Board of Education National Historic Site to SE 45th Street is open with concrete path. (4.5 MILES) SE 45th to 51St street is under construction. Latest information has the City finishing this short stretch by the spring. (.5 MILES) 51st Street to SE. 77th& Croco – Open with screenings. (5 MILES) Croco to 89th Street open with bladed surface. (3 MILES) 89th to Boundary of Clinton Lake Wildlife Area. Ready to open December 2011 with bladed surface. (1 MILE). West boundary of Clinton Lake Wildlife Area to Osage County Line, including across the Clinton Lake Wildlife Area only needs 3 bridges with handrailings installed. (bridge decks are all concreted). Open to Osage County Line this spring 2012. Approximately 16+ miles. Total

Ottawa Opens New Recreation Center

”Ottawa Recreation Commission held a grand opening Sept. 24 for its new 25,000 square-foot center. The $2.75 million facility—called the Goppert building—includes a gym with retractable basketball goals, a volleyball system, a multi-purpose room with kitchen, a three-lane elevated walking/jogging track, cardio workout area, open mezzanine space for social or group activities along a lobby and administrative offices. The building was constructed on five acres that were donated by USD 290 and is within walking distance of the high school and middle school. Ottawa Recreation Commission, USD 290 and others, including the Sunflower Foundation, partnered to also build a trail that connects the schools with the recreation center. The facility is the first free community recreation center open to the public in Ottawa and use will be shared with USD 290 and Ottawa University.”

Source: KRPA TODAY, Fall 2011

Flint Hills Discovery Center Nearing Completion

”The Flint Hills Discovery Center, a 35,000 square feet facility that celebrates the geology, biology and cultural history of the Flint Hills of Kansas, is scheduled to be opened in April, 2012. The facility, under the direction of the Manhattan Parks and Recreation, will include over 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, an “immersive” multi-media experience, classrooms, gardens café and store. The building is located at the arrival gateway to downtown Manhattan and is the centerpiece to downtown growth and redevelopment that includes several new hotels and a conference center.”

“The building is made of local limestone, layered in striated patterns that are reminiscent of the hills themselves. The stone façade is complimented by a glass cylinder lobby tower, with interior balcony that overlooks the second and third floors. Visitors will be greeted with an overview of the Flint Hills story that begins with the formation of the hills from fossilized organisms of an inland sea some 250 million years ago. For additional information visit flinthillsdiscovery.org.

Source: KRPA TODAY, Fall 2011

Of course, nearby is the 8,600-acre Konza Prairie with its network of hiking trails where visitors can actually explore the Flint Hills. See: keep.konza.ksu.edu

Buffalo Bill Center Under Way?

The status of the Buffalo Bill Visitor/Cultural Center project near Oakley is not known. KDOT approved in 2010 a federal Transportation Enhancements s grant to build the center. That is where William Cody had a contest with another buffalo hunter to claim the moniker “Buffalo Bill”. Cody shot 69 and Bill Comstock shot 46 in one day. Cody killed buffalo for food and not hides. He was paid to obtain buffalo meat for railroad crews and the cavalry.
Perhaps, Abilene should obtain a grant to build a visitor/cultural center for Wild Bill Hickok. He was actually a more important and famous Old West figure than Buffalo Bill.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center Wows Visitors

“The Kansas Wetlands Education Center recently opened in the Cheyenne Bottoms with a nature trail, family-friendly hands-on exhibits and classroom programs. Admission is free. On-site naturalists can direct you to that day’s birding hot spots. “ Source: Kansas Official Visitors Guide 2011-2012

Crystal Bridges Museum Of American Art Opens In Ozarks

The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art just opened in Bentonville, Ark. in the Ozark Mountains. Built by billionaire Alice Walton a trail connects the museum with the town square. Below is taken from the website:

The trails and grounds of Crystal Bridges will be a must-see part of the Museum experience. More than 3.5 miles of trails are planned to wind among the streams, ponds, wetlands, native plants, and sculpture on the Museum’s 120-acre site. Designed to spark the imagination, the trails will help guests form connections to the land and its history, as well as learn about art and Arkansas plant life.

For more information see: crystalbridges.org

Trans Canada Trail To Open In 2017

”Everything about the Trans Canada Trail is huge. At 16,5000 kilometers (9,900 miles), it is already the world’s longest trail. When completed in 2017, the corridor will stretch 22,500 kilometers (13,500 miles), from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and from the United States border to the Arctic Ocean. More than 400 local trails compose the overall pathway, which links more than 1,000 communities. (Many of the trails are rail-trails)…When completed, TCT will be within a half-hour’s drive for 34 million Canadians…Finishing the trail, however, will cost about $40 million because much of the remaining work is through the Rocky Mountains.”

–Rails-to-Trails Magazine, Winter 2011

Kansas Trail News is published by Clark H. Coan, Public Information Specialist for Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc., P.O. Box 44-2043, Lawrence, KS 66044, 785-842-3458. Reprinted with permission. If you have any trail news you’d like to share, please contact us.

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Kaw River State Park In Topeka

The Kaw River State Park in Topeka is now one year old. It is the only urban state park and though it is relatively small at 76 acres, it provides a near-wilderness experience. The park is located just west of Cedar Crest, the governor’s mansion. The Kansas Trails Council has built a wonderful trail network for hiking and mountain biking along side a steep oak-hickory forest hillside. A boat ramp allows boaters to access the Kaw River. For more information, check out the brochure.

“Pedal Power Tour” At Marquette This Weekend

The following is taken from a brochure:

The Marquette Chamber of Commerce and Harley’s Bicycles of Hutchinson is sponsoring:

“The Pedal Power Tour” in conjunction with “Autumn in the Valley”. Saturday October 15, 2011 at 2:00 PM.

Cost: $20 per person day of ride. $15 if pre-registered by October 8th. Family (3 or more) $15 per person.

To pre-register send entry fee to Dennis Swisher PO Box 172, Marquette, KS 67464. Make checks payable to the Marquette Chamber of Commerce.

Registration day of ride: starts at 1:00 PM in downtown Marquette, KS.

“The Pedal Power Tour” begins at 2:00 PM. Miles: 10 or 33 miles.

The Family ride “Out & Back” is a 10-mile flat ride. The “Full ride” is a 33-mile loop through mostly flat terrain with some rolling hills.

Safety: Helmets are advised but not required. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. SAG Stops will be provided. T-shirts: will be made onsite day of the ride.

Contacts: Dennis Swisher 785-546-2757 or email dgswisher@yahoo.com; Steve Piper 785-546-2271 or email piperfoods@ks-usa.net; Marquette City Office email Marquette@KS-usa.net

Kanza’s Fall 2011 Newsletter

Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy’s Fall 2011 newsletter is available here.

Kansas Trail News is published by Clark H. Coan, Public Information Specialist for Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc., P.O. Box 44-2043, Lawrence, KS 66044, 785-842-3458. Reprinted with permission. If you have any trail news you’d like to share, please contact us.

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Trails For Good Health

Obesity is soaring among children which is causing a variety of health problems early in life. Trails promote good health because they entice children to exercise for health. Traveling on a trail becomes an adventure for children because they don’t know what they will encounter around the next bend. This gives them a sense of adventure and exploration. Meanwhile, they get plenty of exercise outside in the great outdoors. The new slogan is: “No Child Left Behind”.

Motel Provides Bikes For Guests

The Holiday Inn Express in south Lawrence provides bicycles for guests to ride on the adjacent SLT Hike and Bike Path. The path goes west to Clinton Lake where there are mt. biking and hiking trails.

KC Rally Calls For More Bike Trails

From the KC Star (9-24-11):

Kansas City rally calls for more bike trails and sidewalks
By KAREN DILLON
The Kansas City Star

Promoters of sidewalks, bike lanes and clean air carried their message on foot and bicycle from Union Station to City Hall on Saturday.

At the end of their jaunt, more than 40 people gathered on the steps of City Hall to petition the government to increase the number of bicycle trails and sidewalks as part of the Get Moving Kansas City rally.

They were greeted by four council members — Jan Marcason, Jim Glover, Scott Taylor and Scott Wagner — plus Jackson County Legislator Scott Burnett and a representative of U.S. House member Emanuel Cleaver.

“Kansas City is one of the most sprawled out cities in the country,” grassroots activist John Kurmann told the crowd, and that means more driving time per person and more pollution.

Get Moving Kansas City was part of climate rallies around the globe Saturday, with thousands of people calling for climate change solutions.

In July 2008, the City Council passed a resolution to implement Kansas City’s climate change plan, Kurmann said. That plan included fixing sidewalks and building bike trails. But the plan was mostly shelved after the market crash later that year.

“We need to be proactive now instead of waiting for a major crisis,” Kurmann said. “We need to move beyond fossil fuels.”

The group’s proposal includes:

• Dedicating 1 percent for biking and 2 percent for walking in the transportation infrastructure budget.
• Building at least 25 miles of new bike lanes per year. In addition, the BikeKC Plan should be fully developed, and proposed routes should be published on the Internet for public comment.
• Implementing the city’s “Livable Streets” policy in the next five years in important pedestrian areas such as the River Market, downtown, Westport and the Plaza.

“Our heart is with you,” Marcason said. “It makes triple bottom-line sense.”

The council members agreed that the proposals are worthy and said sidewalks are essential because many people in the inner city, especially on the East Side, don’t have cars.

Taylor said another reason to build new sidewalks and trails is to attract families.

“We are in competition with other communities that do have trails and sidewalks,” Taylor said. “These goals are a way to start the process.”

Editor’s Note: The MetroGreen Plan which calls for building a network of interconnected trails was announced with great fanfare 20 years ago. Much has been done, but much still has to be accomplished to fulfill the vision.

Sunflower To Hold Annual Meeting Oct. 29

Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 29, in beautiful downtown Cottonwood Falls, located in the heart of the scenic Flint Hills. The meeting will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the historic Grand Central Hotel. Participants will order lunch at 12:00 noon. A key topic will be the status of the six railbanking initiatives. The meeting will end at 2:00 p.m., followed by a field trip to the trails at the nearby Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. All trails enthusiasts are invited to attend. Come join in the fun!

Kanza To Hold Annual Meeting

Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy will be holding its Annual Meeting on Saturday, November 5 in the Osage County Senior Center in Osage City (604 Market Street). All trails enthusiasts are invited to attend. A reception will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a light lunch buffet at 11:30. The meeting will follow the lunch.

Falun Classic & Marquette Mini Bicycle Rides Oct. 9

The Falun Classic and Marquette Mini Bicycle Rides will be held October 9 in Lindsborg. The rides begin at 1:30 pm at Swensson Park in Lindsborg. They will end with a cookout in Swensson Park. The Falun Classic is a fun, 32-mile ride on blacktop. The Marquette Mini is a relaxed, 25-mile ride on blacktop with a sag stop in downtown Marquette. For more information: cybdir@lindsborgcity.org or Falunclassic@gmail.com

Kansas Trail News is published by Clark H. Coan, Public Information Specialist for Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc., P.O. Box 44-2043, Lawrence, KS 66044, 785-842-3458. Reprinted with permission. If you have any trail news you’d like to share, please contact us.

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
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According to the Emporia Gazette:

Patti Gilliam, a Spanish teacher at the high school for five years, died Wednesday at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka. A resident of New Strawn, Gilliam was struck by lightning Saturday evening as she was riding her bicycle across John Redmond Dam. Emergency personnel transported her to Coffey County Hospital, and she was transferred to Topeka.

“She’s a dearly loved teacher by the students, the staff, the parents, everyone,” said Principal Scott Sheldon. “Losing Patti, it’s just very hard for everybody on so many different levels. She was just a very special person, and it’s devastating.” [read more]

From KWCH 12 Eyewitness News:

The Sheriff’s office says on September 10th Gilliam was riding her bike on top of the John Redmond Reservoir Dam when the weather turned bad.

Police say Gilliam turned around and was heading home when she was hit by lightning. She was by herself but other people around saw what happened and called 911. Emergency crews say they were called at 6:21 p.m.

The Coffey County Undersheriff said it was a “freak storm” and that there were no warnings. Gilliam was taken to the Coffey County Hospital and then taken to Topeka. [read more]

The Associated Press reports that “The sheriff’s department says thundershowers were some distance away at the time Gilliam was hit.”

Funeral plans for Gilliam have not yet been set. She leaves behind a husband, two adult children and several grandchildren. Extra counseling services have been made available at the school for students and staff members who may need help dealing with the loss.

Condolences to family, friends, staff and students at Emporia High School.

Photo courtesy Emporia Public Schools.

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Here is the text of the ordinance, as approved by the council on September 15th, 2011:

ORDINANCE NO. ___

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 14-209 OF CHAPTER XIV OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF DE SOTO, KANSAS TO REPEAL THE PROHIBITION AGAINST NON-MOTORIZED VEHICLES USING 83rd STREET FROM KILL CREEK ROAD TO THE EASTERN BOUNDARY OF THE CITY

WHEREAS, the Governing Body finds and determines that, despite a previous Governing Body’s conclusion that use of the portion of 83rd Street from Kill Creek Road to the City’s eastern boundary is unsafe for non-motorized vehicle traflic, including bicycles, and passage of a prohibition against such use, there remain bicycle riders who desire to ride on such street. and do, in fact, ride on the street: and

WHEREAS, the Governing Body finds and determines that enforcement of the prohibition against non-motorized vehicles using 83rd Street from Kill Creek Road to the City’s eastern boundary has been difficult and does not appear to have been heeded by many bicycle riders; and

WHEREAS, the Governing Body believes it is appropriate to allow users of non-motorized vehicles, who desire to ride on 83rd Street from Kill Creek Road to the City’s eastern boundary, to make their own decision on whether to use said street.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY
OF DE SOTO, KANSAS:

SECTION 1: Section 14-209 of Chapter XIV of the City Code is hereby repealed.

SECTION 2: Ordinance No. 1072, and any amendments thereto, are hereby
repealed.

SECTION 3: This Ordinance shall become effective after its passage, approval and
publication once in the City’s official paper.

An alternate ordinance, which would have restricted bicycles to the right-most three feet of pavement, required that bicycles remain single-file, was not enacted.

City Council President Rick Walker, along with Council Members Randy Johnson, John Krudwig, and Lori Murdock voted to lift the ban. Council Member Ron McDaniel voted to retain the ban.

Members of the public, including Johnson County Bicycle Club former President Mark Scrivner, JCBC Advocacy Chair Doug Polson, KanBikeWalk president Dale Crawford, Randy Rasa of Kansas Cyclist, and former council member Mitra Templin, spoke in favor of the ordinance.

One former Council Member (sorry, didn’t catch his name), who was part of the council when the ban was originally enacted, spoke against the ordinance.

The council did not discuss the logistics of removing the “Non Motorized Vehicles Prohibited” signage, but presumably this will be carried out by the city’s public works department,

Not sure when the ordinance will be published, which is the final step to making it official…

Background on the issue here.

Congratulations and thanks to all who worked for so long (over 10 years!) to repeal the De Soto Bike Ban.

If you’re a local citizen, or appreciative of the council’s vote, a quick note of thanks to the council members would be appropriate. Their email addresses can be found at desotoks.us.

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