KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — There’s been a change in plans for an immediate measure to protect bikers in Kalamazoo.
A proposal to require that motorists in Kalamazoo give cyclists three feet of room when they pass them from the rear has been altered to five feet, even though the city’s engineer says it will endanger motorists and there just isn’t enough room on some streets.
But Commissioners who proposed giving bikes a wider berth say motorists will just have to wait and be patient to get around slower bikes.
The change in the ordinance language delayed a planned vote for another two weeks. That’s when it will come before the commission for final adoption.
Kalamazoo City Commissioners have also adopted a resolution to pursue a “Complete Streets” policy through the Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 process, and will apply the general principals of the concept in the meantime.
Final approval of a completely fleshed out policy would come next spring after the public has had a chance to comment on the idea.
Complete Streets is viewed as a long term plan to make streets more accessible to everything from cyclists and pedestrians to heavy trucks, depending on the location and use of the street.
It will be slowly phased in as streets are repaired or replaced. Not a lot of that is taking place right now
