Downtown shift to be friendlier to pedal power is a good idea This is something a college town needs The H&N View We like the plan to make downtown Klamath Falls more user-friendly to bicycles. That’s within certain limits, of course, such as keeping bicycles on the streets rather the sidewalks and, when in those streets, following the same traffic laws as motor vehicles. Bicycles provide another way to move around a town that has extensive bike paths and bike trails, and plans for more. The recent push came from the 2014 Klamath Falls Cohort of the Ford Institute Leadership Program. At its website, the Institute says, “The program is based on the belief that vital rural communities develop from a broad base of knowledgeable, skilled and motivated leaders, a diversity of effective organizations, and productive collaborations among organizations.” This year, the group’s members chose as their project to put in two bicycle corrals, each holding 18 bikes, which are expected to be installed by the end of August. One will go in a parking area in front of the Daily Bagel at Seventh and Main Streets, and another in front of the Sky Lakes Wellness Center in Main Street’s 1100 block. Supporters believe the corrals will lessen the number of bicycles using sidewalks. We hope so, too, and we hope the area’s bike paths draw in bicyclists who like the idea of a 100-mile ride into Eastern Oregon that’s full of history along the OC&E Woods Line State Trail. The “OC&E” stands for the Oregon California & Eastern Railroad, which ran through the area. Increased bicycle use should be a good fit with Klamath Falls and probably any other college town. There’s always been a divide between most of Klamath Falls and Oregon Tech, primarily created by geography that first had OIT at the end of Old Fort Road. Later, when it was moved to its present location, it was still isolated. More bike use might increase the interaction between students and local residents. It’s pretty much an easy coast down the bike path to reach the downtown area. Of course, it’s uphill going back, but that’s where the exercise comes into play. Riders just need to keep telling themselves about its benefits as they chug up the bike path back to Oregon Tech. We hope the project flies. – The H&N View represents the opinion of the Herald and News Editorial Board. Its members are Publisher Heidi Wright, Editor Gerry O’Brien and Forum Editor Pat Bushey, who wrote today’s editorial. Community advisers to the editorial board are Tracey Liskey, Jeff Ball, Chip Massie and Ernie Palmer.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:46:16 +0000
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