HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-26 Public Comment - A. Tappan - Bike Paths in BozemanFrom:Ann Tappan
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]City Commision Meeting agenda
Date:Monday, April 27, 2026 8:28:58 PM
Attachments:City Commision Meeting agenda.msg
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RE: Bike Paths in Bozeman
I grew up riding a bike as a means of transportation around my
hometown. In 1998 I bought a business in Manhattan MT and I
commuted to work on a bike. I moved to Bozeman in 2024 and expected to ride around town much more to commute to errands,
appointments, etc. However, it’s not a very safe activity. I realized
that most bike paths are separated from cars with only a white
line. Also, there no clear signs showing how to cross the
intersections. Lots of bikers and scooters become freestylers,
reckless, and hazards to all traffic due to the lack of clarity of law
enforcement.
Bozeman did a great job creating bike paths giving us the look of
a bike friendly town. A white line is one solution which is
hazardous to bicyclists. Cars and bikes should be physically separated whenever possible.
The Bozeman Chronicle, in an August 15, 2025 article about the
Fowler expansion, mentioned that people have complained about
bike and pedestrian mixed-use paths. That problem can be solved by extending the width of the paths and making them elevated or
physically separated from car lanes whenever possible.
For example, the right of way reserved for Ferguson Av between
Huffine and Durston seems to be over 100 feet wide. Car lanes and 2 bike paths together occupy about 43 feet total. The rest of
the land is used for lawn and 2 sidewalks. I don’t see why bikes
should share the road with cars in that situation. If you double the
width of the sidewalks they can be used as pedestrian/bike
mixed-use paths, separated from cars. Catamount is another example of poor planning. Cars must cross
over the bike paths to park on the street between Davis and E.
Valley Center. There is plenty of lawn for a bike path.
Not all two wheeled vehicles are the same. E-bikes driving at
speeds up to 35 mph should be classified as motorbikes and be
licensed and insured. It doesn’t make any difference to an injured
pedestrian if they are hit by a gas or electric powered vehicle.
Changes like this will cost money. I suggest that there should be a license fee for bikes, e-bikes and scooters. This would help offset
the cost of safe mixed-use paths for pedestrians and bikes. The
separation of bikes and cars would benefit both riders and drivers.
I have a long list of less expensive improvements which I would
gladly supply to the Town,
I hope Bozeman will become a real bike friendly city, not a pretend one.
Nick Schmutz
3155 Oliver St Bozeman 59718
406-539-1986