On Sunday July 11th at 2PM the City of Plattsburgh hosted a Community Bike Ride event. The purpose of the ride was to gather public feedback on the newly proposed “Bike Friendly Plattsburgh” report created through the Community Development Office. Over 75 riders and attendees came to the event including members of the Saranac River Trail Group, Adirondack Cycling Club, Women on Wheels Club and owners of Maui North Ski and Bicycle.
Mayor Chris Rosenquest, who led the group from Melissa Penfield Park to Peter Blumette Park commented, "It was great to see so many enthusiastic bikers come out to support the community bike ride and to engage in the planning of a bike friendly Plattsburgh. With the clear range of age and ability of bikers, it speaks directly to the need to ensure biking infrastructure and the ability to safely bike through the 5.5sq. miles of our city is available. Of those who came, we had bikers who commute to work, bike for health, to get to school, and for tourism. This first step in creating this plan also needs to be coupled with education, community engagement, and to be contextualized in the grander scheme of creating a true multi-modal transportation plan for our city. This is the first step moving us in that direction."
Attendees were asked to complete a short survey to share their feedback on the plan (which can still be accessed on the City’s website under the Bike Friendly Plattsburgh section) as well as highlight roads and areas of the City on a large map to show where they bike most frequently.
The Community Development Office will be reviewing the feedback collected and making updates to the Bike Plan. Event attendees and all community members are encouraged to attend this week’s Common Council meeting at 5PM on Thursday July 15th to share their experience with the Council. A second community feedback session hosted by the Mayor and the Community Development office is scheduled for Thursday July 22 at 5PM at City Hall. The City will post updates on its website and Facebook page along with future community ride events.
