Regional planners want public input for bike and ped safety
Whether you walk, ride a bike, or drive the Coachella Valley Association of Governments wants your advice on how to make our roads safer.
CVAG is hosting public meeting about their Active Transportation Plan for the Coachella Valley.
The next two meetings are Tuesday March 31, at the Palm Springs City Hall Conference Room for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday April 1, at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments in Palm Desert from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“The more public input we get the better we can design bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure in the valley,” said Transportation Program Manager with CVAG, LeGrand Velez.
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Most people KESQ spoke to about this story say drivers need to pay more attention to the road.
“I think drivers need to be more aware, they might be on there cell phone or not paying attention in general,” said Alice Kahle who was walking to work in Palm Desert.
“When you’re a cyclist you are always seeing cyclists, but when you’re a driver who is just a typical driver, you might be on a road where you rarely see cyclists, so you’re not on the look out,” said Scott Mckelvey who works at Palm Desert Cyclery.
But the blames not just being pushed on those behind the wheel.
“I talk to full time residents who sometimes get annoyed because they ride like they are invincible. A bike is just a bike, you’re not invincible on it,” said Donna Lux of Indian Wells.
People we talked to said there are improvements that can be made to make roadways more safe.
“I know the cycling lanes are there but I don’t know if there’s a way to make them more visible,” said Bill Brechin of Palm Desert.
“A bike path which is separated from the roadway, that’s preferred, because it’s the greatest separation from traffic for pedestrians and cyclists,” said Velez.
The meetings are open to the public.
WHAT CHANGES DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE MADE TO KEEP CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS SAFE? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.