Hoan Bridge Bike Lane: Walker and Barrett

A bike lane on Milwaukee's Hoan Bridge would be crazy. It's not safe.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Local blogger Dave Schlabowske prompted me to wonder this week where the gubernatorial candidates stand on the great Hoan Bridge bike lane question.

Schlabowske, the bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for Milwaukee, made a case for a plan rejected previously by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation: eliminate one of the three northbound traffic lanes and replace it with a bike lane, separated from traffic by a concrete barrier.

That idea has been somewhat dormant since 2002, despite the persistent advocacy by cyclists and some of the local elected officials who organized the Coalition to Save the Hoan Bridge in 2008.

The group’s main objective is to block any proposal to replace the Hoan with a smaller lift bridge. But the coalition’s leader, County Supervisor Patricia Jursik, also argues the bridge, in any variation, should be open to bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

Gov. Jim Doyle punted the major decisions about the future of the Hoan, including the addition of a bike lane, to his successor.

Scott Walker would keep cyclists grounded.

As county executive, the Republican candidate opposed construction of a bike lane on the bridge and maintains that position today.

“It’s not a safe place for a bike path,” he said.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the Democratic candidate, has been open to various alternatives for the Hoan, including a bike lane.

His campaign sent this response to the question: “Tom would be open to a discussion of the pros and cons of a Hoan Bridge bike lane. Safety and traffic flow issues, as well as if there would be demand for a lane, would have to be addressed.”

This issue illustrates the difference between Scott Walker's style of leadership and Tom Barrett's approach.

Tom Barrett's answer is typical liberal gobbledygook.

Scott Walker's response is clear.

A bike lane on the Hoan is a ridiculous idea. Period.

Not so in Barrett's world.

Let's redo the newly redone (and falling apart) Marquette Interchange to include a bike lane. Let's eliminate a traffic lane and make room for bikes. Yeah, that would help commuters deal with the congestion.

While we're at it, let's have a bike lane parallel to the high-speed train track. However, once a cyclist was on the bike path, he or she could only stop at designated points along the way. No getting on and off at will.

Great ideas. Really great.