Deadline Missed for New Bike Paths

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The City of Memphis passed up a chance to finally pave bike paths on city streets. One city councilman was shocked by the reason why.

City Council Chair Harold Collins said in order to become the city of choice, Memphis and its leaders must be forward thinking. So news of the city missing out on money because the clock was ticking, wasn't a good excuse, further delaying a project several years in the making.

Sarah Negri-Whitmer and her husband were taking a Gatorade break.

"We ride our bikes 2 or 3 times per week," Negri-Whitmer. "I don't think Memphis is a bike friendly city. There are very few bike able routes."

With cars racing down roads, the odds were against them.

"You have to be careful because you can get hurt or hurt somebody else."

And don't expect it to get better any time soon. Councilman Collins said the city recently missed out on millions of dollars, that could have been used to create bike lanes on city streets.

"I'm concerned that they ran out of time, and that was the reason we were given, so that means they need to work more efficiently, they need to better utilize time, and understand the requirements when filling out these documents," Collins said.

City Engineer Wayne Gaskins told the Memphis City Council he ran out of time filling out paperwork, so the federal funds can only be used to repave roads.

There will be no new lines drawn for bikers. This couple said the city needs to make good on their promise, dating back years.

"There's hope on one side and then there's sadness on the other because you look forward to having more of these spaces, you end up just being left hanging there," said Negri-Whitmer.

But Collins said Memphis hasn't missed the mark completely. The council is greasing the wheels for the next go round, to make sure Memphis doesn't miss out, down the road!

"Mr. Gaskins has ensured to the council, in the future, any federal dollars that we spent, that we receive, will have the necessary paperwork behind it, to ensure we get bike lanes," Collins assures Memphians.

"Well, I hope they do get on top of this and I hope they do put energy into developing this project because it will be a really good thing for the city," Negri-Whitmer said.

The Mayor is so serious about this initiative, he is hiring a Bikeway/Pedestrian Coordinator.

The position is jointly funded by the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization and the city.