It’s a way to make a busy street safer, but business owners say — new bike lanes are costing them money. Kansas City, Missouri City Council members approved plans for new bike lanes in April and began installation in October. It’s part of a five-year plan to make roads safer for everyone. But people who work along Truman Road say they’re bad for business. Store owners say adding bike lanes limits on-street parking options. Portia’s Café has been in business along Truman Road for over 37 years. The owners greet almost every customer by name. “We just love people and treat them the way we want to be treated and that’s pretty good,” said Portia Kilburn, one of the cafe’s owners. Lately, fewer and fewer people are entering the door. She said they’ve noticed a significant drop in business since the bike lanes were added. She said they make it difficult for her customers to find parking. “It’s really a break from work. It’s almost lunch time and you see there’s nobody here,” Kilburn said. “I just wish they’d take them out. I know. It’s very bad for business all the way up and down Truman Road.” Advocates like BikeWalkKC said they understand businesses’ concerns, but said Truman Road is one of the most dangerous streets in Kansas City. They said protected bike lanes are a tool to improve safety for everyone. In a statement, they said in part, “When implement improvements like protected bike lanes, there is, and should be, debate and discussion.” City representatives met with business owners and bike lane advocates Friday. The city said it is taking all feedback into consideration. They said their biggest concern security.
It’s a way to make a busy street safer, but business owners say — new bike lanes are costing them money.
Kansas City, Missouri City Council members approved plans for new bike lanes in April, and installation began in October. It’s part of a five-year plan to make roads safer for everyone.
But people who work along Truman Road say they’re bad for business. Store owners say adding bike lanes limits on-street parking options.
Portia’s Café has been in business along Truman Road for over 37 years. The owners greet almost every customer by name.
“We just love people and treat them the way we want to be treated and that’s pretty good,” said Portia Kilburn, one of the cafe’s owners.
Lately, fewer and fewer people are entering the door. She said they’ve noticed a significant drop in business since the bike lanes were added. She said that makes it harder for her customers to find parking.
“The business is really not right. It’s almost lunchtime and you see there’s nobody here,” Kilburn said. “I just wish they would remove them. I’m taking exception. It’s really bad for business all the way up Truman Road.”
Advocates like BikeWalkKC said they understand businesses’ concerns, but said Truman Road is one of the most dangerous streets in Kansas City. They said protected bike lanes are a tool to improve safety for everyone.
In a statement, they said in part: “When improvements like protected bike lanes are introduced, there is and should be discussion and debate.”
City representatives met with business owners and bike lane advocates on Friday. The city said it is taking all feedback into consideration. They said their biggest concern is safety.