Group pushes for better, prettier streets

Melinda Barnes, the executive director of Bike Walk Montana, an organization that urges governments to accept resolutions or ordinances that keep in mind the safety of bikers and appearances of towns, gave a presentation at the Havre City Council meeting Monday.

Barnes maintained at the meeting that there is a large push in the nation for people who choose to use alternate modes of transportation than personal vehicles.

“Nearly one-third of our population does not drive,” Barnes said. The number is from a national survey. The younger generations are choosing not to drive, Barnes said, and many of them are choosing communities where they don’t have to.

“People will walk if they have the facilities to do so and if it’s safe,” Barnes said. “Within a mile destination, 46 percent of all trips could be taken by walking — whether that’s to school, whether it’s to work or to run errands, that’s a big number. Think about the size of Havre and how easy that would be and what an opportunity you have to really encourage and enable more people to walk.”

A goal of Bike Walk Montana is to create streets with safe sidewalks and means for cyclists to travel. As cities work on streets, if they had a resolution or ordinance in place, they are more likely to keep aesthetics and nonvehicle street safety in mind as they construct.

An ordinance must be considered and followed unless it cannot be implemented. A resolution is more of a guideline and is more likely to fall into the cracks and be ignored.

“We need to improve transportation for people, not just cars,” Barnes said.

Ten cities and one county have accepted a similar resolution to improve their streets.

Missoula is listed as one of the 10 best cities in America as far as being bike-friendly, according to Travel Channel.

Ward 4 Councilman Andrew Brekke said the opinion of the community in city planning is important and urges everyone to attend the ordinance meeting Aug. 17 at 6 p.m.