Not too long ago, a cyclist was killed a little more than a mile from my home. Although we had not been members of FLCC for very long, I thought FLCC could be the perfect organization to address the road conditions leading up to the event. A few FLCC members met with the local highway department and offered the cyclist's viewpoint.
Since that time, joined by Bike Walk Tompkins and the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, a regular dialogue began with government authorities. As we met and exchanged emails, our working group identified a series of roads which cyclists frequented and found wanting. As a result, Tompkins County Roads Department, which maintains the roads most FLCC members ride on, made paving and repairing these roads and shoulders a priority.
Even though the segment of Warren Road from Hanshaw Road to the Golf Course was not on their original budget, we have been pleased with their response. The shoulder before was crumbling, with a dangerous transition to the road surface.
After paving, riding on a now hard surfaced and widened pavement gave commuting cyclists to Cornell and points south, as well as pedestrians a much improved sense of safety and distance from the passing cars.
The FLCC Advocacy Committee seeks to improve the riding experience throughout the County through signage and making riding safe for everyone, and often works in coordination with Bike Walk Tompkins on advocacy and other joint efforts. We are always seeking members to expand our activities to include improving motorist's behavior around bikes on the road and promote cycling safety within our community. Email
Bill Shang if interested.
