Actions

Kenton County updating bicycle and pedestrian plan

Kenton County updating bicycle and pedestrian plan
Posted at 4:30 AM, May 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-21 04:30:39-04

COVINGTON, Ky. -- Kenton County cyclist Josh Hatton is used to sharing the road, but biking on local streets has its challenges.

"I think people would treat me differently if they viewed me as another vehicle on the road, and not just another someone on a bike," he said.

But Hatton is pleased Kenton County officials are working on a plan. The Kenton Connects Advisory Committee just unveiled a draft of its bicycle and pedestrian plan. It's an update to a plan dating back almost 20 years, according to principal planner Chris Schneider.

The draft plan recommends changes like dedicated bike lanes, better bike signage and added safety.

A study found hot spots for crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.

"In the City of Covington along Fifth and Madison. It's an urban area. A lot of pedestrians and a lot of cyclists in those areas," Schneider said.

Some of the trails in Kenton County are in need of work. And cyclists say they're not very well connected.

"It makes them way more useful to have interconnected trails than to have just pieces and parts," Jason Reser said. 

Reser is a Park Hills council member and the owner of a bike shop in Newport.

"We're starting to see what's already been done and what we can now do and apply in Northern Kentucky to bring out more people for exercise and active transportation," he said.

A public meeting was held on the plan last week. The next one is scheduled for August.