A two-hour meeting Wednesday night of the Webb Park Civic Association got heated at times, as residents of the neighborhood expressed differing views over two bike lanes that have recently become the source of controversy. But the president of the association says the forum was productive and was an opportunity to educate those on both sides of the issue about the source of the dispute and possible compromises.
“No decision was made but everyone had an opportunity to speak and share their views,” says Blake May, president of the Webb Park Civic Association. “It was an informational meeting and hopefully we can now work towards a resolution.”
At issue are two dedicated bike lanes on Glenmore and Hundred Oaks avenues. The lanes have been in place for nine years but in August, a group of avid cyclists complained to the Baton Rouge Police Department about the growing number of vehicles parked in the lanes. The law enforcement agency responded by issuing several parking tickets. That inflamed residents of Glenmore and Hundred Oaks, many of whom say they never knew they couldn’t park in front of their homes.
Since then, a petition has circulated calling for the removal of the bike lanes. But at Wednesday night’s meeting, several residents who signed the petition said they didn’t realize what they were signing.
“At least four people got up and said they support the bike lanes and don’t want to do away with them,” says Metro Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle, who represents the district and attended the meeting. “They just want to be able to park in front of their house. So that is the issue.”
The association has asked Marcelle to set up a meeting in the next two weeks with the Center for Planning Excellence and the Department of Transportation and Drainage—one of six new departments created with the recent reorganization of the Department of Public Works—to begin exploring possible solutions.
“I think they all realize they have to come to a consensus,” Marcelle says. “The question is what is the consensus?”
—Stephanie Riegel
