Downtown Albuquerque now has more bike lanes equipped with extra safety features.
City Councilor Joaquín Baca, officials from Strong Towns ABQ, BikeABQ and neighborhood associations celebrated the newly restripped bike lanes along Central Avenue from 1st Street to 8th Street during a ribbon cutting event on Sunday.
The lanes have new lane buffers, signs and traffic cones. According to a news release, the additions are part of Baca’s efforts to revitalize the Downtown area.
“This project is about more than just painting lines on the road,” Baca said in the release. “It’s about creating a safer, more accessible downtown for everyone. These bike lanes will improve the experience for cyclists and pedestrians and maintain vital parking and access for our local businesses and establishments.”
The project links west and east Downtown with the city’s Rail Trail project — a 7-mile multi-use trail that will connect the city’s historic destinations. Last month, the City Council voted to shift funding from the Rail Trail to another project, but changed their minds during a March 3 meeting.
Steve Pilon, a board member for BikeABQ, said the organization’s top priority is safety and the new additions will ensure bicyclists and pedestrians can safely navigate Downtown.
“In addition, having bike lanes on Albuquerque’s main streets like Central will make it more convenient for cyclists to patronize businesses along these avenues and contribute to the revitalization of Downtown and other historic commercial areas like 4th Street,” Pilon said.