The Northern Kentucky cycling community has been advocating vocally for increased bike safety measures along the 11th Street Bridge since Gloria San Miguel was struck and killed on the bridge last month.
Their activism is starting to pay off.
Matt Butler, president of the Devou Good Foundation, announced on Twitter that the City of Covington, City of Newport and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reached an agreement to to approve a two-way protected bike lane on the 11th Street Bridge.
“I think it’s really positive feelings for the whole community,” Butler told LINK nky. “Both cities and the state came together to make the bridge safer for everyone on wheels, and walking as well.”
The agreement came Wednesday afternoon after a meeting between the cities, the transportation cabinet, Devou Good and Tri-State Trails.
“This will improve safety for all road users including people on wheels, people walking and people in cars,” Butler tweeted.
A raised curb separation system will be installed on the northernmost lane of the 11th Street Bridge. Qwick Kurb, a company that specializes in manufacturing lane separation systems, will be the product used.
Vision Zero NKY, a group operated by Devou Good, proposed to repurpose the one drive lane of the 11th Street Bridge into a physically protected two-way bike lane.
Butler and Devou Good held private meetings with the city government of Newport on Sept. 2, and the city government of Covington on Sept. 14.
Covington Mayor Joe Meyer said Tuesday during the Covington City Commission meeting that the city was in favor of designated bike lanes.
“The City of Covington is disposed in favor of designated bike lanes,” Meyer said at the Commission meeting. “We have said that consistently.”
Dozens of people showed up to Tuesday’s Covington Commission meeting to advocate for designated bike lanes within the city, as well as other measures to increase cycling and pedestrian safety.
