Transportation

The Wichita City Council Tuesday approved the Bicycle Master Plan. It recommends ways to make bicycling easier, safer and more convenient in Wichita.

A 19-member steering committee worked on the plan for two years. More than 4,000 people participated in the planning process at various meetings and events.

At the council meeting, Scott Wadle of the city's planning department outlined some of the recommendations:

The Wichita City Council will hear recommendations Tuesday on a 10-year, $12.5 million plan to improve and connect city bike paths.

Bike shop owner Lee Engler says new riders like safe paths and seasoned riders prefer street improvements, and the steering committee is proposing both.

Gov. Sam Brownback has proposed merging the Kansas Turnpike Authority and the state's highway department, but so far few details have been released.

Michael Johnston, president and CEO of the KTA, says he hasn't yet taken a stance on the proposal.

"We've not seen exactly, you know, what the governor plans, and we will in due time, but I'm just awaiting more details," Johnston says.