As Omaha continues to grow in population, people are beginning to look at transportation alternatives to private vehicles. The metro does offer a variety of bike paths and trails, however some community members said it isn’t enough. Josh Lebure is a cycling veteran and bike enthusiast living in the metro. He said Omaha needs to view cycling differently.
“We need to view bicycling as something that’s not just recreational – I mean people bike to work every day as part of their commute – a necessity not just for fun,” he said.
He continued to describe Omaha’s bike infrastructure as “lackluster” and “built for cars not humans.” Josh said he remains optimistic, however.
“I haven’t lived here that long, but I do enjoy flying down large hills and coasting around the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge,” he said.
He emphasized that although downtown and Midtown is doable for bike commuters, West Omaha is a different story.
“I honestly don’t think people west of 72nd have bikes. There’s just so much road – where would they ride them? They don’t feel safe on the sidewalks…or the streets,” he said.
Mark Vondrasek is a mechanic for the bike-share program Heartland B Cycle. The nonprofit offers rental pedal-assist electric bikes, with over 80 rental docs across the metro.
“Being able to serve the community in a sustainable way is pretty rad. Biking sucks here, but it is getting better,” he said.
Mark stressed that Omaha needs to invest in more cycling amenities and also teach residents about bike safety.
“It’s dangerous here. It really is. People are crazy and have no regards for cyclists,” he said.
The city is constructing the North Omaha Trail, which will provide a critical transportation, economic, recreational and public health link. The trail will tie into the Paxton Boulevard Trail and connect several North Omaha neighborhood anchors, including the North Omaha transit station at 30th & Ames, the Kennedy Square redevelopment, the 24th & Lake Historic District and eventually North Downtown.
