Tempe Bicycle Action Group’s 2024 Tempe Active Transportation Survey has rolled in, and the results are clear — cyclists love scenic spins on canal paths and Tempe Town Lake but crave safer riding on Tempe’s streets. 

As residents pedal forward, here’s a look at what’s driving the quest for better, safer biking, a release from Tempe Bicycle Action Group stated.

Councilmember Berdetta Hodge emphasized the city’s commitment in the release. 

“The city of Tempe is proud of the strides taken to increase safety on our streets,” Hodge stated. “We are moving forward with monumental projects such as the Smith Road Improvements, and we are garnering community feedback on what else can be done.  I am proud to be an advocate for a better and safer Tempe that welcomes multi-modal transportation.”

According to the release, Councilmember Hodge has it right — Tempe residents love the city’s investment in separated scenic multi-use paths, but maintenance matters. 

In the survey comments, over 55% of respondents noted that poorly maintained roads often turn their rides into obstacle courses. The goal is to have clear, smooth and well-kept lanes.

Jack Ketcham, Tempe Bicycle Action Group president, praised the collaborative efforts in the release but noted the road ahead. 

“Tempe’s partnership in paving safer paths has been fantastic,” Ketcham stated. “Yet, as our survey shows, the need for protected lanes in high-speed areas is pressing. Safety isn’t a luxury; it’s a right.”

With over 70% of respondents indicating a reliance on their bikes at least several times a week, the need for protected bike lanes on high-traffic arteries like Rural Road, Apache Boulevard and Southern Avenue is evident, the release stated. Cyclists seek safety shielded from motorized hustle.

Hannah Moulton Belec, mom of two and co-founder of Broadmor Elementary’s Bike Bus, which empowers students to pedal, roll, and walk to school safely, brought a smaller-scale perspective to the release. 

“Our streets need to be safe enough for kids to ride to school, period,” Moulton Belec stated. “The current speeds, driver behavior and lack of infrastructure in Tempe are all preventing our city from being as accessible and safe as we want it to be.” 

Ethan Burns, a high school junior and the enthusiastic young co-president of McClintock High School Bike Club, echoed Moulton Belec’s statement. 

“On a bike, I should feel as safe as in a car,” Burns stated in the release. “Continuous, protected lanes would change the game for student cyclists like me. Safety shouldn’t be a guessing game for us students. We need reliable paths to keep riding confidently.”

A staggering 70% of respondents reported frustrations with bike lanes that disappear at critical moments or never existed to begin with on dangerous roads. Continuous paths are not just a convenience; they’re necessary for ensuring seamless and secure rides across town, the release explained.

Katie Boligitz, Tempe Bicycle Action Group vice president, spoke of the future of multi-modal transportation in the city in the release. 

“As Tempe gears up to revise our transportation master plan, it’s crucial that we design a city that truly caters to all its road users,” Boligitz stated. “We envision a network where everyone, from young students to seasoned commuters, can navigate safely and efficiently and get to the places they work, study, shop and socialize.”

Residents will have an opportunity to share their thoughts and feedback with the city of Tempe as the once-a-decade revision of the Tempe Transportation Master Plan begins later this year.

For the summarized survey results and raw data from the group’s survey, visit https://biketempe.org/2024survey. Questions about the survey can be directed to Ketcham at jack@biketempe.org.