Bike Plan Map

Bike Safety

By Gary Gaddis, President, Shawnee Bicycle Advisory Board

Bike Safety is everyone's job.  Most cyclists and drivers cannot help but notice the changes in Midland Drive, compared to its narrow previous size. Wider roads with defined bike lanes, such as the newly revamped section of Midland Drive, are not only safer for bicyclist but, according to highway safety authorities, they are also safer for automotive traffic. The city’s capital improvements plan specifies similar construction will be done on the newly revised Monticello Road from 75th to 83rd Streets, on Quivira Drive from 47th to 51st and on 47th street from Mund to K-7. Work on Woodland from 47th to Shawnee Mission Parkway will begin this fall and will include on the road bike lanes.

Those who ride on Midland Drive between Lackman Road and Renner Road will notice that they have two options for riding. Faster riders are to ride in the specially designated bike lanes at the far right of each side of the road, marked with the diamond sign. Slower riders may wish to ride on the concrete recreational trail to the south of Midland, which can be shared with walkers, runners and skaters.

On roads without designated bicycle lanes, it is proper to ride a bicycle in the lane of traffic moving with traffic, not against traffic. It is safest to ride about 2 feet to the left of the white edge of road stripe, where the right side tires of cars travel. Two abreast riding is legal, but it may be safer and more courteous to ride single file except when passing or changing leaders.

The warm weather months bring out many bicyclists in our area. Though most cyclists use safe riding techniques, a minority need a reminder regarding rules of the road. Police have noted unsafe and discourteous behavior such as riders traveling three and four abreast, and failure to stop or even to slow at stop signs. Also, motorists and other cyclists appreciate it when planned turns are signaled. Both bicycle riding and motor vehicle operation need to be done in a manner predictable to others. Cyclists who flout the rules of the road reinforce anti-cyclist prejudices of some drivers. Those drivers then often become discourteous to all cyclists.

City of Shawnee Parks & Recreation, Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66216
(913) 631-5200 Fax (913) 631-4651 E-Mail