Politics
Mayor Kabat defends vote on Gillette St. changes
The city of La Crosse is not trying to favor bike riders over other people, in promoting bicycle lanes on busy streets.
That’s how Mayor Tim Kabat responded to criticism of a Board of Public Works decision this week to install bike lanes on Gillette Street, while removing vehicle parking on one side.
Kabat voted with the 3-2 majority in favor of the change on Gillette.
Wednesday afternoon from the WIZM studio Kabat said a city ordinance encourages street access for pedestrians and cyclists.
Asked about charges that the board didn’t listen to people who opposed the Gillette plan, the mayor said he takes public comments on community issues “very seriously.”
Kabat added that the La Crosse city council might choose to weigh in on the Gillette Street decision.
Two council members, who sit on the public works board, voted against the bike lane plan. The council, however, is not required to act on the street proposal.
Sally Schultz
February 14, 2019 at 8:43 am
Why even asked for public opinion when you knew already what you were going to do no matter what? Gillett Street is too busy for a bike lane and it is not needed. Save our tax payers money and fix the roads that need to be fixed and not adding Bike lanes