Foreign help for Austin cycling woes

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It was a busy weekend in Austin for cyclists. Hundreds of riders took to the roads for the Livestrong Challenge and the University of Texas hosted a cycling convention.

But now city leaders are focusing on how to get even more people out of their cars and onto bikes.

On Thursday and Friday cycling experts from The Netherlands will be in Austin to take a look at ways to make downtown streets "biker friendly."

The international exchange comes after an increase in concern for cyclists' safety here in town. So far this year the city has seen a near 40% increase in traffic fatalities involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Austin City Council Member Chris Riley led a group of city officials, including City Manager Marc Ott, on a 10-day biking tour of the Netherlands.

While there the group had the chance to study the lifestyle difference where biking is a way of life.

The city will look at incorporating more bike lanes, traffic signals and adding new bike trails.

Deaton Bednar, who owns Texas Bike Tours, a company that takes tourists on a two wheel trip around town, said the change is neccesary.

"I can't tell you how frustrating it is," said Bednar. "You are in a bike lane and all of a sudden it ends -- well, what are you supposed to do?"

The trip and research was paid for by the Green Lanes Project.

Austin, along with five other U.S. cities -- Chicago; Memphis; San Francisco; Portland, Ore. and Washington -- were selected earlier this year to participate in the project. The goal is to help growing cities like Austin become more comfortable for people on bikes over the next two years.

"Just imagine coming to Downtown Austin and there are not as many cars, people are healthier," said Bednar. "You can either burn fuel or burn fat -- which one do you want to do?"

The project is also hoping to transform Austin's congestion problem by getting more people on bikes.

The experts' visit will end Friday with a public presentation of their ideas and findings at 5:30 p.m.