Crews have opened up the Gillham Road cycletrack in Kansas City — a two-way protected pedestrian + bike path stretching from the Plaza to the Crossroads. Let’s cycle through the details and walk through why it’s a big deal.
The details 🚴
- 3.5 miles: 19th Street to Brush Creek Boulevard
- Final segment complete: McGee Trafficway/30th Street to Linwood Boulevard
- 2 lanes separated by paint lines + curb stops
- Improved street crossings
Why it’s important 👟
Imagine hopping on a bike in the Crossroads and heading south on a mostly-straight line all the way to the Plaza. Now imagine feeling safe the whole way. That’s what this new route hopes to accomplish.
Gillham Road isn’t nearly as trafficked as other major arteries in KC. However, it’s the only continuous north-south route from the downtown to the Plaza east of Main Street and west of Troost Avenue. That makes it a prime target for connecting growing communities + businesses.
The cycletrack also directly serves the residents that live along the way. Heat maps show density pockets along Gillham Road from Armour Boulevard down through Hyde Park. Residents live in apartments, condos, and houses. Among those surveyed, 84% said biking and walking improvements should be prioritized. Most of those also said they would prefer bike lanes separated by curbs and landscaping. Mission accomplished.
Finally, dozens of businesses, patrons, and employees can benefit from greater access. Now, you can take a bike to work from Midtown to Children’s Mercy, Crown Center, or any of the shops on the Plaza. Don’t work nearby? Grab your friends on the weekend and walk to Brick House, Filling Station, or Billie’s Grocery.
Poll
Correction: Pump the brakes. A previous version of this story said that the Gillham cycletrack connects to Grand Boulevard via 27th Street — based on a Mid-American Regional Council plan that the project references. Change of plans. The cycletrack actually continues on Gillham all the way south to 19th Street in the Crossroads.