Council committee leaves bike lanes in Gillette Street plan

The plan to put new bike lanes on Gillette Street is still alive.

The judiciary committee of the La Crosse city council narrowly voted to keep bicycle lanes in the master plan for remodeling the north-side street.

Council member Scott Neumeister proposed a ban on bike lanes for much of Gillette, because of the heavy traffic there. The ban failed on a 4-3 vote.

Neumeister cast one of two votes against the Gillette Street plan when it was approved by the board of public works last month.

Citizens, both for and against the bike lanes, spoke for about an hour last night, with some opponents criticizing the suggested elimination of curbside parking to allow more bike traffic.

The full city council votes on the issue next week.