Carmel spent millions on the Monon Trail for bicycles. Why do they now need to ride on Range Line Road with costly planters?

Range Line Road was once seen as a major thoroughfare in Carmel … four lanes of heavy traffic with a center turn lane (so you might as well say five lanes) that would serve what was once seen as a central commercial corridor in Carmel. Over time, that notion has changed. Careful city planning and partnership with the State of Indiana has managed to steer “thru-traffic” to Keystone and U.S. 31. The commercial corridor followed to the Meridian Corridor while the central core of the city has evolved into a corridor that is more amenable to residential living, corporate office jobs and smaller commercial ventures.

“It made sense to change Range Line into something that is more appropriate for an area where people want to live.”

Because of this, it made sense to change Range Line into something that is more appropriate for an area where people want to live. And our current and future generations of people – a future generation of young, smart, employable residents – are demanding cities that respect and accommodate their desires to drive less and walk more or bike more to the amenities that they desire.

In other words, cities are being challenged to create pockets of economic activity within their borders that accommodate more than just cars … but people, bikes, pedestrians, small businesses, fewer sprawling parking lots … these are the little details that need to be handled sooner rather than later. As for the planters … They are an innovative solution, a safety measure to keep our bicyclists and pedestrians safer as they move up and down what was once a thoroughfare designed solely for cars.

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Authored by Laura Campbell, Ron Carter, Sue Finkam, Bruce Kimball, Kevin Rider and Jeff Worrell