Local bicycling advocates publish map of Carson bike routes

Carson City recreation advocates have made available a map for bicyclists to help them get around the city safely.

Muscle Powered, a group of residents promoting a walkable and bikable Carson City, published 10,000 bike maps in June with color-coded street markings depicting the best routes to pedal.

Bicyclists who helped design the map biked each route throughout the city, said Anne Macquarie, secretary of the group.

"It's basically our opinions of where it was best to ride, based on our own experience," she said.

According to the map, the most dangerous streets in the city are Carson Street between East Winnie Lane and Old Clear Creek Road (virtually the entire length of town) and East William Street between Carson Street and North Roop Street.

The map lists unpaved recreation trails where motorized vehicles are prohibited, planned paved trails, paved trails, alternate routes and principal or recommended routes.

Macquarie said hundreds of communities like Carson have maps for residents or visitors who take to the roads on two wheels but might be intimidated by vehicle traffic.

"It's difficult for them to figure out where they can go on a bike," Macquarie said.

The group produced the map in partnership with Carson City and the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety to help bicyclists "understand they can get around Carson City on a bike, if they rode safely."

"I like (Carson) because it's a relatively compact town, and it is easy to get to a lot of places with a bicycle," she said. "It could be easier if we had better bicycle lanes on more of our streets."

The map is at the Bureau of Land Management Carson City Field Office, AAA on Carson Street, Java Joe's, Bicycle Authority, Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Bike Smith, Comma Coffee, the Candy Bar, Carson City Parks and Recreation Department and other retailers. Or call Muscle Powered at 882-4898 or Carson City Parks at 887-2363.

GET ONE

What: Muscle Powered's bike map of Carson City

Where: Bureau of Land Management Carson City Field Office, AAA on Carson Street, Java Joe's, Bicycle Authority, Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Bike Smith, Comma Coffee, the Candy Bar, Carson City Parks and Recreation Department

Call: Muscle Powered at 882-4898 or Carson City Parks at 887-2363

Cost: Free