Hey Locals,

Imagine hopping on your bicycle and using it to get around Fort Wayne – not just for fun, but to replace a trip you might otherwise make in a motorized vehicle. In many places, this is becoming the "new norm" post-pandemic (boosted by booming e-bike sales), inspiring cities to rethink transportation systems and make streets safer for cyclists. So where does Fort Wayne stand?

Last week, a study rated the city in the bottom 18 percent of 2,579 cities nationally for ease of transportation by bicycle – and 32nd in Indiana alone. We break down what's happening to improve the situation, what's still needed and why it matters.

We also have details on two big projects and lots of new eateries around town, and a Q&A with a new late-night event called Last Fridays.

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Now, let's get started!

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How safe are Fort Wayne's bicycle lanes?

A national study calls the city a "high stress" environment for cycling – and it might matter more than you think.

What's happening?

Fort Wayne has long prided itself in its extensive trails network of 125+ miles, but last week, a national study (published locally by WANE 15) challenged notions of the city's ease for cycling, drawing attention to gaps between recreational riding and bicycling as a viable mode of transportation.

Here are a few quick things to know:

• PeopleForBikes gave Fort Wayne an 11 out of 100 rating on key metrics of bicycle infrastructure and connectivity. That's less than half the national average (28 out of 100) and a significant drop from Fort Wayne's score in 2019 (29 out of 100). This is largely because PeopleForBikes began factoring street speed limits into the equation in 2020, and many of Fort Wayne's residential streets exceed 25 mph, making them “high stress.” The fact that many local bicycle lanes utilize only paint (and not protective barriers between bicycles and vehicles) only makes the situation worse. The local grassroots organization Three Rivers Active Streets has documented this on YouTube, where you can virtually "ride" select routes, and see for yourself.
• By chance, the city is already working to lower neighborhood speed limits. City Traffic Engineer Philip LaBrash tells WANE 15 his team has been working for about a year now to reduce speeds on all neighborhood streets from 30 to 25 mph, largely due to resident petitions and complaints. But the process is complex, requiring about 2,000 streets set to get lower speed limits to be individually approved by the Board of Public Safety. New and updated signage and equipment will cost an estimated $300,000 - $500,000, too – not counting labor.
• More changes are needed to make cycling on streets less stressful for the masses. Co-Founder of Three Rivers Active Streets Kevin Brooks says his team is "thrilled about the new lower residential speed limits, though 20 mph in neighborhoods and Downtown would also be welcome." Internationally, the 20 is Plenty movement says a speed limit of 20 mph is most appropriate for residential streets. The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) also recommends default speed limits of 20 mph on "all minor streets." In Fort Wayne, LaBrash tells us there's not a clear reason why 25 mph is preferred for residential streets (as opposed to 20 mph). He says: “We use 20 mph speed limits in certain instances, like school zones, but we think it’s better utilized in those particular instances where needed, rather than as a blanket prescription for neighborhoods." He also says the city has not seen enough demand from residents to warrant more protected bicycle lanes at this point. "There are constraints budget-wise, and we want to be careful about making too dramatic of changes to streets. There's not necessarily a 'build it, and they will come' mentality with transportation. We tend to be more reactive to the community, especially when we’re trying to make large changes to our surroundings."

Why it matters

While perhaps costly and seemingly inconvenient upfront, research shows there are a multitude of net economic, social and environmental benefits cities can reap when residents are able to exchange even a few motorized vehicle trips with bicycle rides. Even for those who never plan to ride a bicycle for transportation, drivers benefit from safe bicycle infrastructure on streets, too, including reduced congestion, noise, stress and travel delays on streets, as well as improved air quality and health.

As Fort Wayne seeks to attract top talent, make good on its climate change initiatives and become more inclusive of people of all abilities and incomes, improving the safety of local bicycle lanes can help.

We explain more benefits and update you on the Urban Trail project in our premium newsletter.

• Fort Wayne developer and restaurateur James Khan broke ground on his $180 million "Villages of Arneo" mixed-use project along North Clinton Street near Wallen Road. Last year, the city's redevelopment commission set up an agreement with Khan (of ObiCai Restaurant Group) to fund a portion of the public infrastructure improvements within the project along North Clinton. The 240,000 sq. ft. development will offer residential and commercial space, including sit-down restaurants, a coffee shop, a lifestyle fitness center, mini market, pickleball courts and more. It will have 2.5 miles of walking trails through 35 acres of woods adjacent to the St. Joseph River, as well as two miles of cart paths along retention ponds and woodlands – all connecting to a dog park, community park and a commercial town square.
• New Haven's new massive multisports complex, "Fields of Grace," is adding a Harvester Homecoming Museum. You might remember: Fields of Grace is a 150-acre youth sports project WANE 15 has called "a small city" with retail, restaurants, entertainment, medical facilities and luxury multi-family residential. Last week, officials announced a Harvester Homecoming Museum will join the offerings, celebrating International Harvester's history in New Haven in a 30,000 sq. ft. space, including a display area, café, gift shop, meeting spaces, offices and more. Fields of Grace is expected to yield $50 million in economic impact and will have "a spiritual twist" in partnership with Grace Gathering Church in New Haven, which is providing much of the land. Other partners include Card & Associates and a silent partner. Construction is expected to finish by early 2026. Developers hint a Top Golf-type facility could be in Northeast Indiana's future, too.

Plus: Several new restaurants opening, an important op-ed and a new tenant at Electric Works. We cover it all in our premium newsletter.

Meet Last Fridays:

A late-night, monthly event, giving artists and friends a creative space to gather.

What’s happening?

Fort Wayne artist and bartender, Bonnie “BonJo” Andrews, started a new event called Last Fridays this year as a way to support artists and give people something fun to do on late-nights in Fort Wayne (besides bar-hopping). Since February, she and her team have been hosting free, monthly gatherings on last Fridays from 8-11:30 p.m., where you can meet and mingle with artists from Fort Wayne and beyond, enjoy food and drinks and make some new friends.

A few quick things to know:

• You might remember: BonJo was one of the artists who painted a mural at Electric Works. We featured her in a story last year for her "7 Dulce" mural. Since then, she's done shows in New York, and we have details in our full story!
• How Last Fridays works: Each month, the location rotates and offers space for 5-10 artists from Fort Wayne (and beyond) to show their work, as well as space for anyone to hang out. (Monthly artist callouts are posted on Instagram to submit your work.) Food and drinks are also available for purchase at most events. (Sometimes there's even free food, like pizza and charcuterie!)
• On the team for Last Fridays are: BonJo's partner, Rell Holman, Co-Founder of Bigger Than Us nonprofit, along with photographer Kelsey Martin and DJ J. Tubbs. BonJo says she posts callouts for night-of volunteers on Instagram, too, so keep an eye out if you want to get involved.

Learn more in our full Q&A.

• Travel: to the Emerald Isle for a five-course Irish Tasting Dinner at Rune restaurant on July 31. The meal will reflect Chef Sean Richardson's travels to Ireland in five creative courses ($125) and an optional cocktail pairing ($45) made with Irish whiskeys. (Seats are limited, and reservations can be made on Instagram.) If you miss this event, keep an eye out for more tasting dinners from Rune, which started hosting popular popup dinners in 2019 at Fortezza Coffee and now continues the tradition in their own space.
• Hangout: with Creator Space and the Local Archive on Aug. 2, at 5 p.m. on The Landing. "Grab your DORA cup and connect with local creatives from the community!" an Instagram post says. The evening includes jams by DJ I Do Crew, local vendors to shop and a photo/video backdrop for content creation.
• Register: for the free 2024 Inspire Neighborhood Conference, hosted by the City of Fort Wayne's Neighborhood Planning and Activation Workgroup on September 13, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Electric Works. The event aims to energize and equip Fort Wayne neighborhoods, residents, and leaders.

What else? Learn about more events in our premium newsletter.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett