Since it was first announced that West Alabama would be used as an alternative thoroughfare while the spur is shut down for three years, there has been talk that the bike lanes from Woodhead to Weslayan would be removed to make room for more vehicles.

The idea became solid when the city unveiled its mitigation plan... The city decided to remove the coveted bike lanes and, to appease the community, place caution signs for bikers on Fairview Street, about three-quarters of mile to the north, as an alternative.

"For us to leave the bike lanes would not allow us to do that (maintain a safe environment) and it would be a danger to the bicyclists," said Gary Norman, a spokesman for the Department of Public Works and Engineering. "We felt it (on Fairview) was the safest route and the best way to maintain connectivity in the bikeway system."

However, community activists find the removal of the lanes typical of the city's lack of commitment to the bikeway program.

What options do those who oppose the plan have?

Lundeen said there are a few things that can be done.

"We are exploring political solutions with the help of neighborhood groups like WALQ (West Alabama Quality of Life Coalition)," he said. "If those options are not successful, we will consider our legal options as well."

Legal channels might be the best plan of action for activists as the bike lanes were set up with federal funding.

John Mack of the Federal Highway Administration wrote to the state transportation department saying "It is unwise public policy to install bicycle facilities with federal funding, only to have them removed within a short period by the city.

"Further, federal legislation specifically prohibits FHWA from participating in a project that would sever an existing bicycle facility."