To: Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW)

Bike Indianapolis is calling on the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) to publicly release the agency’s trail maintenance plan.

To date, information detailing how and when local trails and bike lanes are to be cleared has not been shared with the public. This includes clearing snow in colder months, encroaching brush in warmer months, and leaves in the fall. During the 2022/23 winter season, trails were cleared of snow once–just before the Polar Bear Pedal. Our citizens use these trails to commute to work and access much-needed services every day. Currently,  the DPW’s website states, “Crews also may plow and treat several of the city’s key greenways, trails, and walking paths at Indy Parks properties as conditions warrant.” This statement is not sufficient nor has this regularly occurred.  

We request that the DPW provide a detailed maintenance plan that outlines how and when trails will be cleared, specifically during inclement weather to include clearing of the trails of snow within a reasonable time. We also ask that encroaching brush be cut back at the beginning and end of the summer season throughout the trail system. Lastly, we ask that fallen leaves be removed from trails at the end of fall and/or start of winter to prevent them from becoming slipping hazards and to limit soil deposition that encourages grass to grow into the trail, thus reducing its usable width.

WE the undersigned petition the Indianapolis Department of Public Works as follows:

1. To create and make accessible a comprehensive trail maintenance plan that stipulates how and when trails, greenways, or bike lanes will be cleared.
2. To include in the trail maintenance plan: a) Routine clearing of trails after winter weather events (snow, ice, sleet, etc.); b) Routine removal of encroaching brush from the edges of facilities at key times after new growth comes in; c) Annual removal of fallen leaves from trails and bike lanes. 
3. Commit to addressing and/or resolving Request Indy/MAC cases in a reasonable timeframe (perhaps no later than one week from the date a case is submitted), with varying levels of prioritization based on hazard.