Eager to have street striping coincide with upcoming county road work this year, the St. Paul City Council on Wednesday approved two bike lane projects in different corners of the city.

The first would connect Prosperity Avenue, Hazelwood Street and Prosperity Road from Maryland Avenue to Larpenteur Avenue.

After a public hearing on the project, Council Member Dan Bostrom — who grew up on Prosperity — expressed concern about the loss of parking and distributed an alternative proposal. But his amendment was voted down, 4-3.

“I was going to allow parking on both sides of Prosperity and put in (shared lane markings),” said Bostrom, noting the area lacks alleys and side streets where drivers can relocate their cars for parking. “You could put the bicycle lanes in the street just the way they do on St. Clair.”

The attempted last-minute substitution drew some criticism.

“I’m very uncomfortable,” said City Council President Amy Brendmoen. “We just held and closed a public hearing on a (bike lane plan) that was vetted in the community.” Related Articles St. Paul rec center hours, aquatics, ice rinks face budget hit

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Council member Samantha Henningson noted that many cyclists have said they don’t feel safe on streets marked for shared lanes.

The council then voted 5-2 to support the original staff proposal, with Bostrom and Chris Tolbert opposed.

A second proposal, to install bicycle lanes on Lexington Parkway from James Avenue to St. Clair Avenue, was approved 7-0 following remarks from multiple bicycle commuters who live on or use the parkway. Ramsey County plans to complete mill and overlay work on the parkway this year.