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It should be easier than ever for Omaha cyclists to pedal around town thanks to a cohesive network of bike lanes, trails and shared roadways.

On Friday, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert announced the completion of the city’s Bike Omaha Network. In essence, the network is an interconnected system of bike-friendly pathways brought together by the use of signposts that stitch together trails, bike lanes and roads around midtown and downtown Omaha.

Critics of the Bike Omaha Network say it is little more than a collection of signs and a map that points riders down the city’s trails, roadways and piecemeal bike lanes, which many riders consider too risky to use.

The network covers 38 miles of pavement and uses 600 signs at 400 locations around town. The $75,000 worth of signs were paid for by private donations from entities including the Peter Kiewit Foundation and the Sherwood Foundation. Live Well Omaha coordinated the sign-making, and the City of Omaha’s Public Works Department installed the signs in December and January.

Friday’s announcement comes on the eve of Bike to Work Week, scheduled for May 13-19.