The city’s 2011 Bike Plan open house Thursday was so well attended that by 7 p.m., there was no available space to lock up a bike at City Hall.

Almost 250 people, some in cycling jerseys and toting helmets, came out to express their desires and concerns to planners, including Dallas Bike Coordinator Max Kalhammer and Toole Design Group, the consulting firm that is putting the plan together.

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The general consensus was that the city needs more bike lanes. The city has a nice trail system, but it’s not always logical for commuting.

Cyclists pointed out that in Oak Cliff, bike lanes are needed on Hampton, Colorado and Kiest, as well as along the Houston Street Viaduct.

Peter Lagerwey, Toole’s senior designer, noted that a system for bikes is important in planning bridges because the life of a bridge could span many decades.

He gave some 30 examples of bike system elements that work well in other cities. But to make a bike system work in Dallas, it has to be formulated based on the needs of cyclists here. The 2011 Bike Plan has a website with an interactive map and survey, where Dallas residents can make suggestions for the plan through June 30, when Toole and city staff will start putting the ideas together for a preliminary plan.