EASLEY — Easley residents packed into the meeting room at the Law Enforcement Center Monday night to give their input to possible plans to improve conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians in the city.

Easley is working on a master bicycle and pedestrian plan with Alta Planning. The plan is set to be presented to city council later this year.

Company officials presented a slide show going over various issues that need to be addressed and possible answers. After a break in which the crowd looked at maps of possible plans, organizers asked for input on various issues.

Easley Chamber of Commerce president Kent Dykes suggested that the sidewalk on Brushy Creek Road be extended from Pine View Drive to Wimberly Lane.

Others suggested the city concentrate on making Powdersville Road more “friendly” for pedestrians and bicylists.

“Heck, I’d settle for it being more friendly for cars,” one resident joked.

Others wanted safer bicycle crossings for US 123.

Cover bicycle stands, especially in the downtown area, were also requested.

Many suggested the city work to increase safety for children walking to school, particularly citing the lack of sidewalks near West End Elementary.

Some suggested safer walkways would encourage more parents to allow their children to walk to school, decreasing morning road traffic. Studies estimate that as much as 20 percent of morning traffic is attributable to people driving their children to school.

Another suggestion was for more “push to walk” crossings in the city.

Former Easley Progress publisher Jerry Vickery was concerned about walking and bicycle trails to the site of the new Easley High School.

“There’s a lot of sentiment with the location of the new high school,” Vickery said. “A lot of folks are saying ‘that won’t really be an Easley high school. Maybe if we can provide bike and pedestrian accessibility, that will help combat that notion.”

Another person suggested that the city start by requiring developers to include sidewalks and bike trails with any new road built in city limits.

Council members Thomas Wright, Dave Watson and Chris Mann were present.

Mann said that while he was excited about the turnout, he hoped everybody kept their hopes within realistic expectations.

“We all see these great ideas, but we also know that all of these things come with a price tag,” Mann said. “This is a long-term process. Some things we’ll be able to do now; others we’ll have to wait until we can find a grant or funding becomes available. Some may come 10 years down the road, some 15 years down the road, and some may even be 20 years down the road.”