Comments on: Progress

by: Josh Mahar

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:26:52 +0000

I was thinking about arrows vs. lanes while riding home today and I have come to the opinion that arrows have more potential than bike lanes. Here’s my theory:

With the bike lane on 2nd you have a very narrow section of road dedicated to bikes. With double parked cars, people parking and getting in/out, and speedy drivers flying past real close, it just doesn’t feel very comfortable.

With the arrows on 4th you really have an entire lane to ride in. At present it can be uncomfortable with people getting pissed behind you, but eventually, when more people start riding bikes, then drivers will just acknowledge that this lane is the dedicated bike lane. With it being so wide its much more relaxing and speedier bikers also have room to pass slower bikers.

Now that the arrows are on the ground, it is our job to make that lane the dedicated bike lane by simply making it local knowledge and etiquette. This is shared space at its finest.

by: kar

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:47:38 +0000

I watched the clip and it mentions that according to SDOT the bike lane is needed to allow car traffic to move smoothly past slow moving uphill bicyclists. So why not ask drivers what they think of that tradeoff, cheap parking vs. less congestion?

by: Rightchus Dude

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:39:02 +0000

Bikes DO take parking spaces away from us. Bikes take all kinds of things away from us. They took my grandma when she had the cancer. They took my hampster when I was 12. Do to this, I always try to take their wheels when I see them. I’ve only broken a few fingers as they ride by and I’m getting better at running alongside them.

by: derrickito

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:12:14 +0000

i just ate a giant breakfast burrito, several nacho chips, a bagel, and had about a half gallon of orange juice.

im off for some pizza next.

by: Shane

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:37:07 +0000

A note from the field: Just rode down fourth after reading this post earlier today. While the theory and the post made me happy, the reality of a sharrow is that its a politician’s way to say they are giving to the bikes, but without really giving anything but some toxic paint.

At most, I made it the length of three parked cars in that “bike lane” before encountering another parked car, a loading truck, a dumpster!, more construction stuff, more cars, and more cars. I also saw a parking officer and inquired.

She said to contact Sdot. I asked about if she could start dolling out some tickets. She shrugged.

The true bike lane on 2nd was much more pleasant, and a physically separated bike lane would be all the better. I’ll keep dreaming.

by: Oran

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:48:28 +0000

Yes, all the lanes on the street were adjusted.

Since the 7′ parking lane was eliminated for the 5′ bike lane, the remaining lanes were shifted over to the left, leaving a wider bus lane on the opposite side. At the intersection of 4th and Spring by the library, notice the markings made to guide 4th Avenue traffic back to the original alignment. If you look hard enough you can still see the remains of the old channelization.

by: Bryan McLellan

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:25:41 +0000

I also agree with Tony. Driving downtown should mean that you plan on bearing the cost of the private parking lots.

I love that the news caster starts of by saying that parking lots are being lost to _bikes_ like we’re losing parking spaces to roving bands of kitten murders or something.

Having grown up in the country I appreciate all the options outside of driving and only wish there were more. Nobody says “This is so inconvenient I could be taking the bus, or killing kittens whilst riding my bicycle!”

by: Dan Staley

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:16:15 +0000

Whenever I drive downtown to run an errand I circle for parking a good 5 times before giving up and paying extra for a lot. With higher street rates I’d go straight to the lots unless I was in a hurry.

Thus is named a big reason for congestion in CBDs, à la Shoup.

by: NBeacon Jon

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:35:10 +0000

This is good news. I currently use 3rd Ave. on my bike to get from south of downtown to the financial district. The lights on 3rd are infuriating, and leads a man to commit misdemeanor traffic offenses. But now maybe 4th will be safer.

by: wes

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:56:10 +0000

Oran,
Were all the lanes on the street adjusted? If not, how did the buses get more space? Isn’t the bus lane on the opposite side of the street from the bike lane?