The Weekly Feed: Experimentation Edition
Morning Roundup: Change Edition
Former Blade Staffers Launch 'DC Agenda'
D.C. Unemployment Rate Reaches 11.9 Percent
D.C. Insurance Dept. Denies Birth Control Coverage Meddling
The District Department of Transportation is busy installing a new contraflow, south-bound bicycle lane on 15th Street NW, which will extend from U Street NW to Massachusetts Avenue NW. Initial work began on Monday, and DCist spotted the work crew out just above P Street this afternoon as they put down the directional bike lane symbols.
As has been noted by Greater Greater Washington, one of the key features of this new bike lane is that in addition to allowing cyclists to travel legally in the opposite direction of traffic, it is also designed to protect cyclists from traffic by placing it adjacent to the sidewalk. Typical D.C. bike lanes are placed between traffic and parked cars. Northbound cyclists will continue to ride in the right lane on 15th Street, with new signage designed to remind drivers to share that lane with bicyclists.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Mini-win. It's only like a half mile long?
That little half lane on either side of 16th (not during rush hour) is pretty convenient as a bike lane... if you're good at dodging doors.
No matter how many signs they put up, drivers simply aren't going to be looking for traffic to be coming from that direction at speed. I predict a disaster.
It would be nice if they could erect poles like in Montreal on the sides of bike lanes facing traffic. It would help with double parkers, churchies and cars in the bike lane. La sigh.
Heh. Erect.
Oops, I mean l'erect. Tres drole.
You mean like the poles in the photograph?
From the driver's perspective those poles are plenty visible.
Ohh, i thought those were temporary traffic cones. I guess the heating pad i'm using to keep my crotch area warm is affecting my eyesight.
Actually, I think you're right. Oops, my bads. There will be something I'm sure.
In addition to the poles, the closest "lane" to the contra-flow bike lane will actually be for parking. So, the bike lane will be between the curb and a lane of parked cars. Should be interesting.
At least now you'll be able to see the faces of people before they hit you. Good start, though.
Contraflow? Is that related to Contra Dance? And if it is safer for cyclists, do they do the Safety Dance?
(Yep, I'm pretty much Hitler today.)
But Men Without Hats weren't Nazis.
uh... hello! what about traffic signals? they all face the wrong way for bikes. this isn't going to work unless they put lights for bikes. and then the drivers will be confused. was this at all thought about? the article mentions nothing of this. they can't see if it is red or green.
From the Greater Greater Washington story
On 15th, DDOT will have bicyclists cross the street with the walk signal, just as contraflow pedestrians do.
How wide is the lane? Is there enough space between an opening drivers-side door and the curb for a cyclist to pass? how about for two cyclists to pass eachother?
It is 9' wide. I'd say enough for 3 cyclists side by side.
A little more info here:
http://readysetdc.com/2009/10/30/dcs-first-cycletrack-on-15th/
9' is plenty wide. Tho 3 side by side is optimistic, unless the lane is clear and all are skilled.
Start spray painting those ghost bikes...
Bike lanes are great...unless, that is they are used for two lanes of parking for cars as these lanes currently are being used.
Is something being done about this???
They have ruined the best driving street in DC, that had timed lights and 3 lanes. You could zoom through it in one shot. With 2 lanes it does not work anymore. Retards.