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Bike Shelters & Bike Racks - News & Discussion

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Started 1 year ago by News
Latest reply from rus

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lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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rus said:
In the 670 onramp example, forcing bikes to cross in front of traffic is just a splattered cyclist waiting to happen. Speed differentials and all, to which the answer before has been reduce the speed of cars. Which only makes driving worse.

Just wanted to quote this. Rode the lane in question on Sunday with a group of this year's How We Roll ride leaders and it is a pretty shoddy design. They could have easily sharrowed the most practicable right hand lane, which would be the right middle, allowing cars to pass safely in full, separate lanes on the right for 670-E and pass safely on the left in a full, separate lane to access 670-W. The engineer that designed this needs to be taken to task.

Map for the visual learners:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200385922810017703130.0004c51037d1a9695e707&msa=0&ll=39.967971,-82.996095&spn=0.001704,0.003457

Posted 11 months ago #
johnwirtz
Glenview, IL
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Is this a new bike lane? I don't see anything on the aerial map.

Posted 11 months ago #
mrpoppinzs
Arena District
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They want you to bike up 4th there? That seems crazy.

Posted 11 months ago #
NerosNeptune
Goodale Park
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There must be some reason they put the lane on the left? Should we expect a future lane on the right side of 3rd in the same area, crossing over the interstate-like on-ramp from 670 to 3rd?

The plus is that you don't *have* to ride in an unsafe bike lane, so you could just stay to the right if you don't want to force yourself through on-ramp traffic on 4th.

ETA: Now that I think about it, on the section just prior to the on-ramp you would definitely want to be over to the left rather than in the middle of the part where 4th turns into a mini-highway splitting in half to go 4th/670E. I guess they figure it's safer to just stay to the left after that rather than try to merge across.

Posted 11 months ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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johnwirtz said:
Is this a new bike lane? I don't see anything on the aerial map.

No, that's just my map showing how they could have stripped something on the right w/o issue. I think this was done in the last month or two. I have no idea what justifies a left hand bike lane on a wide multi-lane one way.

Neros you're right. Thankfully the city enacted legislation a few years back that doesn't require one to use lanes, even when present. Maybe they knew their engineers all too well?

Take a look at my map...you can still stay to the right in that middle right lane and avoid the mini-split without issue.

Posted 11 months ago #
NerosNeptune
Goodale Park
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I see what you mean, but having seen how people drive in that area, and in other highway splits around Columbus, I would be pretty worried about riding in that middle lane. People tend to fly over across multiple lanes *just* before slamming into the divider when they realize they're in the wrong lane. I'd hate to be a cyclist in their blind spot right there. If I had to choose one or the other, I think I would rather be in the left lane.. the road starts to look more like a street there, cars slow back down, and there's more of a straight section leading up to it where cars are more likely to see you and have time to react.

Both situations are awkward and probably dangerous, but it would require a ton of reconfiguration and money to fix it. I don't remember seeing if the area in question will be impacted by all the split-fix work being done? For now I just stick to High St. to cross 670 and cut across afterwards if I'm going somewhere on 4th.

Posted 11 months ago #
mrpoppinzs
Arena District
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NerosNeptune said:
For now I just stick to High St. to cross 670 and cut across afterwards if I'm going somewhere on 4th.

+1

Posted 11 months ago #
johnwirtz
Glenview, IL
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lifeontwowheels said:
No, that's just my map showing how they could have stripped something on the right w/o issue. I think this was done in the last month or two. I have no idea what justifies a left hand bike lane on a wide multi-lane one way.

Neros you're right. Thankfully the city enacted legislation a few years back that doesn't require one to use lanes, even when present. Maybe they knew their engineers all too well?

Take a look at my map...you can still stay to the right in that middle right lane and avoid the mini-split without issue.

Okay, so there's a new bike lane on the left then? And the problem is the traffic on 4th merging left to turn left onto the I-670 WB onramp?

Posted 11 months ago #
NerosNeptune
Goodale Park
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johnwirtz said:
Okay, so there's a new bike lane on the left then? And the problem is the traffic on 4th merging left to turn left onto the I-670 WB onramp?

Yes.. it's on the left then a little bit before the on-ramp the turning traffic and the bike-lane cross.

I remember the first and only time I rode my bike down 3rd to get downtown.. I was pretty surprised to suddenly feel like I was riding in the middle of the interstate. If they ever put bike lanes on 3rd I guess it would go in the middle between the off-ramp and on-ramp traffic.. but they'd need to put in a lot of traffic calming measures. You can't help but speed up to highway speeds when suddenly the road takes on the style of a highway.

Posted 11 months ago #
johnwirtz
Glenview, IL
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NerosNeptune said:
Yes.. it's on the left then a little bit before the on-ramp the turning traffic and the bike-lane cross.

I remember the first and only time I rode my bike down 3rd to get downtown.. I was pretty surprised to suddenly feel like I was riding in the middle of the interstate. If they ever put bike lanes on 3rd I guess it would go in the middle between the off-ramp and on-ramp traffic.. but they'd need to put in a lot of traffic calming measures. You can't help but speed up to highway speeds when suddenly the road takes on the style of a highway.

Thanks. It seems like the same problem would exist if the bike lane were to the right. Cars on 4th will need to merge across the bike lane onto I-670 EB.

Neither option is perfect, but given the choice, I think I'd rather contend with the single turn lane on the left than the two-lane major diverging movement on the right. I'm sure the car volumes getting onto I-670 WB are lower than going to I-670 EB too.

Posted 11 months ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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johnwirtz said:
Thanks. It seems like the same problem would exist if the bike lane were to the right. Cars on 4th will need to merge across the bike lane onto I-670 EB.

Neither option is perfect, but given the choice, I think I'd rather contend with the single turn lane on the left than the two-lane major diverging movement on the right. I'm sure the car volumes getting onto I-670 WB are lower than going to I-670 EB too.

Only I didn't say bike lane. Only to sharrow the middle right lane to avoid cyclists having to cross 3 lanes of traffic then have to cross again at the WB on ramp. If you use Street View you can see how marking the right would work better, as drivers would have a full right lane to access EB, plus the extra when it splits and 2 lanes to the left.

Just my experience after riding it in traffic.

Posted 11 months ago #
johnwirtz
Glenview, IL
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lifeontwowheels said:
Only I didn't say bike lane. Only to sharrow the middle right lane to avoid cyclists having to cross 3 lanes of traffic then have to cross again at the WB on ramp. If you use Street View you can see how marking the right would work better, as drivers would have a full right lane to access EB, plus the extra when it splits and 2 lanes to the left.

Just my experience after riding it in traffic.

I think I see your point. A short stretch of bike lane on the left means that people who are most likely riding on the right have to merge left into the lane and right out of the lane. That does suck. However, if they were to extend the left side bike lane farther south (Livingston?) and north (Hudson), then it could be a better design overall. One benefit of left side bike lanes on one-ways is that it avoids bus conflicts.

Posted 11 months ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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johnwirtz said:
I think I see your point. A short stretch of bike lane on the left means that people who are most likely riding on the right have to merge left into the lane and right out of the lane. That does suck. However, if they were to extend the left side bike lane farther south (Livingston?) and north (Hudson), then it could be a better design overall. One benefit of left side bike lanes on one-ways is that it avoids bus conflicts.

True but it really seems like it would create more issues. What does it teach cyclists/drivers on that stretch? All of the sudden traffic patterns change: I ride right on the road...but left on this one?

I've mentioned in other threads but I think the better option would be creating a wide bus/bike only lane. It works well in other areas and would provide benefit to a greater number of people.

Posted 11 months ago #
johnwirtz
Glenview, IL
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lifeontwowheels said:
True but it really seems like it would create more issues. What does it teach cyclists/drivers on that stretch? All of the sudden traffic patterns change: I ride right on the road...but left on this one?

I've mentioned in other threads but I think the better option would be creating a wide bus/bike only lane. It works well in other areas and would provide benefit to a greater number of people.

As long as it's well marked, I'm not too concerned about it creating some kind of broader confusion about which side cyclists are supposed to ride on. All of New York City's protected bike lanes on the avenues are on the left (to avoid buses). A bus-bike only lane could work too.

Posted 11 months ago #
Cole
Hilltop
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johnwirtz said:
As long as it's well marked, I'm not too concerned about it creating some kind of broader confusion about which side cyclists are supposed to ride on. All of New York City's protected bike lanes on the avenues are on the left (to avoid buses). A bus-bike only lane could work too.

Overall, stretching the bike lane from Livingston-ish to Hudson-ish would make a lot more sense. Hudson could have a bike box for people wanting to turn right from 4th to Hudson without wanting to cross 3 lanes of traffic.

However, without any bike facilities to the south of the I-670E (and I-71) ramp, I don't think it should have been implemented (i.e. painted).

Hopefully this bike lane in its current state doesn't end up on Google Maps or a regional bikeway map such as MORPC. I don't think this would be a pleasant experience for someone looking for a simple bike lane.

Posted 11 months ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Saw this today. Pretty awesome idea about how to shelter bikes, use some creativity and reclaimed material and do it for less than $30k. Hope this goes through and comes to fruition to see how it plays in the real world.

Posted 10 months ago #
geoyui
West Side
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lifeontwowheels said:
Saw this today. Pretty awesome idea about how to shelter bikes, use some creativity and reclaimed material and do it for less than $30k. Hope this goes through and comes to fruition to see how it plays in the real world.

Based on their site, it seems like they could create this for around $2500 (not sure if they meant $5000 or $500 for the fabrication and labor). And they're local to Cleveland. DEAL!

Posted 10 months ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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geoyui said:
Based on their site, it seems like they could create this for around $2500 (not sure if they meant $5000 or $500 for the fabrication and labor). And they're local to Cleveland. DEAL!

Considering we are the "Indie Arts Capital of the World" these could present a unique opportunity to collaborate with artists or arts groups to create public art with purpose.

ETA

Scratch that...it's fiscally responsible and common sense. It's already failed the test to be considered for Columbus. ;)

Posted 10 months ago #
johnwirtz
Glenview, IL
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As long as it doesn't impair sight distances at intersections or driveways, it seems like it could work.

Posted 10 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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lifeontwowheels said:
Scratch that...it's fiscally responsible and common sense. It's already failed the test to be considered for Columbus. ;)

Have any of these things been built anywhere yet? If not, it sounds a little early to declare it a smashing success...

Posted 10 months ago #