Councilwoman suggests bike lane innovation
City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke floated an interesting notion Sunday as she took part in a neighborhood event in Roland Park.
Noting that the city is planning to repave Roland Avenue, she suggested that transportation officials install a two-way bicycle lane immediately adjacent to the curb, with a parking lane just to the left.
The idea, she said, is that the lane of parked cars would serve as a buffer between bike riders and the cars in the travel lanes. Clarke said the idea has already been tested in New York and Montreal. The bicyclists who were gathered nearby seemed to think that was a good idea.
So what do you say, two-wheelers and parallel parkers? Is the councilwoman on to something or has she just slipped a gear?
Coincidentally, the Greater Greater Washington blog is reporting that District officials are considering a similar idea for 15th St. N.W. GGW has a lot of good graphics that help explain the concept.
Comments
While I applaud the councilwoman's good intentions, a two-way bike facility like this is very likely contrary to AASHTO guidelines. It makes crossing movements at intersections a bigger problem for both motorists and cyclists, and intersections are where the majority of collisions occur. Motorists simply will not see a cyclist coming the 'wrong way.'
Posted by: Ed W | October 25, 2009 4:10 PM
I support most efforts to make the city more bike friendly. One concern with this would be that passengers would not be accustomed to watching out for bikers on the left side as they open their car doors.
My dream would be for all the bike lanes/sharrows that currently exist to be smoothly paved.
Posted by: jon | October 25, 2009 7:41 PM
Likewise. The intention is good but I'd much rather see that energy applied to efforts that effect the entirety of roads that are shared with bicycles.. rather than special schemes for a select mile here and there.
Posted by: OldSchoolTwoWheeler | October 26, 2009 10:03 AM
Great idea! Making roads seem more dangerous has been resoundingly proven to in fact make them more safe, the idea is referred to as mental speed bumps. And let's stop putting the blame on cyclists; our automobile transportation system kills thousands of people every year without the incursion of cyclists.
Posted by: ramonchu | October 27, 2009 2:45 AM
Thanks for covering, Mike. Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke supports better conditions for city bikers and she is a good listener.
Also, glad to see that you don't always wear a jacket and tie on the job.
See my pic of the Councilwoman chatting on Roland Ave on Sunday (http://pic.gd/48431d)
Posted by: @ecogordo | October 27, 2009 9:17 AM
I was encouraged by Councilwoman Clarke's openness to ideas presented at the Equal Rights for Bikes taskforce meeting. Though the taskforce would be a bit redundant, since the MBAC exists, it was nice to see the council become more aware of the efforts of cyclists and planners in the city.
Here's to a better bike future.
Posted by: Jed | October 27, 2009 4:03 PM
A one-way "cycle track" could be appropriate and valuable there, although to get the necessary buffer for that type of facility would probably involve removing an auto travel lane.
On the other hand I don't think that a two-way facility would be appropriate there, generally we want to encourage cyclists to travel with traffic.
Overall cycle tracks need to be well designed to address some of the safety issues associated with operating near, but not with, automobile traffic, but several cities in the US and around the world have done so successfully and they make comfortable spaces that attract new cyclists.
For more info about Portland, OR's experience go to http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=50257
Thanks for your coverage of the Sunday Streets and the hearing.
Posted by: Patrick McMahon | October 28, 2009 3:34 PM