Finally, protected intersections for bicyclists!
Keihly M
Mark Ortiz
This demonstrates the lengths people have to go to make cycle tracks work at all at intersections. It does resolve the problem of how to establish an orderly traffic pattern for bicyclists when you give them a bikes-only green for the entire intersection: have a bikes-only roundabout.
Some downsides of the intersection design:
1. Separate signal phase for cyclists reduces throughput for all users.
2. Only applicable to a signalized intersection
3. Costs money
Some downsides to cycle tracks which this intersection design does not affect:
1. Difficult to impossible for cyclists to make left turns at driveways and non-signalized intersections
2. Greatly increased hazard level for cyclists from motorists making both right and left turns at driveways and non-signalized intersections, especially with parked cars as shown
3. Conflicts with pedestrians entering and leaving parked cars, if present as shown
4. Debris on cycling surface: some natural; some accidental; some deliberately thrown into the bike ghetto by bike haters
5. Greatly increased motorist drive-out hazard level at driveways and alleys, which are 10% of car/bike collisions in Mecklenburg County now. Motorist overtaking bicyclist (all types) are 8% in Mecklenburg now.
6. Blockage of cycling surface if a motorist entering road from driveway has to wait for motorized cross traffic
7. Added pavement area consumes space, consumes materials, increases storm water runoff, costs money.
Mark Ortiz
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Mark Ortiz
I also see that Falbo entertains the idea of using this configuration without a bikes-only green. Now that is truly wacky, and an invitation to disaster.
He also suggests a signal phase where motor traffic gets a green for straight ahead and reds for both right and left turns, while the cycle track gets green for straight ahead too. Then there’s a green phase for the turning traffic and red for straight. This requires left turn only and right turn only lanes of substantial length. Otherwise any backup of turning traffic blocks the through traffic, and vice versa.
Mark Ortiz
Pamela Murray
I’d rather ride in regular travel lanes than be segregated.
