Comparing dedicated bike lanes to sharrows

[Ted Lochwyn]

The New Springville Green Way is a wonderful example of a dedicated bike lane that works. It works because there's enough room to created a two-lane bikeway, and (at least part of the way) the bikeway is paralleled by a pedestrian walkway. It still manages to work even when pedestrians walk in the bike lanes because the number of pedestrians is usually small enough that bikes can still get around them reasonably safely (though it does mean having to slow down). 

 However; it's rare that a major thoroughfare has sufficient peripheral real estate to make room for dedicated bike lanes. A prime example is Richmond Terrace, where the existing bike lane is smack dab in the door zone, and there's no buffer between the bike lane and the traffic lanes. Also, there is so much interference, not only with car doors but with pedestrians, double parked cars, and miscellaneous debris in the bike lane,  that cyclists are frequently forces into the main traffic lane. I've ridden Richmond Terrace a lot and it's a harrowing experience. I'm of the opinion that we'd be better off with sharrows there instead of bike lanes. I don't think the political will is there (at least not yet) to make the change, but I think it's a sign that we need to be careful what we wish for, and to recognize that in most instances throughout the city the general public would be more accepting of new sharrows than of new bike lanes. 

A good example where I think sharrows _would_ work well is Forest Avenue. There isn't room for bike lanes (for the most part). Sharrows would help in making drivers aware that they need to share the road. I don't have the time to take the lead on a campaign for it, but I just mention it here as a way of getting the conversation going. 

By the way, I think this forum is a good way for us to discuss all kinds of things; we can do a lot even without holding regular meetings. This way, everyone has a chance to speak to any/all topics even for those who can make it to an in-person meeting. 

Thanks for hearing me out.  

[C MathLady]

Ted, I agree with you. Drivers need to learn that they have to share the road and sharrows are one way of teaching them.

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[Ted Lochwyn]

Thanks, Chris.

[C MathLady]

I don't like they paint shifting sharrows. My vote is for protected lanes, at least designated ones , or straight sharrows all the way . I have no prroblem taking the lane when I need to. 

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[Ted Lochwyn]

Hi Chris, 

What are shifting sharrows?

Thanks,

Ted

[C MathLady]

I was talking about the ones that are painted on one side of the road and then the sharrows lane is moved over to the center and back to the right(like on Bay Street).

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[Ted Lochwyn]

Oh, I see now. I think they try to keep them on the right but sometimes that have to shift into the midst of the traffic lane to work around parking lanes. 

Even if the sharrows are out in the middle, there's nothing to stop you from riding in the parking lane when it's empty; you just have to be sure to shift back over -- ie, out into the traffic lane -- well in advance of any parked cars that you come upon. If you wait too long to move over, drivers are certain to just continue occupying that lane (ie, they won't move over to let you work around the parked cars). 

I admit that Sharrows aren't a panacea. That's why I opened by giving an example of a protected by lane that works. But in the real world it isn't practical to have dedicated bike lanes everywhere; and it there aren't a lot of bikes in a given area (which is mostly true all over Staten Island), it isn't warranted to take out a traffic lane to make a bike lane.  We have to make come concessions to the need for traffic lanes for cars. 

[C MathLady]

Ted, 

Yes, very true. If the lane is too narrow, I sometimes take the lane.

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