Arlington Needs a new Bike Plan. We can do better.

[lordofthemark]

@DismalScientist 137493 wrote:

The problem with this is that it may be true in terms of newbie comfort, I don’t think it’s true in terms of actual safety.

As I think we have discussed before there is some debate about that. The argument is often made that more bike accidents are at intersections than sideswipes or hit from behind, ergo taking the lane is safer. And some ancient study on sidewalk riding (which did not adjust for cyclist experience) is cited for the dangers of seg infra. A more recent study suggests that actual PBLs are just as safe as taking the lane, and a good bit safer than conventional bike lanes, but there were also methodological problems with that one, IIUC.

Imagine what would happen if we went full Dutch, with folks tooling along separate bike paths at 7 mph and these were respected by drivers. You can be damn sure that I’ll still be in the streets because I don’t want to double my commute time.

In that case a very large percentage of the drivers you would be sharing the lane with would also be riders (or have close relatives who ride) so you might find that would also be better.

Here BTW are the definitions Portland developed http://bikeportland.org/2006/12/07/what-type-of-cyclist-are-you-2650

[chris_s]

@DismalScientist 137493 wrote:

The problem with this is that it may be true in terms of newbie comfort, I don’t think it’s true in terms of actual safety.

Study 1: Of 14 route types, cycle tracks had the lowest risk
Study 2: The relative risk of injury on cycle tracks was was 28% lower than reference streets
Study 3: PBL installation in NYC increases weekday ridership by 56%, decreases crashes 34% & crashes with injuries 28%

[lordofthemark]

@chris_s 137497 wrote:

Study 1: Of 14 route types, cycle tracks had the lowest risk
Study 2: The relative risk of injury on cycle tracks was was 28% lower than reference streets
Study 3: PBL installation in NYC increases weekday ridership by 56%, decreases crashes 34% & crashes with injuries 28%

The first is the Teschke study I was thinking of – IIRC the accusation has been made that she did her work in Toronto and Vancouver, and the infra (esp the cycle track(s) in question) was either atypical or misspecified. Not sure about the other studies.

[Steve O]

@DismalScientist 137493 wrote:

I am not a “strong & fearless” rider.

True, I understand you are afraid of the sideways grates on the Whitehurst even though they have a 2.5″ wide “rail” across them. nya nya nya.

[bikepedantic]

Just wanted to throw the term “low stress” in here. While PBLs are a bit of a missing ingredient in Arlington (and most other places), and are rightfully debated, concentrating on low-stress facilities of all types should be the focus of a new plan. I hope this includes world-class PBLs, but also, cutting-edge neighborhood greenway standards/plans and trail development.

[huskerdont]

@Steve O 137506 wrote:

True, I understand you are afraid of the sideways grates on the Whitehurst even though they have a 2.5″ wide “rail” across them. nya nya nya.

When I cross Key Bridge, I look down Whitehurst in much the same way I would look down a scary Class V rapid as a kayaker when I wasn’t ready to run it yet. It may be doable, but I don’t want to get into the middle of it and find out I was wrong.

[DismalScientist]

@Steve O 137506 wrote:

True, I understand you are afraid of the sideways grates on the Whitehurst even though they have a 2.5″ wide “rail” across them. nya nya nya.

I suggest you get over there with a ruler to remeasure.
The Whitehurst is OK, but I’m not hitting those grates at speed.

[Steve O]

@Steve O 137506 wrote:

True, I understand you are afraid of the sideways grates on the Whitehurst even though they have a 2.5″ wide “rail” across them. nya nya nya.

@DismalScientist 137522 wrote:

I suggest you get over there with a ruler to remeasure.
The Whitehurst is OK, but I’m not hitting those grates at speed.

definitely more than 2.5″
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11596[/ATTACH]

[dbb]

@Steve O 138714 wrote:

definitely more than 2.5″
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11596[/ATTACH]

So a 70 mm wide single track with 25 mm slots on each side. Talk about precision cycling! What could possibly go wrong?

[DismalScientist]

And a nice straight rut down the middle so you won’t slip out.

[chris_s]

Good news! Arlington is updating its bike plan. Here are 10 ideas to make it great!

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