Green Lane Project – Could we do it?

[WillStewart]

Dumb question: What happens March 9th?

[chris_s]

@WillStewart 14648 wrote:

Dumb question: What happens March 9th?

That’s the Green Lane Project application deadline.

[acc]

I believe this forum has a quorum of participants capable of pissing off others.
It looks like this project would increase the safety of cyclists. If the perceived level of safety goes up, more people standing on the sidelines will join.
If one area gets this project, it’s likely that surrounding communities will feel pressured to keep up.
What are you proposing?

FYI: Related – http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/06/giving-city-streets-built-in-safety-features/

ann

[Riley Casey]

Green pavement might make the potholes easier to see. Sorry to be flip but if you can’t get a city to fill in the holes in the streets that might toss you on your face bigger ambitions might be a bit out of reach. Sorry, I’m just grousing about the poor condition of the 15th St cycle track – or maybe I am grousing about the inability of a city like DC with a supposed commitment to cycle infrastructure not being able to do the simplest levels of maintainence on the existing facilities.

[Arlingtonrider]

I would have difficulty buying into this without knowing where it would go, whether there is a need for it and what it would involve. A green lane for the mere sake of having a green lane??

[acc]

Oh, the power of a green lane. Without road markings a cyclist is something to be tolerated, or not, by drivers. A green lane is visual reminder/educator that bikes belong. They also “narrow” the street and that brings speed down. It’s also an enticement, a reminder, an idea that there is another way to get around town. Oh, and paint is cheap.

ann

[jrenaut]

Am I reading it wrong? It sounds to me like they’re not just talking about painting green lanes, but also a lot more comprehensive improvements in cycling infrastructure.

I agree about the 15th St lanes (especially southbound, right against the curb). The pavement there is pretty nasty in parts.

[Arlingtonrider]

More information would be helpful.

[KLizotte]

Text from the website is below. Note that “green lanes” are a euphemism for cycling improvements.

I’m more than willing to pitch in to help but I think an official from BikeArlington and/or the county govt would have to have serious input and/or lead the initiative since there are already plans and governmental institutions for cycling improvements and these would have to be coordinated. Also, there is very little time to pull something together at this juncture.

Website text:

The Green Lane Project is a new effort that will work closely with six U.S. cities to help them build world-class cycling networks on city streets. These will be cities that are poised to make significant progress over the next two years in installing cycle tracks and related improvements, which we’re calling Green Lanes. The Project will facilitate a partnership between the cities and provide them with resources and technical assistance, while expanding the knowledge base and sharing it widely.

Focus cities: The six focus cities will be selected by the Green Lane Project team by the end of March 2012. These cities will have a plan or vision that is supported by elected officials, leading staff, and the community. Interested cities are invited to apply by March 9, 2012. More information and the application form can be found here.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Is this stuff like normal road paint? I’ve had too many close calls on slick paint to look positively on the idea of being stuck on a bike lane that is covered with it.

[Dirt]

@KLizotte 14681 wrote:

Text from the website is below. Note that “green lanes” are a euphemism for cycling improvements.

@TwoWheelsDC 14683 wrote:

Is this stuff like normal road paint? I’ve had too many close calls on slick paint to look positively on the idea of being stuck on a bike lane that is covered with it.

I’ve never slipped on a euphemism before. Totally joking about that.

I think DC has the need and the push to support more and better infrastructure. I think really working to educate people about what we have is a good idea. Both goals will take a little dent out of the virtually insurmountable problem that we have… the “I’m more important than obeying traffic/pedestrian laws” syndrome that affects the vast majority of the population of this area.

This might be a good second step.

[Chris Eatough]

For clarification:
The original post by Bike-Ped Manager IS from an Arlington County Planning staff member. He is looking for a gauge of interest in cycletracks and other innovative facilities for street design and separation of bikes and motor vehicles. The NACTO/Bikes Belong Green Lane Project fosters these advancements and showcases 6 projects in 6 progressive cities across the country. Arlington is considering applying. The question is, does the County have enough public support to implement these kinds of facilities. Will there be major complaints about the changes, possibly including a reduction in car parking or travel lanes?

[DismalScientist]

I generally don’t like the idea of cycletracks because, as segregated facilities, they encourage drivers to think that bicycles do not belong on the streets. This is a problem with bike lanes as well as drivers have told me to move into the bike lane when riding so would be dangerous. Parallel facilities include bike lanes and cycletracks (and sidewalks) often lead to left and right hooks as bicycles “come from where drivers do not expect them.” Last year, there were a spate of accidents on the Penn. Ave cyclotrack (U turning cars), 15th street cyclotracks (drivers hooking across the cyclotrack with properly assessing bicycle traffic, and bicyclists riding on sidewalks getting struck by turning cars at intersections. My belief is that in the vast majority of cases, I think the preferred infrastructure is sharrow with wide outer lanes if possible.

Another problem with cyclotracks that is shared by multi-user trails is that they force two-way traffic into relatively narrow areas. Generally I find riding on the MUPs is much more dangerous than streets due to the variation of speeds (of both cyclists and pedestrians) and unanticipated behavior by users. On such narrow “roadway” there is often little room to avoid collisions.

PS: Does anyone find it interesting that the cover photo in the New York Times piece on Green Lanes shows a cyclist salmoning in that facility?

[Greenbelt]

Dismal, my experience in Montreal is the opposite with cycletracks. The cycletrack system, coupled with the Bixi bikes, led to an explosion of bike riding in the city. Literally tens of thousands of cyclists on the roads. The cycletracks helped get newbies oriented, and helped slower riders feel safe. Eventually the tracks got crowded in rush hour, and faster and more experienced riders often use the main traffic lanes. But instead of facing hostility to “get off the road,” drivers have just become accustomed to seeing bikes everywhere, and have adjusted. The cycletracks make riding comfortable for those who would otherwise be too intimidated to ride on the roads (like myself, in parts of DC). It seems to me that the same thing is gradually happening in DC, although on a much smaller scale at this point. Drivers seem much more alert to bikes each year. The protected cycletracks and CaBi are getting more people out on bikes, and drivers are starting the notice that bike are out there, and are sharing better all the time I think. At least in DC. The suburbs, not so much.

[DaveK]

@Greenbelt 14738 wrote:

Dismal, my experience in Montreal is the opposite with cycletracks. The cycletrack system, coupled with the Bixi bikes, led to an explosion of bike riding in the city. Literally tens of thousands of cyclists on the roads. The cycletracks helped get newbies oriented, and helped slower riders feel safe. Eventually the tracks got crowded in rush hour, and faster and more experienced riders often use the main traffic lanes. But instead of facing hostility to “get off the road,” drivers have just become accustomed to seeing bikes everywhere, and have adjusted. The cycletracks make riding comfortable for those who would otherwise be too intimidated to ride on the roads (like myself, in parts of DC). It seems to me that the same thing is gradually happening in DC, although on a much smaller scale at this point. Drivers seem much more alert to bikes each year. The protected cycletracks and CaBi are getting more people out on bikes, and drivers are starting the notice that bike are out there, and are sharing better all the time I think. At least in DC. The suburbs, not so much.

This has been my experience as well. Riding in DC is transformed since CaBi went live in 2010 and really since spring 2011 when it took off. I think part of the reason CaBi is able to do what it has is facilities like Pennsylvania Ave and 15th St.

[Author]

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