Leading Pedestrian Intervals?

[Tim Kelley]

We already have this in Arlington–like at the Lynn/Lee Highway Crossing!

[jrenaut]

DC has been doing this for a while on the 15th St cycletrack. However, there are signs there indicating that cyclists should use the walk signal. I took that to mean that cyclists should NOT use the walk signal elsewhere, though they could have just put them there for clarification.

[dasgeh]

@Tim Kelley 59757 wrote:

We already have this in Arlington–like at the Lynn/Lee Highway Crossing!

So are bikes allowed to follow the LPIs if they’re in the roadway (v. on the sidewalk, like at Lee/Lynn)?

and jrenaut — I believe the Council just passed a law that changes the rules in DC. Hence the question.

[Tim Kelley]

@dasgeh 59766 wrote:

So are bikes allowed to follow the LPIs if they’re in the roadway (v. on the sidewalk, like at Lee/Lynn)?

Unless otherwise stated, if a bike is on the roadway it needs to follow the traffic light signals the same as a car. Unless otherwise stated, if a bike is in the crosswalk/sidewalk it needs to follow the crosswalk light signals the same as a pedestrian.

[dasgeh]

@Tim Kelley 59767 wrote:

Unless otherwise stated, if a bike is on the roadway it needs to follow the traffic light signals the same as a car. Unless otherwise stated, if a bike is in the crosswalk/sidewalk it needs to follow the crosswalk light signals the same as a pedestrian.

So that’s DC (can follow) and VA (can’t follow). MD?

[Tim Kelley]

@dasgeh 59768 wrote:

So that’s DC (can follow) and VA (can’t follow). MD?

Wait, what in the article makes you think that a bike in DC can jump a red light if it’s not in a crosswalk? I’m pretty sure this is just talking about crosswalk signals, not traffic signals.

[dasgeh]

@Tim Kelley 59770 wrote:

Wait, what in the article makes you think that a bike in DC can jump a red light if it’s not in a crosswalk? I’m pretty sure this is just talking about crosswalk signals, not traffic signals.

not in that article. It was a new law passed 7/11/13 (which takes effect 30 days later). Here’s the bill: http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20130220111138.pdf

[jrenaut]

@dasgeh 59771 wrote:

not in that article. It was a new law passed 7/11/13 (which takes effect 30 days later). Here’s the bill: http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20130220111138.pdf

I don’t really care about using the LPI – I tend toward the vehicular cyclist end of the spectrum, and don’t really like following different laws from cars in most instances. But the requirement that public space permit holders who block a sidewalk or bike lane must provide safe accommodations for bikes and peds is pretty awesome. It’ll be totally ignored, but I might carry a printout of that law whenever I’m riding.

[Terpfan]

@Tim Kelley 59770 wrote:

Wait, what in the article makes you think that a bike in DC can jump a red light if it’s not in a crosswalk? I’m pretty sure this is just talking about crosswalk signals, not traffic signals.

Because the LPI starts while the light is red and anyone in the cycletracks (at least 15th St and PA Ave) are instructed to follow the crosswalk symbols rather than the traffic lights. It makes sense if you think about it for us using the crosswalk symbols due to left turn arrows not being intergrated into the cycletrack model. But, yes, with LPI, you would effectively be running a red light when it starts.

[dasgeh]

@jrenaut 59775 wrote:

I don’t really care about using the LPI – I tend toward the vehicular cyclist end of the spectrum, and don’t really like following different laws from cars in most instances. But the requirement that public space permit holders who block a sidewalk or bike lane must provide safe accommodations for bikes and peds is pretty awesome. It’ll be totally ignored, but I might carry a printout of that law whenever I’m riding.

I think it’s helpful at some intersections. I go through one daily (Virginia and E) where I’m pointed uphill, and cars can be, let’s just say annoying. By jumping the light (using the LPI), I can get speed and get past the dangerous point (where the road forks and some cars want to go right) before the cars get there.

But yes, I generally think it’s a good bill. I wish ArlCo would step up…

[Tim Kelley]

@dasgeh 59771 wrote:

not in that article. It was a new law passed 7/11/13 (which takes effect 30 days later). Here’s the bill: http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20130220111138.pdf

Ah, that clarifies things!

[TwoWheelsDC]

Okay, pair this with the abolishment of right-on-red and I’ll start to get excited.

[jrenaut]

Using the LPI definitely makes it safer in some situations. My real misgiving is that when cyclists filter to the front of a line of cars then use the LPI, we are essentially shoaling a faster moving vehicle, which we all know is super-annoying.

[DaveK]

@dasgeh 59777 wrote:

But yes, I generally think it’s a good bill. I wish ArlCo would step up…

Like most things in Virginia, it isn’t up to Arlington. See the Dillon Rule. And the state legislature doesn’t exactly look favorably on proposals from Arlington.

[dasgeh]

@DaveK 59785 wrote:

Like most things in Virginia, it isn’t up to Arlington. See the Dillon Rule. And the state legislature doesn’t exactly look favorably on proposals from Arlington.

There have to be some ideas from this bill (or others) that ArlCo could tackle. Or at least we could have ACPD enforce the laws on the books that do protect vulnerable road users.

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