My Morning Commute

[KWL]

@worktheweb 115227 wrote:

My morning route on the MVT was beautiful. I was remarking at the beauty around me — flowers in bloom, …

Including honeysuckle! I love the smell of honeysuckle in the morning. [cue the Wagner]

[americancyclo]

forgot to mention yesterday that riding through the Intersection of Doom there was a steady stream of cyclists that nearly got the walk count down to zero before cars could begin turning. It was nice.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@americancyclo 115272 wrote:

forgot to mention yesterday that riding through the Intersection of Doom there was a steady stream of cyclists that nearly got the walk count down to zero before cars could begin turning. It was nice.

#waroncars

[Tania]

@americancyclo 115272 wrote:

forgot to mention yesterday that riding through the Intersection of Doom there was a steady stream of cyclists that nearly got the walk count down to zero before cars could begin turning. It was nice.

A bunch of us made it through this am as the clock was ticking down to 4…3…2. I kinda felt bad for the cars waiting to turn. Kinda.

[ShawnoftheDread]

I guess going through in the last few seconds of the light cycle and then wondering why the intersection is so dangerous is the new safe biking.

[Tania]

And stopping with five or six bikes right on my tail, three or four passing in the other direction plus a few pedestrians/joggers in the mix would have been any safer? The light was still green and the walk signal was still in our favor.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Tania 115290 wrote:

And stopping with five or six bikes right on my tail, three or four passing in the other direction plus a few pedestrians/joggers in the mix would have been any safer? The light was still green and the walk signal was still in our favor.

With that many people around I would have to say yes.

But really I’m just yanking your chain, as it were (and Shawn’s especially).

[mstone]

@ShawnoftheDread 115289 wrote:

I guess going through in the last few seconds of the light cycle and then wondering why the intersection is so dangerous is the new safe biking.

So your theory is that the intersection is dangerous because of a crowd of additional people crossing in front of already-stopped traffic? My intuition is that the intersection is dangerous because of cars flying through without noticing peds/cyclists, and that the safest thing to do is take advantage of any opportunity when traffic is actually stopped. I suppose anything is possible, though.

[dkel]

@ShawnoftheDread 115291 wrote:

But really I’m just yanking your chain, as it were

I find this hard to believe!

:rolleyes:

[bentbike33]

Given the new timing of the walk signal and the (sometimes visible) “no right turn” signal at the Intersection of Doom, is it time to rethink how we interact with drivers there? As I understand the sequence of events: (1) the walk signal to cross Lynn (white walky man) turns on and the no right turn sign illuminates while the traffic light remains red; (2) the countdown begins (with flashy red hand), the no right turn sign shuts off, and the traffic lights turn green; (3) the countdown ends (steady red hand), light remains green; (4) light turns yellow; (5) light turns red; (6) rinse and repeat.

I feel most righteous entering the IoD during the walk signal (serious sprint required eastbound from Ft. Meyer Drive walk signal). In the morning, it appears most drivers are heeding the no right turn sign, but begin turning right during the countdown when they have the green and the no right turn sign is off. I tend to stop if I arrive at the crosswalk during the countdown, unless there is ped/bike traffic already in the crosswalk inhibiting the motorists. I have been shoaled however making this stop by cyclists looking to assert the right of way during the countdown.

My PAL instinct is to not enter the crosswalk after the countdown starts as this may garner the most respect from lawful motorists. What say others?

[Tania]

@bentbike33 115307 wrote:

My PAL instinct is to not enter the crosswalk after the countdown starts as this may garner the most respect from lawful motorists. What say others?

I tend to stop if I arrive at the crosswalk during the countdown, unless there is ped/bike traffic already in the crosswalk inhibiting the motorists. I have been shoaled however making this stop by cyclists looking to assert the right of way during the countdown.

Agreed BUT this is the situation I was in this am, not to mention the several bikes directly behind me. I was in the middle of a pack of bikes/joggers flowing both ways.

That section through Rosslyn is my least favorite part of my commute. And it’s NOT because of the cars.

[jabberwocky]

Regarding countdowns, If I think I can be safely across before it reaches zero, I go. I don’t know what the specific rule is, but I think its sort of crazy to only go on the walk, since thats such a short part of the cycle. Seriously, some of the intersections I cross, the walk signal barely lasts long enough for me to clip in and start moving.

[DismalScientist]

The cool kids take Clarendon down to Rosslyn and make a left at Lynn. This is to keep the bicycle infrastructuralists from getting us killed.:rolleyes:

[KWL]

@jabberwocky 115311 wrote:

Regarding countdowns, If I think I can be safely across before it reaches zero, I go. I don’t know what the specific rule is, but I think its sort of crazy to only go on the walk, since thats such a short part of the cycle. Seriously, some of the intersections I cross, the walk signal barely lasts long enough for me to clip in and start moving.

I believe the rule is, if the countdown starts, don’t enter.

[KLizotte]

@bentbike33 115307 wrote:

Given the new timing of the walk signal and the (sometimes visible) “no right turn” signal at the Intersection of Doom, is it time to rethink how we interact with drivers there? As I understand the sequence of events: (1) the walk signal to cross Lynn (white walky man) turns on and the no right turn sign illuminates while the traffic light remains red; (2) the countdown begins (with flashy red hand), the no right turn sign shuts off, and the traffic lights turn green; (3) the countdown ends (steady red hand), light remains green; (4) light turns yellow; (5) light turns red; (6) rinse and repeat.

I feel most righteous entering the IoD during the walk signal (serious sprint required eastbound from Ft. Meyer Drive walk signal). In the morning, it appears most drivers are heeding the no right turn sign, but begin turning right during the countdown when they have the green and the no right turn sign is off. I tend to stop if I arrive at the crosswalk during the countdown, unless there is ped/bike traffic already in the crosswalk inhibiting the motorists. I have been shoaled however making this stop by cyclists looking to assert the right of way during the countdown.

My PAL instinct is to not enter the crosswalk after the countdown starts as this may garner the most respect from lawful motorists. What say others?

Clearly this intersection could use a “barnes dance” protocol. All lights turn red and peds/cyclists can cross at all points, including across the diagonal. Then the appropriate lights turn green (and the “no walk” signal goes on) and the cars have right of way. Seems the safest and fairest way to deal with the intersection but VDOT is fearful of traffic backups (the horror!).

[Author]

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