Understanding Bike Lanes & Shared Lane Markings In Lakewood

[michael gill]

I can only imagine that the logic of painting bicycle markings on the pavement is the same as painting white lines and arrows and crosswalks there, for cars and pedestrians. Why should it be any different?

I believe shifting from sidewalk to street is very much more dangerous than choosing one or the other, because you are then swinging in and out of motor traffic, in and out of motorists' awareness.

I believe riding in sidewalks comes with its own set of dangers, including entering the roadway at each intersection, passing right close to the front doors of buildings (which someone could exit at any time), and not being able to see around buildings as well.

I do not find riding on Detroit to be dangerous.

[Betsy Voinovich]

Hi Mike---

Detroit's not dangerous right now. I just rode home in the dead center of the road, as instructed to by the signs (if they are JUST LIKE the other painted markings, I am supposed to be in the middle of the road-- even if there is room for me on the side) and stayed in the turning lane to go left like a car, but there was no traffic whatsoever so it was moot. However, I was scared of cars coming up behind me wondering what the heck I was doing in the dead center of the road where the bicycle is painted.

When it is completely congested, it's dangerous on the sidewalk AND in the road on Detroit. When it's really crowded in both places, I don't ride. I know many families who don't let their children ride on Detroit. If I did ride and I'm out with my kids, rather than go in the road and out from sidewalk to road, we get off our bikes and walk them with the pedestrians. But when the road is congested, you are taking your life in your hands being in the road-- not to mention the center of the road, though at least you can be seen there-- I guess. Ask the city about the number of accidents with bikes on Detroit Rd. I guess those would be the real statistics.

You are probably a much better, more agile and faster rider than I am. I am not LESS careful than the average rider, or LESS aware. As a mom I'm hyper aware. I know for sure you are a much braver rider than I am.

Betsy Voinovich

[Betsy Voinovich]

Hey--- last night I went by the signs that I wish were here on Detroit Rd. The signs are on the Detroit/Superior bridge heading east.

They say: "Bikes may use full lane."

Such an improvement over, I don't know, "This is a picture of a bike." This sign has something to do with bikes being here.

I just ran into Mike Gill and I think he thinks I'm exaggerating this situation just a tad, but he agrees, he said, "It would be able to point to a sign that says exactly that: Bikes may use full lane."

Otherwise, when people yell at you when you are in the road on your bike, you are thrust into the role of interpreter. "See that bumpy painting on the road?" "The one under my wheels?" "Yeah! It means I'm allowed to be in front of you if I want to-- but I don't have to, I could also be on the side, I'm allowed to be there too, even though there isn't a bumpy painting of a bike there."

Anyway, something to advocate for. I wonder if those signs and their installation cost more or less than $38,000.

Betsy Voinovich

[michael gill]

I guess that conversation could be translated as "I agree," in the sense that I agree that signs mounted on posts stating "bicycles may use full lane" would also be effective in letting motorists know bicycles are allowed to be there.

But lane markings for cars are painted as white and yellow stripes. Lane markings for pedestrians are painted as white striped crosswalks. Why not for bikes?

In addition (and considering the way this is being argued) signs on the sidewalk next to the parking lane, which is actually next to the traffic lane might leave motorists wondering which lane we're talking about. I mean, if they're dumbfounded by seeing a bicycle and arrow stencil in the traffic lane, we can't really count on them for much, can we?

Of course we don't count on them for much. No matter what signs or marks you put up, bicyclists have to be careful.

Finally, I do not know how the cost of putting signs on posts with equal frequency would compare to the cost of the "sharrow" marks we have. That would be a lot of signs and posts.

What's been done is neither a panacea nor an outrage.

Here's hoping the "sharrows" call attention to a city that is already, thanks to its layout and geography, a remarkably bike-friendly place.

[Valerie Molinski]

Bicycle Anecdotes from Amsterdam

Here we present our final - and most informative - Streetfilm from Amsterdam. It provides a nice cross-section of commentary on life in the City of Bikes.

0:17 Rejecting the Automobile
2:15 A bike system that works for everyone
4:05 There's a science to what looks like "bicycle chaos"
5:55 Coming to The Netherlands from the United States
7:33 Dutch Bicycle Culture


http://vimeo.com/77084110#at=0

[John Viglianco]

CLIFTON BLVD BICYCLE SIGNS

The RIGHT TURN ONLY/BUS LANE signs every 100 ft weren't enough.

Now there are florescent SHARE THE LANE signs with a bicycle emblem on every block. I just noticed them yesterday.

What am I supposed to do differently? WHO or WHAT is the problem?
Are these signs directed to the cyclist or the motorist?
Why do they have to appear on EVERY SINGLE BLOCK!!!!!!!

Maybe we need to make the BRAKE FOR KIDS signs permanent and put them every 100' along Clifton also.

I have seen runners running on the street surface when they could have been running on the perfectly clear sidewalk. I think that we need to direct a message to them on every block also.posting.php?mode=reply&f=7&t=12187#

The CLIFTON SIGN SITUATION is entirely out of hand.

[Dru McKeown]

I would agree that Clifton is over signed, if I wasn't constantly dealing with folks trying to pass me in the morning from the bus lane, after driving it for 4 or so blocks and then suddenly coming upon a bus (surprise?).

As for Sharrows, it constantly amazes me how many people are unaware of the rules and laws for operating their motor vehicle on the road. Also, these rules are updated quite often (those of you driving without your headlights on while your wipers are on due to weather are in violation now, quite a few are unaware). Operating a vehicle can be one of the most dangerous things a person can do, especially if done improperly, not only to the operator but to passengers or anyone around the vehicle yet for some reason, once you get your license there is no longer any continuing education requirements.

As a cyclist, due to congestion and how people drive I have started taking the full lane on Detroit. When I move to the right I put myself in danger of people opening car doors without looking (almost got clipped in front of Pacers when in front of a bus, that could have ended very poorly) and it seems even when I move over as far as I can it isn't enough to keep the driver happy judging by the gestures and close drive-bys I get. City law states that if I ride on the sidewalk (the only place I have ever gotten hit btw) I am allowed a speed no faster than a walking pedestrian (3mph) which is why I ride on the road, where allowed by state law.

For a city that prides itself on being inter-generational, pedestrian friendly and a place to raise families we haven't been pushing a planning agenda that supports cycling and walking as strongly as we could have been (a great way for kids and older people to get around).

So I beg, when in your car, safe from weather, sitting comfortably, jamming out to whatever you jam out to, be aware of those who are more vulnerable than you and give them some respect and space. They aren't trying to inconvenience you personally, just go about their lives, and shaving a few seconds off your commute would never be worth the weight on the conscience of having caused someone harm.

[Tim Liston]

Dru says.... "As a cyclist, due to congestion and how people drive I have started taking the full lane on Detroit. When I move to the right I put myself in danger of people opening car doors without looking...."

And yet it seems the City is still planning on putting in a door-zone bike lane on Madison, both directions for its full length, after it is repaved. It's really hard to believe that anybody would spend big dollars to encourage cyclists to put themselves in danger on what is now Lakewood's easiest cycling arterial. It boggles my mind....

[Dru McKeown]

Tim,
To be fair, at least there is a lane, which offers some sort of indication that cyclists may be around, unlike Detroit Ave., which offers absolutely no protection and Clifton which is about as Wild West as any street around Cleveland I can think of. Maybe Euclid Ave. at times.

Would a protected lane be preferred? Completely. Not just by me but by anyone who bikes with their kids, while hauling some sort of baggage (from shopping locally), general commuting or while just cruising about enjoying the giant fireball in the sky we get to see sometimes.

However, when we look at the choices we have currently in place, "Sharrows" which do nothing except apparently confuse people and "Bike Lanes" on Franklin in which half the lane is typically street rubbish or storm grate I will happily take a bike lane adjacent to on-street parking that is 8' from the curb, at least 5' wide with 18" buffers (harkening to the NACTO [National Association of City Transportation Officials] guidelines until anyone wants to make an actual and real commitment to improving how folks get around our fair city. As Top Gear UK pointed out so very well, the more cyclists and pedestrians you accommodate, the less autos you have to contend with, on the road or via finding parking which will make everyone's commute better.

By the by, the "Urban Bikeway Design Guide" by NACTO is a tremendous resource with quite a few fantastic diagrams and best practices for anyone interested.

[Tim Liston]

Dru says “I will happily take a bike lane adjacent to on-street parking that is 8' from the curb, at least 5' wide with 18" buffers….”

The problem is, what you would happily take is not at all what has been proposed. Not even close. What is proposed, to my knowledge: 7’ parking stalls, no buffer at all, a 5’ bike lane, a 10.5’ vehicular lane in each direction, and an 11’ center turning lane. At least that is more-or-less what was proposed back in late 2012. Madison is 56’ wide and it may be a bit narrower here and there. Dunno for sure though….

This all has been debated here extensively some time back, and I spent a considerable amount of time weighing in then. Click here for the previous discussion. Opinions vary all over the place. And you will see a couple buffered lanes depicted, with buffers wide enough for most car doors. But to do that on Madison would require the elimination of the center turn lane, which is why it won’t be done. Motorists don’t want to wait behind a vehicle (bike or car) turning left. What will be done is either (1) the squished-in door-zone “bold move” bike lanes, or (2), hopefully, exactly what exists now, the most comfortable east-west bike route through Lakewood, maybe with some sharrows. Remember, on Madison, as it exists today, the right vehicular lane is slightly impinged by parked cars. In fact, many motorists use the left lane even when the right lane is available. That makes the right lane quite comfortable for biking, and one can bike in the right lane far enough away from parked cars to avoid dooring.

To be clear, I have not participated in any face-to-face discussions on this issue since 2012.

BTW with respect to the “bike lanes” on Franklin…. When Franklin was resurfaced many years ago, the right “shoulder” stripe was put in. A (now former) councilman recommended it. He explained to me (after it went down) that “maybe it could become a bike lane sometime,” not knowing that I’m not a fan of bike lanes, or that the lane is too narrow. Then some years after, not all that long ago, someone decided to add the bicycle markings and the signage, thereby completing what may be the worst bike lane in Northeast Ohio, an insult to cyclists. Were it not for the “bike lanes,” Franklin would be a nice street for biking. No on-street parking, relatively calm, wide traffic lanes and it goes right past the high school. The best thing that could happen for biking on Franklin is the removal of the “bike lanes.” At least then the autos would drive a bit closer to the curb and tend to “sweep” the right portion of the traffic lanes clear of most junk. As it is now, the Franklin “bike lanes” are little more than debris fields….

[Paul Schrimpf]

"Franklin would be a nice street for biking. No on-street parking, relatively calm, wide traffic lanes and it goes right past the high school. The best thing that could happen for biking on Franklin is the removal of the “bike lanes."

Really? I'm a fairly frequent rider ... I've used Franklin on my bike for years, both pre and post bike lane, and was on it on four different occasions this weekend and found it swept and safe and pothole free. There's almost no commercial traffic and I've never felt threatened by passing cars like I do on Detroit. It may not be designed to someone's best practices but they work for me.

[Dru McKeown]

I agree that Franklin is a nice place to cycle, just that the introduction of the "bike lanes" were poorly done. With the turning lane, traffic can give a nice wide berth. The "bike lane" only makes it difficult for people to understand they even with "bike lanes" present, cyclists still have a right to ride where they feel safe, which usually isn't navigating debris or storm grates.

As for Madison, yes, like everything that has been done locally as far back as I remember, "New" and "slightly better than what we currently have" apparently fulfills the need of thoughtful planning or design work. We have a very low standard for success. That being said, bike lanes, even in a door zone, is preferred over sharrows. I would love a buffer, but well, I never got the pony I wanted as a kid either and until anyone wants to make some real changes, some paint and a little bit of space is probably all we will get. When people park in the bike lane (as they will) I will just go back to riding in the street, which will infuriate some people, but that can't be helped. At least our marketing department will get something to point to in order to attract folks that may want better bike facilities. Let's call this (as well as the past and next few decades) "Building Years", if we can borrow from the Browns.

If you want to see something really amazing, look to cities that plan streetscapes really thoughtfully (Montreal, Toronto (used to, I think Ford sacked their planner), Portland, even NYC) where the "public realm" of the street is building face to building face and not curb to curb. Makes a world of difference. Sidwalks make sense, businesses have more clear frontage, utilities are centralized and not scattered about like forlorn children standing in the most inconvenient of spaces. This makes a huge difference on how pedestrians and cyclists engage each other as well as motorists with clear and defined space. It actually makes walking more pleasant too, which is always a bonus.

[cameron karslake]

I only wish that bicyclists would understand that "share the road" means them too! Going down Lake Ave, two abreast (therefore blocking the whole lane) at a leisurely pace isn't helping the issue.

from a sidewalk rider.

[Tim Liston]

1) Two abreast is legal in Ohio, everywhere that cycling is legal.

2) It is legal to use the full lane in Ohio if it is not possible for a motorist to pass a cyclist safely in the same lane, which is usually the case. Or when debris or other hazards on the right side of the road compromise safety.

3) There is no "minimum speed" imposed on cyclists in Ohio. Cyclists are allowed to pedal "leisurely."

4) It is illegal to cycle on the sidewalk in Lakewood when pedestrians are present.

5) When cycling though a Lakewood crosswalk, it is illegal (and unsafe) to do so at faster than a walking pace.

6) It is legal (and encouraged) for motorists to cross the center line (including double yellows) to pass cyclists, when it is possible to do so safely. Otherwise motorists are required to wait to pass.

It has been really great to see all the cyclists and pedestrians out and about over the last few days!