Yield to Bikes sign replaces Ghost Bike

 why.i.hate.dc reports that a new sign (pictured) has gone up at Connecticut and R, NW.

While not quite as emotionally compelling as the ghost bike display, the new sign is at least some progress. Hopefully this will be a very visible reminder to drivers.

Update: As pointed out in the comments, this sign is probably in the wrong spot and needs to be moved back to the other side of 20th where the right turn lane actually begins.  AKA here:

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Comments

[j]

Yes, glad to see the sign has been put up. But it seems oddly placed to me -- right at the intersection with CT ave, not at (or before) the intersection with R. Am I missing something?

[SJE]

"Yield to bikes"? What happens if you fail to yield? And kill someone? So far, not much.

Without enforcement, a "yield to bikes" sign is about as absurd as a sign stating "please don't run over people"

[Washcycle]

j, you're right, this sign should be back where the dotted bike lane (and thus the right turn lane starts), not past the intersection with 20th.

SJE, I like to think the sign is to inform rather than frighten. I ride under the, perhaps Pollyanaish, assumption that most drivers are trying not to hit me and in fact would like to not hit me. This sign is for them.

[SJE]

While I also ride under the assumption that most drivers are not trying to kill me, your blog regularly documents lax enforcement and, even if enforced, the penalties for hitting, hurting and even killing cyclists are a joke.

What happened to the locksmith in G'town that ran the cyclists off the road? Bob Novak? Alice Swanson? The girl in Mont. Co. who was killed in broad daylight, on a crosswalk, with a helmet?

So, while I agree that the reminder is good idea, the cynic in me sees this, instead, as a way for DOT to move past the issue of Swanson's death without actual real change.

[Washcycle]

Fair points. But I would say that DOT is legitimately concerned with the safety of cyclists and pedestrians over the convenience of drivers. The problems that exist are on the legislative and law enforcement end of the equation.

[SJE]

Fair point.

[Contrarian]

OK class, discussion time: If this sign had been present at the time of the Swanson accident, what would have been different?

I'll go first: nothing. The truck driver would have ignored the sign, because for most drivers most signs are just visual noise. If anything, the cyclist would have felt safer passing on the right because that's what the sign said to do. The police would still have claimed that the cyclist was going too fast for conditions.

[Contrarian]

But I would say that DOT is legitimately concerned with the safety of cyclists and pedestrians over the convenience of drivers. The problems that exist are on the legislative and law enforcement end of the equation.

I would disagree. I'd put the Council (legislative) in first place. Have you ever read what the DC Code says about crosswalks and bicycles? It borders on utopian. My experience with DDOT is that they will do anything in their power to help pedestrians and cyclists, as long ias it doesn't involve spending money or inconveniencing motorists. DDOT refuses to implement bike facilities properly because to do so would mean making motorist share some street real estate, and they refuse to do that.

Clearly the judiciary is the least cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly (although the police come close.) The pedestrian decisions the courts hand down are even worse than the cyclist ones!

[Washcycle]

Contributory negligence is still the law in DC - that was my thinking on that.

[SJE]

Yes, and it would not have worked for Alice Swanson: remember, she was "speeding" (in flipflops etc)

[fyi]

Just as a note there actually is a second 'yield to bikes' sign further down R St. (before the driveway to the scientology church).

[AL]

I saw a bike on the opposite corner of Connecticut Ave. this morning. It seems the Ghost Bike has reappeared!

[j]

All the corners of the intersection, and the median strip of Connecticut, now have Ghost bikes. The whole intersection is eerily/sadly beautiful with all the white bikes of all sizes and shapes (including several kids' bikes and a folding bike) and lots of flowers.

Saw several people taking photos this morning - hopefully someone will post them.

[Eric W.]

Some are posted here:

http://whyihatedc.blogspot.com/2009/09/at-least-16-ghost-bikes-appear-at.html

I may have to ride up past DuPont to see if any are still there before I make my way home to Alexandria after work today...