The new Pennsylvania Avenue bike lanes might work well in the daytime, when there are long sightlines, but at night, that is no longer the case and the addition of reflective pylons - while welcome - brings back the question of why the lanes need to be narrowed.
Last night on my way home I decided to swing by the Pennsylvania Avenue Bike Lanes to see how they were coming along. I had wanted to go during the day, because they photograph better, but hadn't had a chance. I'm glad I got out there at night instead.
The big change I saw involved the reflective, flexible pylons. This is a very welcome addition. It will go a long way to remove the confusion that cars were having with the bike lanes and should provide cyclists with added safety. Normally I don't think of bike lanes as a large safety enhancement, but with pylons like these that changes. Of course, it begs the question: if DDOT was willing to ignore the CFA and add pylons to make the lanes safer, why did the bike lanes need to be narrowed. Couldn't we have just added the pylons to the original design, and would that not have kept cars out of the bike lane?
Then I noticed an issue. Riding along the bike lanes at night, I found it very hard to see pedestrians at the islands. In the day it is quite easy, but at night, in addition to the darkness itself, the headlights of the oncoming cars make it difficult to see. Crossing one intersection, I did not detect three pedestrians in the refuge until I was about 4 feet away. Had one stepped forward one step I probably would have hit them. Approaching an intersection is OK, but on the far side, the pedestrians have to stand behind the streetlight, which is low and has signs starting a foot or two above the ground - add in the bollards, the darkness and the oncoming headlights - and several people could be standing there almost invisible. And having it be after the intersection - when a cyclist is most likely to be focused on cars to the right - doesn't help.
I know the lanes are not finished or open, [it didn't keep me from seeing a dozen cyclists out there when I was - I think we'll see these lanes way exceed the previous counts done in October - or hear about certain Council Members riding them] but I'm not sure what additions will be done between now and opening time to address this. Has anyone else ridden them at night (or any other time) and noticed issues?
I used them during my commute this morning. Not bad except for one car that decided to pull over and stop blocking the lanes in both directions near near 14th St. I can see how pedestrians at night could be a problem, because there doesn't seem to be enough room for cyclists and peds in the intersections during the day.
Posted by: Ari | June 18, 2010 at 01:00 PM
I rode them the night before last, just as it was almost dark. i had only ridden them a few times before, and only during the day. the new striping seemed a lot straighter, which i liked, but at the intersections, riding over the cobblestone refuges definitely felt like i was riding where i wasn't supposed to be (tho i didnt encounter any pedestrians in the refuge).
the elimination of the turning lanes (for cyclists) in the new configuration also seems less than ideal -- there are indications to use the crosswalk for turns, but not a lot of space to pull over while waiting (even without pedestrians).
the bollards are great -- and i agree that they would have been a great addition to the previous design.
Posted by: jj | June 18, 2010 at 02:08 PM
I've been using the lanes during the evening rush hour. Haven't used them at night yet.
I've posted before my dislike of the revised configuration.
I've yet to see the tortuous gridlock that AAA believes exists on Pa Ave. Every trip I've made down the avenue the traffic lanes have only light automobile traffic. And some of this time was when a lane was still blocked off.
I'm no expert on traffic in the city but I ride through downtown everyday at rush hour and it seems to me that the issue for drivers is more the north-south roads (especially leading to the VA bridges).
Every ride so far I encountered pedestrians / cyclists stopped in the median and blocking the imperceptible bike lanes.
Yesterday for the length of a full block I bore down on a pedestrian. Despite my unwavering approach he seemed completely unfazed. So I slowed down, checked over my shoulder, and moved into the traffic lane to pass. As I passed I asked how he liked the new bike lanes. "Greatest thing in the world" was his reply. I'm sure he had absolutely no clue he was standing dead center in the bike lane.
Washcycle is right that at night the chances of hitting someone will be much greater.
I've also have twice seen cars making illegal U-turns mid-block through the bike lanes. Boths times halting my progress. I think under the old configuration the wider median might have discouraged this.
Posted by: JeffB | June 18, 2010 at 07:13 PM
Mandatory lights for pedestrians!
I really dont understand the new pylons. The biggest objection was the AMAZING sight lines that had to be maintained. Why couldnt they have painted it green in round 1 if they were willing to install these things?
Posted by: J | June 19, 2010 at 02:54 AM
I'm still confused by these bike lanes - several photos and plans all show them with left turn lanes, and center bike lanes to the left of left turn only lanes. Won't some motorists missing bicyclist approaching from behind if they are looking for oncoming traffic? Are left turning motorists (in either direction) required to yield to bicyclists going straight?
Posted by: Angelo | June 19, 2010 at 05:14 PM
In short, yes. Drivers can only go left when they have the arrow, at which point cyclists can not go straight. So there should be no shared space issues, unless someone breaks the law. Luckily, drivers in DC always follow the law, unlike scofflaw cyclists.
Posted by: washcycle | June 19, 2010 at 05:28 PM
In other words, the same signal situation found in areas with trains running in the median.
From my experience in Boston, twice a year someone turns left illegally and hits a train. Of course, this doesnt count how many people turn left illegally when no train is present.
In other words....be extra careful on your bikes at intersections guys!
Posted by: J | June 19, 2010 at 08:17 PM
maybe something like this is what is needed...
http://www.streetfilms.org/seattle-crosswalk-tap-foot-lights-blink-cross-street/#more-1344
I think it is a brilliant idea and with a little redesign for bike tires I imagine it would work too. Even during the day time it would be especially useful in many places...
Posted by: John Pelletier | June 19, 2010 at 09:48 PM