Mat Johnson of GGW does a good job of summing up the safety issues with the Penn Ave bike lanes. When I rode it over the weekend I did come across some pedestrians in the bike lane part of the refuge and they looked at my as though I were some jerk for heading towards them. They didn't move so I moved into the lane to my right (I don't blame them, because I'm sure they were just confused). These are all legitimate issues, and Matt doesn't even address the nighttime problems.
Thanks for the link. I haven't actually ridden on the lanes at night, so I'm sure there are more issues.
Hopefully DDOT will work to resolve the issues soon.
Posted by: Matt Johnson | July 07, 2010 at 10:30 AM
I also took a little tour of the lanes and ran into (not literally) the same pedestrian problem. This seems to be the biggest issue so far.
Posted by: Aaron | July 07, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Or, cyclists could just give pedestrians the ultimate ROW like they have to by law, and that drivers also have to do.
A bike lane down PA Avenue wasn't free license for bikers to ignore all pre existing traffic laws. Follow the lights and give way to peds like everyone else does and you'll be fine.
Posted by: nookie | July 07, 2010 at 03:01 PM
@nookie: I don't think anyone is suggesting mowing down pedestrians. However, with the current setup, pedestrians are standing in the lane of traffic on a signaled intersection (against the signal).
At least in Maryland law, pedestrians are required to yield the right of way to traffic when not lawfully using a crosswalk. Pedestrians do have ultimate ROW on sidewalks, though.
Posted by: Ron Alford | July 07, 2010 at 04:39 PM
In DC pedestrians only have ultimate ROW in a crosswalk that is not controlled by a traffic signal. Outside of a crosswalk, or crossing against a signal they have to yield to traffic. A bike lane is part of the roadway, pedestrians in a bike lane are the same as in any other travel lane.
Posted by: Contrarian | July 07, 2010 at 11:41 PM