DDOT proposes extending the 15th Street Cycletrack to Euclid

At an ANC meeting this week (as reported by GGW), DDOT presented preliminary concepts for the two blocks of 15th Street NW north of U. Currently a bike lane - on the right hand side and opposite the cycletrack - exists on 15th Street.

The new design would extend the cycletrack, still protected by parked cars, along the west side of 15th all the way to Euclid. But the extension might look different - possibly better - than what is south of U

DDOT could just build the cycle track in this intersection along the edge of the roadway, separated with poles, as with the rest of the cycle track today. Other options, though, elevate it up to sidewalk level like many European cities do. The tree boxes would still separate the track from the sidewalk, but then one of a few different curb treatments would divide it from the roadway.

At the meeting, DDOT planner Gabriela Vega said the agency was still weighing the pros and cons of the last three designs' barriers between the cycle track and the parking lane. The barriers in the last three designs all include permeable pavers that allow the ground to absorb more stormwater.

You can see these designs in the image below.

In addition to the more definitive separation between the cycletrack, sidewalk and roadway, you can see that at the intersection, the space at the end of the parking is filled with a stormwater planter. 

In addition to the extended cycletrack, the design shows bike boxes at every approach to the "Death Star" intersection and a bike lane on Florida north of W (where currently there is none). 

There are two options for how to align the intersection, but for cyclists I don't see much of a difference, though one shows painted bike boxes and the other does not, I think that might be an oversight, not a design difference. 

My only concern about this is the possibility of conflict between downhill and uphill cyclists on 15th north of W. Cyclists in one direction could be going very fast, and cyclists in the other might be looking down as they pump their way up the hill. I fear it could be an opportunity for a very bad head-on collision. Perhaps the cycletrack needs to be wider there. 

Comments

[Crin]

I agree with the concerns about downhill cyclists "not where they're expected." There have been plenty of accidents involving southbound cyclists on the flat part of the cycle track. Nothing deadly since we're talking 10 mph. What happens when the cyclist is going 25+ down that hill. Counter flow bike lanes are sophisticated. 25+ mph leaves no room for error.

[Ren]

This comment isn't based on anything beyond hunch but I ride in the 15th St. lane (track?) going northward from Penn Ave to P St. during rushhour once per week and while I have not had a collision, that 15 minutes of my commute seems to have more near-misses (mine or other's) than most. From drivers pulling across the lanes when they shouldn't to pedestrians stepping in to cyclists doing wacky things, I breathe a sigh of relief upon exit. Is it just me?

[SJE]

The pictures look like something from the new Apple Maps.

[SJE]

And where are the parked cars, joggers and dead rats?

[Sam]

The cycletrack needs to be wider everywhere.

And Ren - no, it isn't just you.

[UrbanEngineer]

Not a fan of this. To have a steep downhill bike lane terminate into an intersection nicknamed the deathstar is just asking for trouble.

Is the plan to add a bike light for the southbound cycletrack traffic and sync it with the 15th & NH traffic light?

[Edge]

"And where are the parked cars, joggers and dead rats?" What about the manhole covers that are below grade?