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Question: How do communities with buffered or protected bike lanes plow them in the winter?

In Washington, D.C. Last year the plow drivers asked that flex posts be removed for plowing but they did a great job anyway. They also have small plows that they use for some sidewalks and tight spots. Plus we really don't get that much snow here that doesn't melt quickly anyway.

It's sort of an agreement with bike advocates that will do their best and we won't complain! When polled bike riders overwhelmingly voted for more protected lanes even if they might be blocked sometimes by snow

Jeff,thanks for the write-up. What about the section of route 1 north of Greenbelt Rd? This trail should be extended at least to the Beltway, better yet, up to Powder Mill Rd. I think the worst stretch of route 1 is between Greenbelt Rd and the Beltway - in places there is no sidewalk at all.

Purple eagle those other sections north of greenbelt road are not funded for design yet. Agree those areas are terrible. Impossible some days to cross on foot and pretty awful even for driving with the suicide turn lane in the middle.

Putting the bike lanes at grade with the sidewalk behind the curb removes the onus of snow plowing from the state. That then becomes CP's responsibility, just like clearing sidewalk along Route 1 currently is. So in sum, SHA's maintenance is reduced; the lanes are safer for cyclists; the costs are cheaper; drivers won't have to feel "threatened" by cyclists that are literally in arms reach; and the lanes will actually get used by people on bikes. And MD will be one of the last states to actually do this. At this point, if SHA continues down their current path, it's because they want to waste money and want to injure cyclists.

How do you turn left from the bike lane if it's behind the curb? How long will turning left take?

Jack you either turn with peds in the crosswalk or do a three point turn. Pull off to the right and wait for green in crossing direction

Jack,
Re: turning left - a better question is how in the world would you turn left in SHA's design? In theory, you would need to merge across 3 travel lanes - 2 thru lanes and a turn pocket. In practice, good luck with that on route 1! I would much rather cross with the walk signal. Im guessing so would most others.

It has to be on the west side because the east side is a constant stream of people turning into the various light commercial stuff (gas stations, hotel, McDonalds, Tick Tock, etc etc). Even then, I don't know how many people would earnestly use it. I would think if you could build better connections to the creek trail and perhaps upgrade it some, that it would actually be more popular.

As for a protected lane on Rt 1? Good luck, I don't see them ever caving in on that item. It's a spacing issue with how close some of those new high rises sit to the street and how certain existent commercial properties can't move back because of steep inclines down to the creek.

T -- they're buying right of way to expand the total roadway. Within that (expanded) right of way they can design the road however they want. I don't see how putting a 5 foot lane inside or outside the curb (outside please!), such as in the MIT picture above, would change the right of way requirement at all.

I'm just trying to think of how they expand the section down by the new high rises and tick tock. It seems narrow to me already.

I do think if they could connect a good bike infrastructure like this across the beltway (I know, it won't happen) that they could really get a lot more students biking from up that way.

As an avid commuter cyclist, I am here to promote the safety of others, especially students on a very busy hwy like Rt. 1. As your division works up the plans for the N & S bound expansion of Rt. 1, I’d like to request that your division consider adding buffered or protected bike lanes instead of a narrow curbside bike lane or bike shoulder to your proposed Rt. 1 plan. This would give cyclists as well as cars peace of mind knowing they won’t be running into one another.

Thanks Christine! Make sure and send your thoughts to the SHA at the addresses shown above.

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