Discussion:
central bike lanes
(too old to reply)
Roger Merriman
2025-01-23 14:19:47 UTC
Permalink


Update on the street in San Francisco by “Rob the road guy” I tend to agree
that it’s the wrong solution to this location ie how do you stop for a
coffee/cake. So on.

I guess that it (having the bike lanes in the middle would work on
locations such as London Embankment where all traffic is moving though with
controlled junctions, than a shopping street where one of the advantages of
bike traffic is generally it’s easier to just stop and do some shopping and
so hence the typical curve where businesses are horrified by the idea of
segregated bike lane but once it’s installed and foot traffic increases
tend to be pro it.

Roger Merriman
AMuzi
2025-01-23 15:17:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Merriman
http://youtu.be/sfflAs-GCVc
Update on the street in San Francisco by “Rob the road guy” I tend to agree
that it’s the wrong solution to this location ie how do you stop for a
coffee/cake. So on.
I guess that it (having the bike lanes in the middle would work on
locations such as London Embankment where all traffic is moving though with
controlled junctions, than a shopping street where one of the advantages of
bike traffic is generally it’s easier to just stop and do some shopping and
so hence the typical curve where businesses are horrified by the idea of
segregated bike lane but once it’s installed and foot traffic increases
tend to be pro it.
Roger Merriman
Meh.
Guerrero Street is parallel. No problem.
--
Andrew Muzi
***@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
Frank Krygowski
2025-01-23 18:47:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by AMuzi
Post by Roger Merriman
http://youtu.be/sfflAs-GCVc
Update on the street in San Francisco by “Rob the road guy” I tend to agree
that it’s the wrong solution to this location ie how do you stop for a
coffee/cake. So on.
I guess that it (having the bike lanes in the middle would work on
locations such as London Embankment where all traffic is moving though with
controlled junctions, than a shopping street where one of the
advantages of
bike traffic is generally it’s easier to just stop and do some shopping and
so hence the typical curve where businesses are horrified by the idea of
segregated bike lane but once it’s installed and foot traffic increases
tend to be pro it.
Roger Merriman
Meh.
Guerrero Street is parallel. No problem.
I'd absolutely choose a street without the crazy infrastructure.

Before the center bike lane, the average car speed was 24 mph. If there
were no special stripes at all, a cyclist could just ride far enough
leftward to avoid the parked cars' door zone, cars could pass on the
left, bicyclists approaching intersections or driveways wouldn't be
hidden behind parked vehicles, and traffic would flow smoothly.
Especially if the "green wave" traffic light timing were maintained for
cyclist speeds.

And what's with the "parklets"? What's the rationale for letting a
restaurant take over public space on the roads? That seems weird - not
much different than letting a homeless guy set up his tent in that same
space.
--
- Frank Krygowski
Roger Merriman
2025-01-23 20:04:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Frank Krygowski
Post by AMuzi
Post by Roger Merriman
http://youtu.be/sfflAs-GCVc
Update on the street in San Francisco by “Rob the road guy” I tend to agree
that it’s the wrong solution to this location ie how do you stop for a
coffee/cake. So on.
I guess that it (having the bike lanes in the middle would work on
locations such as London Embankment where all traffic is moving though with
controlled junctions, than a shopping street where one of the advantages of
bike traffic is generally it’s easier to just stop and do some shopping and
so hence the typical curve where businesses are horrified by the idea of
segregated bike lane but once it’s installed and foot traffic increases
tend to be pro it.
Roger Merriman
Meh.
Guerrero Street is parallel. No problem.
And by looks of things quite a bit steeper, 7/9% as Valencia seems to be in
the sweet spot with the various hills and only 1% or so.

Either way been done and tried and failed to convince cyclists that they
should take back streets and be shunted off and take the long way around.

Ie clearly is a reason Guerrero and others are shunned looking at the
heatmap for the area, I’m sure it’s rideable but doesn’t seem to be folks
1st choice.
Post by Frank Krygowski
I'd absolutely choose a street without the crazy infrastructure.
Before the center bike lane, the average car speed was 24 mph. If there
were no special stripes at all, a cyclist could just ride far enough
leftward to avoid the parked cars' door zone, cars could pass on the
left, bicyclists approaching intersections or driveways wouldn't be
hidden behind parked vehicles, and traffic would flow smoothly.
Especially if the "green wave" traffic light timing were maintained for
cyclist speeds.
Looks like they will do a more conventional design at least I think that’s
what Rob reported, which should allow more foot traffic, as he noted number
of car parking will decline even if put back to as it was, as they don’t
allow parking near the junctions any more!

How that is win beggars belief!
Post by Frank Krygowski
And what's with the "parklets"? What's the rationale for letting a
restaurant take over public space on the roads? That seems weird - not
much different than letting a homeless guy set up his tent in that same
space.
It’s no more than parking a car, which is what they replace and does allow
more folks to get something from the space, they aren’t without their
issues and so on.

But rolling back kudos for trying something out! I do wonder if in some
locations it would work well, though even there not really sure what
advantages it has over a bidirectional system other than keeping more
parking etc, which i suspect is as ever the root cause of such a
interesting design as ever trying to please everyone.

Roger Merriman
Frank Krygowski
2025-01-23 21:12:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Merriman
Post by Frank Krygowski
Post by AMuzi
Post by Roger Merriman
http://youtu.be/sfflAs-GCVc
Update on the street in San Francisco by “Rob the road guy” I tend to agree
that it’s the wrong solution to this location ie how do you stop for a
coffee/cake. So on.
I guess that it (having the bike lanes in the middle would work on
locations such as London Embankment where all traffic is moving though with
controlled junctions, than a shopping street where one of the advantages of
bike traffic is generally it’s easier to just stop and do some shopping and
so hence the typical curve where businesses are horrified by the idea of
segregated bike lane but once it’s installed and foot traffic increases
tend to be pro it.
Roger Merriman
Meh.
Guerrero Street is parallel. No problem.
And by looks of things quite a bit steeper, 7/9% as Valencia seems to be in
the sweet spot with the various hills and only 1% or so.
Either way been done and tried and failed to convince cyclists that they
should take back streets and be shunted off and take the long way around.
Ie clearly is a reason Guerrero and others are shunned looking at the
heatmap for the area, I’m sure it’s rideable but doesn’t seem to be folks
1st choice.
Post by Frank Krygowski
I'd absolutely choose a street without the crazy infrastructure.
Before the center bike lane, the average car speed was 24 mph. If there
were no special stripes at all, a cyclist could just ride far enough
leftward to avoid the parked cars' door zone, cars could pass on the
left, bicyclists approaching intersections or driveways wouldn't be
hidden behind parked vehicles, and traffic would flow smoothly.
Especially if the "green wave" traffic light timing were maintained for
cyclist speeds.
Looks like they will do a more conventional design at least I think that’s
what Rob reported, which should allow more foot traffic, as he noted number
of car parking will decline even if put back to as it was, as they don’t
allow parking near the junctions any more!
How that is win beggars belief!
I don't consider "parking protected" to be a conventional design. It
took a secretive and well organized political campaign to get it
approved with no serious engineering evaluations. The earliest attempts
trying "parking protected" bike lanes were soon terminated because of
big increases in car-bike crashes. There are real hazards to hiding
bicyclists out of sight until just before crossing points.

The "daylighting" of intersections (which I've mentioned here before) is
an attempt to somewhat mitigate that hazard. But if timid cyclists
demand a sanctified place to ride, it's far better to put it where the
cyclists are visible. That should be adjacent to the normal traffic
lane, and well away from parked cars' door zone.

Even that really shouldn't be necessary. The entire "Gotta have a bike
lane!" campaign is based on unrealistic fear of being run down directly
from behind. It's not that it never happens, but it's about the rarest
type of car-bike collision - something like 3%, IIRC.

A street with average traffic speed of 24 mph needs nothing. Well, maybe
hash marks to convince the unwitting riders (um... like the guy in the
video!) to stay out of the door zone.
Post by Roger Merriman
Post by Frank Krygowski
And what's with the "parklets"? What's the rationale for letting a
restaurant take over public space on the roads? That seems weird - not
much different than letting a homeless guy set up his tent in that same
space.
It’s no more than parking a car, which is what they replace and does allow
more folks to get something from the space, they aren’t without their
issues and so on.
We could segue into parking places - as in "Why is it ever legal to
store your personal property (your car) on public property for free?"
But if they have parking meters, I'm fine with that, and it seems
Valencia does.

But back to the "parklets": It's a bit weird for business proprietors to
be complaining about lack of parking, while other business proprietors
are taking over parking places to cheaply expand their businesses.
They're squatting on public land! I assume someone passes an ordinance
allowing that, but if the traffic problems are as extreme as the video
portrays, "parklets" make no sense to me.
--
- Frank Krygowski
Roger Merriman
2025-01-23 21:28:42 UTC
Permalink
Post by Frank Krygowski
Post by Roger Merriman
Post by Frank Krygowski
Post by AMuzi
Post by Roger Merriman
http://youtu.be/sfflAs-GCVc
Update on the street in San Francisco by “Rob the road guy” I tend to agree
that it’s the wrong solution to this location ie how do you stop for a
coffee/cake. So on.
I guess that it (having the bike lanes in the middle would work on
locations such as London Embankment where all traffic is moving though with
controlled junctions, than a shopping street where one of the advantages of
bike traffic is generally it’s easier to just stop and do some shopping and
so hence the typical curve where businesses are horrified by the idea of
segregated bike lane but once it’s installed and foot traffic increases
tend to be pro it.
Roger Merriman
Meh.
Guerrero Street is parallel. No problem.
And by looks of things quite a bit steeper, 7/9% as Valencia seems to be in
the sweet spot with the various hills and only 1% or so.
Either way been done and tried and failed to convince cyclists that they
should take back streets and be shunted off and take the long way around.
Ie clearly is a reason Guerrero and others are shunned looking at the
heatmap for the area, I’m sure it’s rideable but doesn’t seem to be folks
1st choice.
Post by Frank Krygowski
I'd absolutely choose a street without the crazy infrastructure.
Before the center bike lane, the average car speed was 24 mph. If there
were no special stripes at all, a cyclist could just ride far enough
leftward to avoid the parked cars' door zone, cars could pass on the
left, bicyclists approaching intersections or driveways wouldn't be
hidden behind parked vehicles, and traffic would flow smoothly.
Especially if the "green wave" traffic light timing were maintained for
cyclist speeds.
Looks like they will do a more conventional design at least I think that’s
what Rob reported, which should allow more foot traffic, as he noted number
of car parking will decline even if put back to as it was, as they don’t
allow parking near the junctions any more!
How that is win beggars belief!
I don't consider "parking protected" to be a conventional design. It
took a secretive and well organized political campaign to get it
approved with no serious engineering evaluations. The earliest attempts
trying "parking protected" bike lanes were soon terminated because of
big increases in car-bike crashes. There are real hazards to hiding
bicyclists out of sight until just before crossing points.
I ment a bike lane on the sides of the road ie next to or I guess past the
kerb, rather than down the middle which definitely isn’t conventional!
Post by Frank Krygowski
The "daylighting" of intersections (which I've mentioned here before) is
an attempt to somewhat mitigate that hazard. But if timid cyclists
demand a sanctified place to ride, it's far better to put it where the
cyclists are visible. That should be adjacent to the normal traffic
lane, and well away from parked cars' door zone.
Even that really shouldn't be necessary. The entire "Gotta have a bike
lane!" campaign is based on unrealistic fear of being run down directly
from behind. It's not that it never happens, but it's about the rarest
type of car-bike collision - something like 3%, IIRC.
A street with average traffic speed of 24 mph needs nothing. Well, maybe
hash marks to convince the unwitting riders (um... like the guy in the
video!) to stay out of the door zone.
Post by Roger Merriman
Post by Frank Krygowski
And what's with the "parklets"? What's the rationale for letting a
restaurant take over public space on the roads? That seems weird - not
much different than letting a homeless guy set up his tent in that same
space.
It’s no more than parking a car, which is what they replace and does allow
more folks to get something from the space, they aren’t without their
issues and so on.
We could segue into parking places - as in "Why is it ever legal to
store your personal property (your car) on public property for free?"
But if they have parking meters, I'm fine with that, and it seems
Valencia does.
But back to the "parklets": It's a bit weird for business proprietors to
be complaining about lack of parking, while other business proprietors
are taking over parking places to cheaply expand their businesses.
They're squatting on public land! I assume someone passes an ordinance
allowing that, but if the traffic problems are as extreme as the video
portrays, "parklets" make no sense to me.
There are number of claims regarding that bike lane that are curious to be
honest but probably not answerable or at least by us at least.

Roger Merriman
AMuzi
2025-01-23 23:29:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Roger Merriman
Post by Frank Krygowski
Post by Roger Merriman
Post by Frank Krygowski
Post by AMuzi
Post by Roger Merriman
http://youtu.be/sfflAs-GCVc
Update on the street in San Francisco by “Rob the road guy” I tend to agree
that it’s the wrong solution to this location ie how do you stop for a
coffee/cake. So on.
I guess that it (having the bike lanes in the middle would work on
locations such as London Embankment where all traffic is moving though with
controlled junctions, than a shopping street where one of the advantages of
bike traffic is generally it’s easier to just stop and do some shopping and
so hence the typical curve where businesses are horrified by the idea of
segregated bike lane but once it’s installed and foot traffic increases
tend to be pro it.
Roger Merriman
Meh.
Guerrero Street is parallel. No problem.
And by looks of things quite a bit steeper, 7/9% as Valencia seems to be in
the sweet spot with the various hills and only 1% or so.
Either way been done and tried and failed to convince cyclists that they
should take back streets and be shunted off and take the long way around.
Ie clearly is a reason Guerrero and others are shunned looking at the
heatmap for the area, I’m sure it’s rideable but doesn’t seem to be folks
1st choice.
Post by Frank Krygowski
I'd absolutely choose a street without the crazy infrastructure.
Before the center bike lane, the average car speed was 24 mph. If there
were no special stripes at all, a cyclist could just ride far enough
leftward to avoid the parked cars' door zone, cars could pass on the
left, bicyclists approaching intersections or driveways wouldn't be
hidden behind parked vehicles, and traffic would flow smoothly.
Especially if the "green wave" traffic light timing were maintained for
cyclist speeds.
Looks like they will do a more conventional design at least I think that’s
what Rob reported, which should allow more foot traffic, as he noted number
of car parking will decline even if put back to as it was, as they don’t
allow parking near the junctions any more!
How that is win beggars belief!
I don't consider "parking protected" to be a conventional design. It
took a secretive and well organized political campaign to get it
approved with no serious engineering evaluations. The earliest attempts
trying "parking protected" bike lanes were soon terminated because of
big increases in car-bike crashes. There are real hazards to hiding
bicyclists out of sight until just before crossing points.
I ment a bike lane on the sides of the road ie next to or I guess past the
kerb, rather than down the middle which definitely isn’t conventional!
Post by Frank Krygowski
The "daylighting" of intersections (which I've mentioned here before) is
an attempt to somewhat mitigate that hazard. But if timid cyclists
demand a sanctified place to ride, it's far better to put it where the
cyclists are visible. That should be adjacent to the normal traffic
lane, and well away from parked cars' door zone.
Even that really shouldn't be necessary. The entire "Gotta have a bike
lane!" campaign is based on unrealistic fear of being run down directly
from behind. It's not that it never happens, but it's about the rarest
type of car-bike collision - something like 3%, IIRC.
A street with average traffic speed of 24 mph needs nothing. Well, maybe
hash marks to convince the unwitting riders (um... like the guy in the
video!) to stay out of the door zone.
Post by Roger Merriman
Post by Frank Krygowski
And what's with the "parklets"? What's the rationale for letting a
restaurant take over public space on the roads? That seems weird - not
much different than letting a homeless guy set up his tent in that same
space.
It’s no more than parking a car, which is what they replace and does allow
more folks to get something from the space, they aren’t without their
issues and so on.
We could segue into parking places - as in "Why is it ever legal to
store your personal property (your car) on public property for free?"
But if they have parking meters, I'm fine with that, and it seems
Valencia does.
But back to the "parklets": It's a bit weird for business proprietors to
be complaining about lack of parking, while other business proprietors
are taking over parking places to cheaply expand their businesses.
They're squatting on public land! I assume someone passes an ordinance
allowing that, but if the traffic problems are as extreme as the video
portrays, "parklets" make no sense to me.
There are number of claims regarding that bike lane that are curious to be
honest but probably not answerable or at least by us at least.
Roger Merriman
+1 to that!
We'd have to think like a City of San Francisco employee
[shudder]
--
Andrew Muzi
***@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
Roger Merriman
2025-01-23 19:31:15 UTC
Permalink
Post by AMuzi
Post by Roger Merriman
http://youtu.be/sfflAs-GCVc
Update on the street in San Francisco by “Rob the road guy” I tend to agree
that it’s the wrong solution to this location ie how do you stop for a
coffee/cake. So on.
I guess that it (having the bike lanes in the middle would work on
locations such as London Embankment where all traffic is moving though with
controlled junctions, than a shopping street where one of the advantages of
bike traffic is generally it’s easier to just stop and do some shopping and
so hence the typical curve where businesses are horrified by the idea of
segregated bike lane but once it’s installed and foot traffic increases
tend to be pro it.
Roger Merriman
Meh.
Guerrero Street is parallel. No problem.
Apparently it’s steeper, or rather this street has the gentlest grade which
is one reason it’s favoured by cyclists, though can’t say I’ve ridden it or
likely to any time soon!

Roger Merriman
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