Tag: protected bike lanes

The Verdict on Protected Bike Lanes

Posted on by robbie

New York City traffic can be brutal, and adding bike lanes had some locals concerned it would only add to the congested Manhattan streets. But the protected bike lanes has actually improved traffic flow, according to a new report from the city.
The city’s Department of Transportation amassed empirical data on the 30 miles of protected bicycle lanes added across the city since 2007, finding that the bike-friendly paths are a boon to both reducing traffic and pedestrian safety.
The report found that some streets with the newfangled lanes are now faster, due in part to a safety feature requiring cars turning left to wait in a pocket. The new design reduces risk of cars hitting pedestrians and also eliminates cars blocking traffic while waiting to turn.

“Having that left turning area, where you’re able to get out of the flow, you can see the cyclist, the cyclist can see the turning vehicle, you can pause and not feel the pressure from behind to make a quick movement,” says Josh Benson, director of bicycle and pedestrian programs for the city’s Department of Transportation. “That’s a major major safety feature of these type of bike lanes. But it also helps the flow.”

Safety is one of the biggest benefits of adding the lanes, as pedestrian injuries have dropped 22 percent while total injuries are down 20 percent. Crashes with injuries have also decreased by 17 percent. One possible reason why: The bike lanes have shortened crosswalks and made them more visible to drivers.

More interestingly, the city points out the bike lanes have been economically beneficial. Local businesses on streets redesigned with the paths saw an uptick in retail sales and have been associated with more jobs and more tourism foot traffic.

For the city’s anti-cyclists, the new report means the bike safety program is here to stay.

“It’s our plan to do five miles of protected bike lanes every year going forward,” Benson tells Fast Company. “That’s actually about 100 city blocks of protected bike lanes, so that’s a huge chunk of city streets every year.”

But as the report reveals, adding bike lanes is beneficial for every type of transportation on New York’s crowded streets. Next time you’re grumbling about passing cyclists, remember, they’re helping you move faster.

MORE: Here’s a Simple Way to Get Your Community Interested in Better Bike Lanes

This Intersection Redesign Isn’t Just a Bicyclist’s Dream. It Could Save Lives

Posted on by robbie

Even though more and more bike lanes are popping up along our roads, cyclists are entirely exposed when they’re crossing the street. But thanks to a recent proposal from Portland-based urban planner Nick Falbo, our roads may soon be much safer.
Following the model of bike-friendly Dutch roads, Falbo illustrates his vision of a protected intersection in the video above that allows riders to be physically separated from motorists even at crossings. It includes features such as a corner refuge island, a stop bar for bicyclists to yield to pedestrians, increased visibility of bikers for motorists, and allows for shorter distances to pedal across the street. “Take it together, these design elements create a safe, clear experience for all people using the street,” Falbo says in the video.
Biking is great for our cities. It promotes health, reduces traffic congestion, and it’s much better for the environment. But the road can be a dangerous place for bicyclists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,more than 700 cyclists were killed and 49,000 were injured in traffic on American streets in 2012. Protected intersections could help keep our roads safe and encourage cycling. You can learn more about Falbo’s vision on his website.
MORE: Here’s a Simple Way to Get Your Community Interested in Better Bike Lanes
 

Here’s a Simple Way to Get Your Community Interested in Better Bike Lanes

Posted on by robbie

Biking around town would be a lot more enjoyable if it weren’t for the constant fear of cars speeding by. In Minneapolis, a community coalition called Bikeways for Everyone is hoping to get more cyclists on the street by building 30 miles of protected bike lanes — dedicated zones that put a physical barrier between car traffic and riders — by 2020. These bikeways, also known as “cycle tracks,” not only provide bikers with safer places to ride, but also create more pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and opportunities for appealing greenspace. In commercial areas, these types of lanes also promote local businesses by increasing foot traffic. According to a study from the New York Department of Transportation, businesses along 9th Avenue in New York City, where the country’s first protected bike lane was constructed, saw an increase of 49 percent in retail sales. But then again, this should come as no surprise given research that bike riders spend more at local businesses, simply because it’s easier for them to hop off a bike than it is to park a car.
MORE: What Has Two Wheels, Two Pedals and Can Boost the Economy?
While Minneapolis has incorporated elements of protected bike lanes into some areas, the city has yet to construct one that is a fully functioning. Plans to build a protected bikeway downtown on Washington Avenue are waiting to be approved (construction would start in 2015), so in the meantime, Bikeways for Everyone decided to test the waters and get the public on board. Last summer, volunteers gathered together to construct 15 plywood planters and set them up at each of the city’s four Open Streets events, creating a “pop-up” protected bike lane. Volunteers flagged bikers to ride through the protected area, and at the end, asked them to sign a petition to create permanent lanes like these across the city. “You don’t need a whole lot of space to get the point across that you have a space to ride your bike that’s protected from cars and pedestrians,” Andrew Kuncel, one of the event organizers, told People for Bikes.
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The demonstration cost about $600, but can be done for a lot less using cheaper materials, and can be implemented in any city (with local approval, of course). The idea is to show citizens how nice — and safe — bike riding can be, even in areas that are predominantly car-friendly, and encourage them to advocate for protected bike lanes in their cities. “My vision is that this campaign is successful, we have 30 miles of protected bikeway, and I can bring my kid everywhere we need to go … on a bike,” says Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition President Molly Sullivan. “And that bicycle ridership increases throughout the city so much so that the city says, ‘This is not a ‘nice to have.’ This is a ‘need to have.'”
MORE: 9 Surprising Infrastructure Innovations Happening Right Here in America