Dallas Road bike lane

[SteelBuns]

As discussed here and pictured here,

[SteelBuns]

Remember folks, you need to login to vote.

[Claire]

I'm not sure that knowing the "alignment" is sufficiently informative to base a position on. The only info I get from the diagram is that the "cycle track" will be on the south (ocean) side of Dallas. I'm not too keen on that unless it doesn't take away adequate room to also have bikes on the road (with a decent cushion between us and passing tourists in busses and RVs).

If anyone has more info on what else is involved here, please spill it. Will there be a separated two-way bike path PLUS a bike lane on either side? If not, will the roadway still be relatively generous to feel safe if we choose to use the road rather than the path?

To answer Martin's question - we are absolutely NOT required to use a bike path (cycle track). Bikes are always legitimate road users with the same legal entitlements to roadways as motor vehicles (unless explicitly stated otherwise, or understood - due to the roadway being designated "freeway" for example).

[SteelBuns]

I'm in a fog as much as you Claire, but on principle cast a yes. It would be good to know more. I've added an undecided option to the poll.

John

[SteelBuns]

Arg! Adding an option reset the poll numbers . (Stupid machine.) The poll numbers before I added an option were yes = 6 and yes = 3.

[mfarnham]

I agree we're not required to use separated bike lanes just because they're there. My concern is that 1) this infrastructure might narrow the car lanes such that it becomes more dangerous for cyclists to ride with traffic, should they choose to (as we would on Dallas); and 2) that the presence of separate bike infrastructure might lead drivers to act more entitled to the road (i.e., share it even less well with cyclists than they do now). "Get the %*#! off my road and go ride in your own damn lane that my tax dollars paid for!" There's a difference between where we're legally permitted to ride and how people behind the wheel view our rights.

To be clear, I'm not in principle opposed to bike lanes on Dallas. I think more bike infrastructure is good, as long it's well thought out. I just see potential unintended consequences which might be good to flag to planners.

Martin

[John D]

From today's TC: Bicycle traffic soars after new Johnson Street Bridge opens

[Lister Farrar]

From today's TC: Bicycle traffic soars after new Johnson Street Bridge opens

Interesting effect and enthusiasm after all the naysayers and second guessers. Bravo to the proponents who saw it through.

Just wondering now if we should have an accounting of the cost of all the second guessing and the political storm the council had to bear. I can see the headline now: "Monday Magazine cost bridge project $x00,000 in delays, the referendum, and added council reports."