Comments on: An Open Letter to the City of St. Louis http://commutestlouis.com/2012/04/an-open-letter-to-the-city-of-st-louis/ Encouragement, Education & Advocacy for Bicycling in the Real World Fri, 03 May 2013 13:21:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: The Touring Cyclist http://commutestlouis.com/2012/04/an-open-letter-to-the-city-of-st-louis/#comment-1147 The Touring Cyclist Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:54:36 +0000 http://commutestlouis.com/?p=995#comment-1147 We are glad to see the St. Louis area developing street access for commuters.

]]> By: Martin Pion http://commutestlouis.com/2012/04/an-open-letter-to-the-city-of-st-louis/#comment-990 Martin Pion Fri, 06 Apr 2012 01:04:11 +0000 http://commutestlouis.com/?p=995#comment-990 I agree with Mighk Wilson and would add the following comments:
There aren’t many wide lanes on major arterials in St. Louis County, where I reside, thanks to the systematic policy by St. Louis County Highways and Traffic Department , which controls most of such roads, of converting 4-lane roads with shareable curb lanes to 5-lane roads with a center left-turn-only lane. This was to avoid motorists in the inside lane from having to wait behind left-turning motorists.
Before such a conversion of a major north-south route near my home with a 35 mph speed limit I bicycled along it and never felt uncomfortable.
My view of lane position on 4-lane arterials has evolved so that with 12 ft. lanes I now feel confident controlling the lane, rather than trying to share it, which is far less pleasant.
That mode of operation has been validated by what I’ve learned attending CyclingSavvy courses, both here and in Orlando, Florida.
With regard to Karen’s letter on the subject of bike lanes on bridges, at one time I would have considered that situation the ONE where they could be used without prejudice to cyclists, since turning movements can’t occur. However, I agree with Karen’s other criticisms of them regarding accumulation of debris and issues like drain grates and possible seams which render this part of the road less satisfactory for cycling.
I’ve used Google maps to examine closely the bicycle lane on US Route 67 over the Clark Bridge leading into Alton from North St. Louis County. The lane is separated from the travel lane by a cross-hatched area wider than the bike lane but even so I noticed an accumulation of debris, as I did when driving over it on occasions. (Note: When I just rechecked Google maps the bike lane appeared to be free of debris so maybe it is swept on occasions.)
If the lane is widened sufficiently, as Karen recommends, to allow safe and comfortable sharing by both bicyclists and motor vehicles, including large commercial vehicles, that works to everyone’s advantage.

]]> By: Karen http://commutestlouis.com/2012/04/an-open-letter-to-the-city-of-st-louis/#comment-989 Karen Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:08:18 +0000 http://commutestlouis.com/?p=995#comment-989 While I’m not the litigious sort, I know exactly what you mean, Joe. We have used those very lanes in a CyclingSavvy course to demonstrate how dangerous bike lanes can be. We also show people how to use them safely, with awareness and caution.

I can usually avoid them by choosing another route. It’s great to live in a city built on a pre-automotive grid: Lots of lovely routes to choose from!

]]> By: Joe http://commutestlouis.com/2012/04/an-open-letter-to-the-city-of-st-louis/#comment-988 Joe Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:27:44 +0000 http://commutestlouis.com/?p=995#comment-988 What someone should do is SUE the city for the existing bike lane on South Grand from Shaw to Arsenal. Too narrow, too filled with road debris, too close to parked cars & Lord help the cyclist if a small truck or delivery vehicle is parked next to the curb. They hang waaaaay out over the white line. Anybody want to join me in a lawsuit?

]]> By: Mighk Wilson http://commutestlouis.com/2012/04/an-open-letter-to-the-city-of-st-louis/#comment-984 Mighk Wilson Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:28:19 +0000 http://commutestlouis.com/?p=995#comment-984 Chris: my observations of motorist behavior in wide lanes is the opposite of what you suggest. They quite consistently move to the left side of the lane to pass. It’s when they have a bike lane stripe to their right that they tend to center themselves in their lane.

]]> By: Chris Cleeland http://commutestlouis.com/2012/04/an-open-letter-to-the-city-of-st-louis/#comment-983 Chris Cleeland Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:22:05 +0000 http://commutestlouis.com/?p=995#comment-983 Although I’m not a bike lane advocate, I will post a counterpoint to the “extra wide lane” suggestion: motorists take up as much space as you give them. Many drivers will sit in the MIDDLE of the lane, and will not hug the left line edge. Thus, an extra wide lane can serve as an invitation to motorists to give cyclists LESS room.

I think that in some circumstances lanes can serve a legit purpose. I’m not certain that the bridge is the right place, but I’m pretty sure that the extra-wide lane ISN’T the right answer.

What I hope is that the city will use creativity and look at the situation and adapt proven solutions to the situation.

]]> By: Karen http://commutestlouis.com/2012/04/an-open-letter-to-the-city-of-st-louis/#comment-982 Karen Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:07:20 +0000 http://commutestlouis.com/?p=995#comment-982 Thank you, Eliot!

]]> By: Eliot Landrum http://commutestlouis.com/2012/04/an-open-letter-to-the-city-of-st-louis/#comment-981 Eliot Landrum Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:41:40 +0000 http://commutestlouis.com/?p=995#comment-981 Great job, Karen!

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