Advocacy & Safety - Share the Road in Construction Zones

Hello,

Thought that I would get some feedback from cyclists about the above subject title. I work with a County Agency that is tring to obtain better compliance with motorists when roadways are under construction and the paved shoulder/bikelane is not available due to widening and there are no alternate detour route available for cyclists. In this case the cyclist has no choice other than Share the Road. Normally we will post C17 signs along with the Share the Road signage. The C17 sign indicates the revised speed limit during construction. It is not an ordinanced speed. It is simply a speed reduction while the construction is in progress. This sign is used day or night. Construction obstructions may be in place at night even while no workers are present (like K Rail). The question is, does anyone have comments as to the effectiveness of such reduced speed signs used alongside Share the Road?

A few thoughts about making the mix safer....

Temporary signs put up in the construction zone that say, "Bicyclsts able to take entire lane" or words to that effect.

After the lane narrows, make it tougher to maintain speed, with thing like 'weaving' amongst cones, barrels, and such.

Flashing lights attached to the reduced speed limit signs (you may already have those, I don't know).

Temporary signs put up in the construction zone that say, "Bicyclsts able to take entire lane" or words to that effect.




+1

Remove the "share the road" signs. Many, maybe most, motorist think they mean for the cyclist to get the hell out of the motorist way.

Put signs up that say "CYCLIST USE FULL LANE" and "NO PASSING".

Make the initial funnel to the lane very narrow to slow traffic, then open it up to the amount you are able for debris avoidance.

PS - The "CYCLIST MAY USE FULL LANE" sign is now included in the 2009 MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) approved on December 16, 2009.

A R4-11 sign above a R4-1 sign should get the message across.

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009/part9.pdf

I like riding through construction zones. It is usually obvious to all that there is not enough room to share the lane, and motorists are going slower than they would be otherwise. Yes, "cyclists take the full lane" signs are best.

Just don't do what our city engineer ordered: signs saying "Bike Lane Closed" "Cyclists Dismount, Use Sidewalk".

Yes, I did complain, and the signs were taken down.

You got some good suggestions here, I might add if at all possible add a place or two for cyclists to pull out of traffic (I'm thinking far side of intersections) for really long construction zones. I was on a 5 mile barricaded construction zone and it got rather unpleasant after awhile. It could be as simple as removing a barricade or two.

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009/part9.pdf

Thanks for the link. The R15-8 is a serious hoot.

I like riding through construction zones. It is usually obvious to all that there is not enough room to share the lane, and motorists are going slower than they would be otherwise. Yes, "cyclists take the full lane" signs are best.
Same for me.

+1 What CB HI said. It's amazing to me how many car drivers see the "share the road" sign with a picture of a bicycle, and read that as "it says that bicycles should get the hell out of the way of cars"

Use standard signage "bicycles may use full lane" if there's no alternative. Most of the folks here would go ahead and take the lane, but timid cyclists might try to cringe near the curb/barrier, and they're in serious danger there as cars may try to squeeze past. Let the cyclists know that they should take the full lane, and the car drivers know that it's OK for the cyclists to do so.

Drivers need to understand that "share the road" does not always mean share the lane.

Are the "BICYCLES MAY USE FULL LANE" signs at all common? I've yet to see one in person.

I ride through a major construction area in which the shoulers/bike lanes are gone and the best way through it for a cyclist is taking then entire narrow, itty bitty lane.

There is a sign posted at the construction area that clearly states "Bicycles in Roadway." Never had a problem there.

Drivers need to understand that "share the road" does not always mean share the lane.
Are the "BICYCLES MAY USE FULL LANE" signs at all common? I've yet to see one in person.Thankfully, that sign is no longer a standard. Try to get them removed as soon as possible.

"BICYCLES MAY USE FULL LANE" sign is a new addition to the 2009 MUTCD issued in DEC 2009. It is now a standard sign, so push to have them put up where needed. Only a couple of cities that I know of use other variations of the sign.

Thankfully, that sign is no longer a standard. Try to get them removed as soon as possible.

Are you referring to the "Share the Road" sign? Some of these were just installed last week on a section of my work commute. I suspect that the temporary closing of a nearby section of MUP prompted it.

I would take MAY out of it. Unambiguously say BICYCLES USE FULL LANE.

When we had construction around here, I took the lane. The cars dealt with it but weren't happy. If that sign had been there at least I would have had a little more cover.

R4-11 is the most appropriate sign for the described conditions.

I would take MAY out of it. Unambiguously say BICYCLES USE FULL LANE.

When we had construction around here, I took the lane. The cars dealt with it but weren't happy. If that sign had been there at least I would have had a little more cover.I agree, but that is not what is currently in the MUTCD.

Are you referring to the "Share the Road" sign? Some of these were just installed last week on a section of my work commute. I suspect that the temporary closing of a nearby section of MUP prompted it.Yes.

I guess they felt they needed to use them before anyone realized that they are no longer the recognized standard.