Commuting - What am I supposed to do here?

I'm hoping this is just a transitional state soon to be replaced by something that makes more sense, but one of the roads on my commute was recently resurfaced and when they re-painted the lane markers they transformed what was already one of the most challenging spots in my commute into an absolute death trap.

The situation: I'm heading east on SW Baseline Road in Aloha. Just after SW Baseline passes SW 185th, the right lane veers off to loop around and let people head north on 185th. Where it does this, there's a little traffic island where people coming the other way around this bend merge onto Baseline. It used to be that the next-to-rightmost lane also had the option of veering right, or cars there could go straight and pass the island. This was ridiculous, of course, but I could generally work around it by staying in the bike lane until I got to a bit of sidewalk that provided a safe way to get across this absurd traffic island.

A picture might help (borrowed from Google maps).

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8148951670_fee1d0e4f3_c.jpg

So, as I said, when they re-surfaced the roads, they changed the lane striping. Now only one lane has the option of swinging off to the right, BUT the bike lane abruptly moves from the right side of the turning lane to the left side of the turning lane AS cars are making the transition to turn right, including people from the middle lane who realized at the last minute that they need to turn or people turning left from southbound 185th and cutting across all eastbound lanes on Baseline.

Here's what it looks like now.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8148920675_85918ab840_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26382505@N08/8148920675/sizes/k/in/photostream/)

Here's another shot for additional perspective.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8148951426_f3fb2462c7_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26382505@N08/8148951426/sizes/k/in/photostream/)

To really understand what I'm freaked out about, compare the location of the yellow car in the first picture to where it is in the second picture to get an idea of how long it takes for a bus to occupy the space a bike needs to get across to the new bike lane location. The speed limit here is 45 mph, but the bus was probably going a little faster trying to beat the light (notice it's red in the second picture).

This is a bit hazardous in full daylight, but with daylight savings time about to end and the non-stop rainy season upon us, this spot is going to be awful.

What would you do in this situation?

merge into the turning lane before where the bus is, then get in the bike lane.

if the light is red, it's a piece of cake.

however, you'll have to hope for low traffic density is the light is green, because you'll have to "take the lane" earlier :(

merge into the turning lane before where the bus is, then get in the bike lane.

if the light is red, it's a piece of cake.

however, you'll have to hope for low traffic density is the light is green, because you'll have to "take the lane" earlier :(

If the light is red, I'm on the other side of the intersection at 185h. These pictures were taken from a traffic island on the east side of 185th. And traffic density is rarely low when I come through here. These pictures were taken at about 1:30 PM. I usually come through between 5:30 and 6:30 PM when half the county is driving home.

I've tried to figure out a way to take the lane. The best I've come up with is to do it on the other side of the intersection. Even that's not easy in heavy traffic.

If the light is red, I'm on the other side of the intersection at 185h. These pictures were taken from a traffic island on the east side of 185th. And traffic density is rarely low when I come through here. These pictures were taken at about 1:30 PM. I usually come through between 5:30 and 6:30 PM when half the county is driving home.

I've tried to figure out a way to take the lane. The best I've come up with is to do it on the other side of the intersection. Even that's not easy in heavy traffic.

to be honest, it looks like a nightmare :(

Yeah, I'm looking for alternate routes, but this area is so full of cul-de-sacs and strip malls that there aren't a lot of alternatives.

I've tried to figure out a way to take the lane. The best I've come up with is to do it on the other side of the intersection. Even that's not easy in heavy traffic.

It may not be easy to think about but it is easy to do. I ride the same area and I haven't come that far East yet lately but I wouldn't be afraid to take the lane anywhere in PDX Metro. Where I used to live the cars would actively speed up and force you out if you tried it. I haven't seen that kind of squeeze play at work out here. I don't like to do it, its admitting, to the second class status of bicycles but there is the odd intersection where its actually quicker to make a right turn, do a quick u-ie and go left with the cross traffic. YMMV.

H

Have you forwarded this information to the proper (no)planning authorities?

Take pics and voice your concerns with the appropriate alphabet soup agency. Who designed (and signed off on) this little bit of fanciful lunacy should seek mental health professionals pronto.

In the meantime, I take it rerouting isn't a valid option?

Start looking for a spot to take the lane well in advance, stick your arm out and start riding there so you can end up on the bike lane to go straight. If you Re not comfortable dong this you can also wait on the sidewalk by the trafic light untill it turns red.

Start looking for a spot to take the lane well in advance, stick your arm out and start riding there so you can end up on the bike lane to go straight. If you Re not comfortable dong this you can also wait on the sidewalk by the trafic light untill it turns red.

+1
Take the lane and use the light to your advantage. I've got some bad spots in my commute where it makes the most sense to accept a red light only to jump it 5-10seconds later when crossing traffic clears (always does, traffic timing mechanism). I'm sure you will learn some trick to navigate this area safely.

Start looking for a spot to take the lane well in advance, stick your arm out and start riding there so you can end up on the bike lane to go straight. If you Re not comfortable dong this you can also wait on the sidewalk by the trafic light untill it turns red.
I'll also give the +1 to sticking your arm out to merge. One or two people might pass you, but the one who lets you in will not tailgate you through the whole intersection. When you stick your arm out, sit up and deliberately turn around to look at the people passing you - showing your face humanizes you and makes others less likely to deliberately try and blow past you.

Also, after I signal and someone lets me in, I always wave. It takes the edge off.

I've also heard it helps if you are a young, hot girl.

Take pics and voice your concerns with the appropriate alphabet soup agency. Who designed (and signed off on) this little bit of fanciful lunacy should seek mental health professionals pronto.

In the meantime, I take it rerouting isn't a valid option?

This must be the same guy that has the bike lane on 2nd Avenue as a shared lane with the Midtown Tunnel turn lane. The only bright side of the hurricane is that the tunnel is closed and there's no turning traffic. It's a left side lane, and I always stay on the right because you can't get into the traffic. At least like all Manhattan traffic nothing moves all that fast.

Have you forwarded this information to the proper (no)planning authorities?

Yeah, I sent a problem report via the website today. They're usually pretty good about responding at least.

Can you take a right either at that intersection or before it, then a left off of SW 185th followed by another left to get back to SW Baseline? I won't hesitate to ride longer to be safer.

Another good reason to have an obnoxiously bright rear blinkie, especially as this is new and DST is ending.

Try an alternative road if not then ride on the sidewalk it's better to have a fine from time to time than risk dying

Yeah, I'm looking for alternate routes, but this area is so full of cul-de-sacs and strip malls that there aren't a lot of alternatives.

Well, seems that you are doing exactly what I'd recommend - look for an alternate route, then find other commuters to get a petition effort underway.

Whatever way you go, make sure you have some good blinky lights working at all times, front and rear. In that kind of envoirment, it is real important that you be seen. Just my opinion.. ;)

Whatever way you go, make sure you have some good blinky lights working at all times, front and rear. In that kind of envoirment, it is real important that you be seen. Just my opinion.. ;)

blinky lights don't do much against distracted or drunk drivers but it's a good start

I agree with scroca. There should then be a syncronized crosswalk light accross that island where the cars make the last right turn. There is NO other possible simple and safe solution. I would say it's worse than a highway merge lane.

As is, they really only moved the double turn lane to infront of the light. Better but you still must cross 2 right turn lanes one at a time.
I would head for the left of the must turn lane, close to the lines, before the light (but not very far ahead). Don't stay in the middle of the lane. If the light is red while riding up the shoulder, cut behind the first car if possible. Else, make eye contact with the front driver.
Crossing the intersection, I would then head for the CURB until figuring out who is turning, and or wait for the red light. I would probably keep the lane by the curb to near the end of that next block and have a cars must yeild sign. Even if you knew the first 3 cars were going straight from the light, it's still a bit far to the safety of the inside bike lane.

Another possible design would be a bike box in front of the second lane, before the light. Extend the left side bike lane closer behind the light. Have controls to stop right turns the first 2/3 of the red light phase for bikes to enter the box (or go totally across with peds). Have a bike only pre-start for 2 secs to get to the bike lane on the other side. Allow NO other thru bike movements. Good luck with that. Otherwise right turns OK either bike or car. Then what about after hours ...

PS : No lights/sirens will make a speck of additional difference here.

Can you take a right either at that intersection or before it, then a left off of SW 185th followed by another left to get back to SW Baseline? I won't hesitate to ride longer to be safer.

You'd think so, wouldn't you? But no. There's one left turn off of 185th that comes back around to Baseline that would only add a mile, but there's no light for that turn and 185th has two lanes of traffic each way plus a center turning lane, so crossing there is out of the question. By the time there's a left turn with a traffic signal, I'd have added 3 miles to a 7 mile ride and would still have to take an unsafe street.

On the other hand, I actually think erig007's suggestion to just use the sidewalk here might work. I don't know why I didn't think of that.

Welcome into the world of illegality my friend. Fortunately i have a solution for you.

http://ozzum.com/bicycle-health/

That way you will remain in good standing with the law which is to walk on the sidewalk.

But you can still lock your bike and walk anyway.

http://ozzum.com/locking-bike-security/

Sidewalk looks best to me.

Another reckless Portland bikelane where it is illegal not to ride that bikelane for your safety unless turning left.

Many here will hate this, but I would not ride that bikelane and just take the traffic lane the yellow car is in.

If I understand this correctly, there are 3 EB lanes approaching the intersection in question, EB Baseline and NB Stepping Stone. Lane 1, is a right turn only. This is where the existing bike lane starts, but it now shifts to the left as it approaches Stepping Stone to be part of the rightmost lane of the 2 lanes that passes Stepping Stone. On my pic looking west, I placed an arrow showing your direction of travel (east) and where I think the new bike lane is located.

I'd be in lane 2 (middle lane) of Baseline as it crosses 185th and approaches Stepping Stone and ignore the existing bike lane on the curb that approaches the island. Being in lane 2 allows autos in the right lane to make their right turn and without you crossing their path. And, those cars that forget to turn until the last moment to Stepping Stone from lane 2 will be approaching you from behind, versus crossing in front of you if you were in lane 1.

I think the biggest danger are autos coming NB on Stepping Stone merging into EB Baseline, versus the traffic from behind on EB Stepping Stone. See the black Acura in the picture.

I would not ride on the sidewalk here and try to ride through that island. That looks damn dangerous. It isn't even marked as a crosswalk.

I think that the new bike lane is in the best position in a bad intersection, but it should start at the light at 185th and the old one should be removed. I think the old bike lane is in a poor location, since it appears that it was never intended to help riders pass that island EB on Baseline.


281932

Many here will hate this, but I would not ride that bikelane and just take the traffic lane the yellow car is in.

Agreed. My long-winded post tried to explain why.

.......What would you do in this situation?

Either merge into the adjacent lane before the traffic light, or use the RTOL after the traffic light, then merge into the bike lane.

TBH a controlled taking of the lane would be my best thought. Since we don't get bike lanes often in PA it is pretty normal to ride on/in 45mph roads. They have more than one lane to drive in, just don't dally about it.

Sidewalk looks best to me.

yep

Sidewalk looks best to me.


Have you forwarded this information to the proper (no)planning authorities?

I'm having a hard time completely understanding the situation, but since you're a seasoned cyclist, I trust your instincts and you should trust your own. If the situation is that bad, I'd phone city hall and start hollering. I'd also phone any cycling organization that might listen. Whoever striped those lanes probably did it from a Land Rover....

As I'm getting older and remarking that I'm still alive, I'm not hesitant to get off my bike and do a little sidewalk if the street looks dicey. If there's no foot traffic I might even stay on my bike a bit...

With a double right turn on the second intersection, sidewalk riding seems the least safe to me. The motorist will make that right turn from both lanes regardless if the light is green or red. Even if you get the motorist to stop for you in the right most right turning lane, the motorist in the left right turning lane is not likely to see you or stop for you.

Even the first intersection with no stop right turns exiting and entering the main road is a dangerous situation for sidewalk riding.

I think CB missed the part about there is now only 1 turn lane at the end of the block.
He is right about the new lanes almost forces VC or sidewalk, at least from a red light start.

Myself , after looking at Big Leb's pic, I now think the OLD set-up is FAR FAR better, but a bit slower of course.
It actually does use the sidewalk to cut across (at a better 90 degree angle) those now 1 lane each exit + entrance lanes with the island safe zone inbetween.
I think that the vast majority of cars that would enter that roundabout lane will come straight thru the light with the bike flow. If the bike is stopped at the light and is already to the left of the turn lane, then it should be NO problem riding
along the curb lane setup. By the time the bike gets to the end of the next block, the cars would be already by the bike, while the light is turning red again. So it should be not a major problem to cross on the curve and then see about what is comming from the right. Those cars would be thinking it's free flow and stomping on the gas while not neccessarily seeing the bikes now going full speed on the new lane at the top of the island.

The new way forces 3 MAJORLY very dangerous merge crossovers in short order. There is no safe zone anywhere there.
Cars almost always will yeild to bikes, in that second corner/ island situation, here. Clear sailing for us.

Yeah, crossing the island from the sidewalk is no problem at all if you're willing to wait for traffic to pass. Getting across the RTO lane in the new situation is challenging even if you're willing to wait for traffic to pass because it's close enough to the intersection that traffic can turn from 185th can surprise you, not to mention the challenge of interpreting which lane the headlights are in on a dark, rainy night.

Yeah, crossing the island from the sidewalk is no problem at all if you're willing to wait for traffic to pass. So, you'd use the sidewalk beginning at 185th? I suppose as long as you are looking behind you when getting to the middle then looking to your right to cross again back onto the sidewalk. Then, stay on the sidewalk until it is safe to re-enter Baseline.

I have a similar situation. My express bus home drops me off at a terrible location and I must get off there. I walk my bike on a sidewalk for 1/8 to 1/4 of a mile to a safer location before getting on the street and riding home.

Good luck.

P.S. I saw this on google maps. It is an image of a rider slightly further east on Baseline. He doesn't look too worried. No helmet, riding with one hand, no high-viz gear. Looks like a safe road to me! ;)

282059

Baseline is actually an outstanding road to ride on. Most of it goes along fences that mark the backside of cul-de-sac clusters. There are very few places for cars to turn on or off and there's no on-street parking, so it's one of the best places possible for a bike lane. They just screwed it up in this one place.

I'm having a hard time completely understanding the situation, but since you're a seasoned cyclist, I trust your instincts and you should trust your own. If the situation is that bad, I'd phone city hall and start hollering. I'd also phone any cycling organization that might listen. Whoever striped those lanes probably did it from a Land Rover....

As I'm getting older and remarking that I'm still alive, I'm not hesitant to get off my bike and do a little sidewalk if the street looks dicey. If there's no foot traffic I might even stay on my bike a bit...


Yeah, don't just submit a request from a web page. Pick up the phone, and call the city or county highway department. I'd also call who ever your local elected official at that level is, and who ever it is at the intersection, if they're different. Don't take 'we'll get back to you' as an answer. If they don't get back to you in a couple days, call again. And again. They might not get it fixed, but they should be able to explain why it can't be, if that's the case.

Another reckless Portland bikelane where it is illegal not to ride that bikelane for your safety unless turning left.

Many here will hate this, but I would not ride that bikelane and just take the traffic lane the yellow car is in.

I trust the OP's instincts, but from an outsider's perspective, this would seem to be the best option.

I would invite the planning authorities to ride along with you through that intersection during a busy time of day.

Actually, now that I have given the pictures a second look, it doesn't seem like a very big deal (as far as can be judged from the lazy chair).
If you just ride on the left side of the bike line then you will end up in the middle of the right turn lane when the bike lane ends. At that point cars coming from behind have to break and stay behind you.
So it might get you out of your comfort zone of always hugging the right side of the road, but safest way to proceed is to not let you be pushed to the side so that it becomes easier to cross over when the bike lane continues on the left.

Yeah, don't just submit a request from a web page. Pick up the phone, and call...etc.

Well, I'll admit that I just don't like using the phone, but I really think in this case the web form was better than you might think (not least because the county roads people actually seem to like it). What I like about it is that it packages my exact words in a form that is easy for the first line support people to pass on to the people I really want it to get to and doesn't depend on me being on the phone at whatever time the person I need to talk to is actually available.

I submitted the form at 6:15 PM on Friday. At 10:30 AM today (Monday) I got a generic response from the county's Public Information Officer saying she had forwarded my concern to Traffic Engineering. At 11:40 today, I got a response from someone in Traffic Engineering, who also CC'ed their Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. I love it when technology works.

Unfortunately, this was the response:

"These transitions are definitely not easy for bicycles. We have a handful of them around the county with various striping layouts. The Oregon Department of Transportation recently approved a standard striping layout for these situations, which is what we installed on Baseline Rd east of 185th Ave in conjunction with the recent repaving. Your concern is the 100 ft section that's between the curb-tight bike lane to the bike lane that's to the left of the turn lane. This 100 ft long area is for bikes to transition between the two marked bike lanes, as they feel it's appropriate. I know that during busy times this can be challenging, but this is intended to be the permanent striping layout."

I looked up the new standard and followed up explaining in more detail what I didn't like about it, suggesting what seems to me to be a better alternative and asking about any formal process I should go through to request a review. At this point, I'm still hopeful.

Another alternative would be to head South on 185th until you catch the break in the median just past Stepping Stone. Flip a U-turn then turn right down Stepping Stone and proceed. It is a little longer than your original route and I am not sure how 185th or Stepping Stone is for streets but it is another shot.

I think CB missed the part about there is now only 1 turn lane at the end of the block.
He is right about the new lanes almost forces VC or sidewalk, at least from a red light start.Actually I thought the OP was riding left to right in the aerial photo (and I was considering the second intersection that still shows a double right turn), but the OP is really riding right to left.

Still seems best to ride VC not knowing what is coming up at the next intersection (seeing how poorly the entire road is designed).

Know you're hand signals "AND USE THEM" they work alo infest in a britely colordreflective cycling saftyvest they and yes they do workvery well. Also stay alert and look ahead.

Actually I thought the OP was riding left to right in the aerial photo (and I was considering the second intersection that still shows a double right turn), but the OP is really riding right to left.

No, you had it correct. I'm riding left to right and the problem is at the second intersection. The aerial photo is just out-of-date.

Actually, now that I have given the pictures a second look, it doesn't seem like a very big deal (as far as can be judged from the lazy chair).
If you just ride on the left side of the bike line then you will end up in the middle of the right turn lane when the bike lane ends. At that point cars coming from behind have to break and stay behind you.
So it might get you out of your comfort zone of always hugging the right side of the road, but safest way to proceed is to not let you be pushed to the side so that it becomes easier to cross over when the bike lane continues on the left.

I would do this. Cars use that spot without striping to transition right between the locations of the bike lanes. But you keep riding straight and use the turn lane farther down as your transition spot over to the bike lane to your left. Just watch and be careful as you continue straight past the nearer bike lane. Let a car immediately to your right go on ahead, but make sure other cars behind see that you're there.

If you're there at the red light, I would probably pull out ahead as soon as the cross light turns red (after you're sure no one will try to run it) to be sure to be in front of any cars in the right turn lane so that you have time to get over to the lane on your left.

Sidewalk looks best to me.

Heck yeah. Take the sidewalk.

riding with 50 mph traffic? they probably put in the bike lane cuz someone was killed. reasearch to see what you can find, but also find an alternate route otherwise you'll be commuting in a pine box one way only

Another reckless Portland bikelane where it is illegal not to ride that bikelane for your safety unless turning left.

Many here will hate this, but I would not ride that bikelane and just take the traffic lane the yellow car is in.

This is what I would do as well. If I got a ticket for it, I would explain it to a judge as you have here. It is for your safety and for the safety of all the other cars that you would choose not to ride in the far right lane.

The only time I have been hit, it was because I was trying to stay in the bike lane until I actually needed to get over to turn, unfortunately it was across 4 lanes of traffic and as one car on my left waved me over another was trying to come up around the left side of them them and cut them off to make a turn to the right. I can easily see a similar situation happening here where someone is trying to get over at the last minute as you're merging left.

This is what I would do as well. If I got a ticket for it, I would explain it to a judge as you have here. It is for your safety and for the safety of all the other cars that you would choose not to ride in the far right lane.

If I could get to the lane that the yellow car is in, I could get to the second bit of bike lane. The problem is getting across the far right automobile lane. There is a spot about a half mile before this where I probably could get in that lane before the far right lane appears, but that has its own problems.

riding with 50 mph traffic? they probably put in the bike lane cuz someone was killed. reasearch to see what you can find, but also find an alternate route otherwise you'll be commuting in a pine box one way only

Actually this is one of only about three lanes that cross the county east-to-west without disappearing into a maze of cul-de-sacs. As such, it has had a bike lane from one end to the other (with the exception of the 100-feet or so at the traffic island pictured above) for many years.

I've been talking to a county traffic engineer and it sounds like the new striping is part of a program to standardize county-wide on the handling of traffic configurations like the one pictured here. Apparently, this is now one of five intersections in the county handled in this same way (though I contend its the only one with heavy traffic on both cross streets). The new striping is the recommended best practice in the Oregon DOT Traffic Manual.

The traffic engineer who has been helping me suggested that if I don't feel like I can safely cross over to the left-side bike lane then I can basically disregard the lane striping and stay in the position of the curb tight bike lane until I get to the sidewalk cut-out that lets me wait until I can safely cross the right turn lane. That seems like a fairly reasonable solution. It essentially amounts to taking the lane in the turning lane. I suppose I could even stay in the turning lane and go straight onto the paved opening in traffic island since there's only one turning lane now and I wouldn't need to worry about anyone going around me on the left.