Originally Posted by
genec
Our streets and laws are generally designed for the convenience of the motor vehicle operator... not the safety of all those that may be using the road. Our streets could be safer. For one thing right on red is really a terrible thing for pedestrians. Left crossing turns with a walk signal are also equally dangerous. ...
First of all, Right on Red was law in California for decades, and slowly rolled out through the USA during the energy crisis as a fuel saving measure, not for driver convenience. It's usually not the law, where pedestrian traffic is high (all of NYC for example), and localities are usually free to busy intersections No right on red exceptions.
As for the proposed street plan. Note my objections apply to NYC reality and may not apply elsewhere.
1- Benches on Chicanes, most neighborhoods will object because these tend to become hangouts for the homeless, and locals don't tend to use them (who wants to sit around looking at a busy city street?)
2- chicanes on the left become obstacles for bicycles, interrupting the laminar flow. Cyclists in NYC keep left on one ways, especially if cars are parked on the right. The plan gives them the lousy choice of riding tight in a door zone, or on the left in and among the chicanes. If chaicanes are proposed they need to be on the same side of the street as the car parking lane. The proposed bike parking can share the chicane.