Originally Posted by
noisebeam
It can and is being done where I live and I encounter the results first hand.
Here is an example (warning pdf file)of one going from design to test implemenation (with photos of already done streets)
http://www.tempe.gov/tim/Traffic/pdf...CollegeAve.pdf
What do you think of the 'improvements' shown on p.11?
25mph back streets don't need bike lanes, nor humps and bumps and bulb outs and medians, and more stop signs, etc. The biggest danger in back streets are the many intersections, driveways, carefree drivers, pedestrians, kids on bikes, etc. Many cyclists I've talked to locally, even strong bike lane proponents and those prefer to ride at a very casual pace, much prefer to ride in bike lane on high speed intersection less arterials vs. the back street obstacle course I describe above. Why? They feel it is safer and the main roads actually get them places.
Al
Hmmm ... maybe we're partially talking about different things. Agree there is no reason for backstreets to have bike lanes. But those backstreets being more dangerous? Again, each situation is different -- I'd tell you in my neighborhoods this is not the case. The problem is that you can't get from one neighborhood to the next. How's a kid supposed to bike to school -- jump on the high-speed arterial?