On my commute (couple times a week) I leave the road to take a green way the last mile. The greenway is set up kind of oddly; it's set up almost like a 4 way stop. The road way is around a mall (it is a road, not a parking lot lane, but it is on the perimeter of the mall) so two of the roads define the corner of the mall, the third goes to a community swimming center, and the fourth is the greenway. All except the greenway and the pool have dedicated left turn lanes (the pool has two lanes as well.) The greenway entry is not directly across from the opposit road, its off set (the right edge of the greenway is on the same line as the left edge of the opposing road.) I've witnessed several vehicle near misses with both cars and pedestrians (cross walk) at this intersection, mostly because folks don't seem to respect the stop signs at all. Currently, as I approach, I'm on the opposing road. I come to a complete stop, using the left turn lane (left then immediate right into the greenway), but that is when I start having issues, the vehicles on the cross road will not stop unless I really force my way into the intersection (I've had vehicles close enough to touch.) I feel like a lot of the issue is parents in a rush to pick up/drop off kids at the pool (this is a competitive pool with lots of classes, trainers, etc.) Now, with all of that, there are also a lot of kids around....probably around 8 year olds and up (generally siblings to swimmers.) It seems to be getting worse (this is swim meet time) and I'm trying to think if there is anything I can do about it. I know I can't control other drivers, but I was thinking about contacting the mall security, complaining to the pool management, and possibly to the local police (they've set up monitoring at other kid populated areas.) Is this worth pursueing or am I just borrowing bother? While I find it stressful, I'm more worried that some kid is going to be hit. Is there a better way for me to handle this intersection? I've considered sticking to the other roads, but it adds ~2 miles in heavy traffic.

Just link to it on google maps.

FWIW, I have to be extra assertive in congested areas like parking lots. They have to know that I AM going to turn left, no matter if they are going or not. They normally won't call your bluff since they don't want to be responsible for your death. Make eye contact, get in an aggressive posture, and start rolling toward your turn.

call non-emergency pd and they will monitor the intersection once enough complaints come in... take short film and give it to pd. Talk to pool admin and explain the liability they face... that should get the ball rolling.

Yeah, if I can get eye contact and they do any slowing down, I'll often risk taking my turn. They actually aren't slowing down most of the time and about 3/4 are on their cell phones and seem to actively avoid looking at me. I've tapped a couple of hoods in the last month (both on bike and as a pedestrian). It's always been a problem, but the pool is sponsoring more competitions than in previous years, so there's even more traffic and more days. There's another meet tomorrow, I think I'll stop by and film about 15 minutes at the intersection and drop a dvd off to the local police station. I really don't want to witness anyone getting hurt, but the potential for a kid being killed is too high for my comfort level.

I am familiar with this intersection; I was on the Planning and Zoning board when the Triangle Aquatic Center site plan came up for our review, and I had a special meeting with the site architect when the greenway was being designed, so as to route it more safely around the building and to try to provide as clean an intersection with the roadway as we could manage.

For those interested, the location is here:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.775...num=1&t=h&z=19

As a cyclist you're doing everything right, according to your description, but drivers are not respecting the stop signs, which is a frequent problem with all-way-stop intersections. It may be particularly bad at this location due to its history and traffic patterns. The Google Street View shows the intersection prior to the installation of the stop signs; it was originally just a curve in the road prior to adding the leg for the Triangle Aquatic Center. Drivers traveling around the mall probably want to roll through as fast as they can get away with, and the aquatic center traffic on the new leg is probably much higher at peak times than the intersection designers expected.

If stop sign running is as chronic as you say, I would definately report it to the Cary Police traffic safety contact via email or non-emergency phone. The current email contact for traffic safety on Cary's web site is an officer I've worked with before on cycling safety issues and he's a friendly guy.
https://www.townofcary.org/Department...f_Contacts.htm

Describe the times and circumstances where you see the problem and I'm sure they will take a look at it. If they are unable to improve the situation you may want to elevate the issue to have the engineering department look at it for possible traffic calming or other treatments. Your Town Council representative can guide you through the process of having your concerns heard by the right people.

-Steve

Hey Steve, thanks alot! I live in the neighborhood next to the aquatic center, and it is definitly worse any time there is a swim meet, and swim meets are 2-3x more this year than last (based on when there are buses and such.) The only other problem times are during swimming lessons, but there isn't quite the volume at those times. I am looking forward to when the greenway is continued up towards the soccer center. I have a feeling it wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't at the mall....people seem to think those stops signs are completly optional. I've had as many problems walking that intersection as riding (I walk to the mall, the cafe, and the coffee shop with my dog a couple times a week during the summer.)

I believe Convention Drive is a Town of Cary street and not private, so Cary Police should be able to issue valid traffic citations there. Another possible staff contact who could help is Doug McRainey in Parks and Rec; he was in charge of greenway planning when this one was built and has interest in safety issues related to greenways (and may know how to direct extra resources toward safety issues at greenways). https://www.townofcary.org/Department...s/contacts.htm

How has the surrounding community responded to the greenway connection? Greenway connection retrofits in existing neighborhoods are often controversial. Supporters of this connection, including myself, hoped that it would provide your neighborhood with a more pleasant connection for walking and biking to the mall and surrounding destinations (compared to the busy 45mph arterial alternative). Detractors were worried about troublemakers using the connection to enter your neighborhood from the mall. How has it worked out?