Cycling in Waterloo Region

[dtkvictim]

I hadn't ever really biked on Margaret/Breithaupt to the spur line, so I decided to check it out. The new bike lanes look great (I saw 4 other people use it while I was there for just a minute), assuming they will eventually get a barrier installed. As I turned on to Margaret I saw a driver honk at the car in front of him that was turning left onto Breithaupt northbound, apparently too slow for his liking - the exact type of person I expect to swerve into painted bike lanes to go around "traffic". No cars parked at Mei King when I checked though!

1) Here is a photo of the Wellington St intersection. I think the crossover maneuver is a little concerning, if a bicycle arrives at a red light (perpendicular green), I assume they have immediate priority to turn right for the first half of their two stage turn. I think this would be pretty unexpected for any vehicles turning from Wellington to Margaret.



2) The spur line tracks on Breithaupt are not pleasant with 16" road tires!



3) Would you believe the pedestrian crossing light across Weber St has a button you need to press for the lights to change?



4) Unrelated to the above, but still no sign of utility relocation on Joseph St and Stewart St. However, one of two poles from the Park St pedestrian crossing has gone missing. So the button the activate the lights is gone, as are half of the lights. Predictably, about 10 cars passed without stopping for me, at which point I just crossed at a gap in traffic.