07-17-2018, 10:39 PM
The emergency vehicle argument doesn't hold up; there are lots of streets throughout the region that are as wide or narrower that have worked fine for years with no emergency access problems.
Queen's Blvd between Highland and SMGH has 5.0m lanes separated by a grass median with on street parking for years and that has not been a problem (the new width of King is 2x3.8m = 7.6m + 2x0.5m roll curb = 8.6m). That's not much wider than the new 4.8m lanes in front of GRH that has no on street parking or roll curbs that everyone thinks are a problem. Brock St in Kitchener is only 5.8m total (2x2.9m lanes) and always has cars parked on the street. Whitney Pl in Kitchener is only 4.25m total (no on street parking).
Or, we could start buying narrower emergency vehicles.
I've tried the new bike lanes out for a week now and have yet to pass through, NB or SB, without a vehicle parked in the lane or being endangered by a driver making an unsafe choice with their vehicle. I won't be letting my child any where near these lanes which is unfortunate because it means they have failed at one of their purposes - allowing people of all ages to cycle more while feeling safe (and actually being safer).
What is the correct way to enter the SB bike lane from WB Bridgeport? Get in the left lane of Bridgeport, signal left, make the turn, and then immediately signal right?
Queen's Blvd between Highland and SMGH has 5.0m lanes separated by a grass median with on street parking for years and that has not been a problem (the new width of King is 2x3.8m = 7.6m + 2x0.5m roll curb = 8.6m). That's not much wider than the new 4.8m lanes in front of GRH that has no on street parking or roll curbs that everyone thinks are a problem. Brock St in Kitchener is only 5.8m total (2x2.9m lanes) and always has cars parked on the street. Whitney Pl in Kitchener is only 4.25m total (no on street parking).
Or, we could start buying narrower emergency vehicles.
I've tried the new bike lanes out for a week now and have yet to pass through, NB or SB, without a vehicle parked in the lane or being endangered by a driver making an unsafe choice with their vehicle. I won't be letting my child any where near these lanes which is unfortunate because it means they have failed at one of their purposes - allowing people of all ages to cycle more while feeling safe (and actually being safer).
What is the correct way to enter the SB bike lane from WB Bridgeport? Get in the left lane of Bridgeport, signal left, make the turn, and then immediately signal right?
Everyone move to the back of the bus and we all get home faster.