07-26-2019, 08:49 PM
Seeking Input:
I had a discussion with a regional road engineer this morning about bike lanes, and I am curious to know the opinions of cyclists:
When there is room for a bike lane in only one direction (lets leave aside for the moment, the absurdity of this), and there is a substantial grade on the road, should that bike lane be located on:
a) the uphill side.
or b) the downhill side.
The advantage of a) is that cyclists are traveling slower, motorists may be more impatient behind, and it may be more difficult to take the lane when moving more slowly, thus drivers may tend to push past unsafely more often, so having a bike lane here is preferable. Additionally, on the downhill side with no bike lane, cyclists are moving much faster, and as a result will be able to take the lane more easily, and cars will be more patient (or waiting less time) so will be more willing to wait behind.
The advantage of b) is that since both cyclists and drivers are traveling much faster, any incident would be likely to be more harmful, as higher speeds are dangerous, so more separation by putting the bike lane on the downhill side is preferable.
There is also the consideration of the cyclists motions, going downhill, one can coast and have stable control of a high speed bicycle, but going uphill, speeds are much lower, but since the cyclist is working hard, the motion is more side to side.
So, I'm interested in seeing votes, opinions, and also any other considerations I'm missing.
Oh, and a bonus section:
In the event there is no room for a bike lane (on level, downhill, or uphill) is the preference, 1) make the lane as wide as possible, or 2) make the lane as narrow as possible.
The idea with 1) is that there is more room to maneuver, however, the risk is that cyclists will be bullied, or otherwise afraid and thus squeeze right and have cars squeeze past, even though there is not room, where as for 2) there is less room, but drivers are more forced to wait before overtaking, and it should be easier for the cyclist to take the lane.
Thanks!
I had a discussion with a regional road engineer this morning about bike lanes, and I am curious to know the opinions of cyclists:
When there is room for a bike lane in only one direction (lets leave aside for the moment, the absurdity of this), and there is a substantial grade on the road, should that bike lane be located on:
a) the uphill side.
or b) the downhill side.
The advantage of a) is that cyclists are traveling slower, motorists may be more impatient behind, and it may be more difficult to take the lane when moving more slowly, thus drivers may tend to push past unsafely more often, so having a bike lane here is preferable. Additionally, on the downhill side with no bike lane, cyclists are moving much faster, and as a result will be able to take the lane more easily, and cars will be more patient (or waiting less time) so will be more willing to wait behind.
The advantage of b) is that since both cyclists and drivers are traveling much faster, any incident would be likely to be more harmful, as higher speeds are dangerous, so more separation by putting the bike lane on the downhill side is preferable.
There is also the consideration of the cyclists motions, going downhill, one can coast and have stable control of a high speed bicycle, but going uphill, speeds are much lower, but since the cyclist is working hard, the motion is more side to side.
So, I'm interested in seeing votes, opinions, and also any other considerations I'm missing.
Oh, and a bonus section:
In the event there is no room for a bike lane (on level, downhill, or uphill) is the preference, 1) make the lane as wide as possible, or 2) make the lane as narrow as possible.
The idea with 1) is that there is more room to maneuver, however, the risk is that cyclists will be bullied, or otherwise afraid and thus squeeze right and have cars squeeze past, even though there is not room, where as for 2) there is less room, but drivers are more forced to wait before overtaking, and it should be easier for the cyclist to take the lane.
Thanks!