South 5th Bottle Neck

WesternTrails · 2014-03-11 09:59:46

The portion of South 5th (in South Austin) stretching about 200 yards north of Oltorf has become untenable lately. Is it just me, or is the South 5th corridor becoming more congested in general? I suspect as residents move in to the Denizen complex on South Fifth and Cumberland the car traffic into downtown will increase substantially, and South 5th doesn't seem cut out for that. That particular stretch just north of Oltorf is particularly bad - cars stack up at the light heading northbound, and then just after Oltorf on-street parking begins. In the mornings car commuters frequently are getting into their cars, effectively narrowing the lane even further. When I finally turn right onto Live Oak to head north on Bouldin, it's sweet relief. Looking at a map, I really don't see a good way to avoid this intersection. I wish the city would ban on-street parking there, but I know that's not likely. As it stands, it feels like a very constrained kill zone. No real item here, just a place to vent.

MichaelBluejay · 2014-03-11 10:13:31

I'd love them to ban on-street parking everywhere. That's how they do it in Japan. Neighborhoods are nicer when they're not littered with cars.

Donald Lewis · 2014-03-12 05:30:11

I ride in on South 5th from Cardinal to Annie quite frequently and often in rush hour. I haven't experienced a problem.

Don in Austin

Jack · 2014-03-12 09:22:19

Stay well left of the parked cars and anyone passing tends to give lots of room. "Killing zone" it is not.

However, while S. of Oltorff, you can go east on Juanita to Oak Crest and cross Oltorff there, if that is more comfortable for you.

Last edited by Jack (2014-03-12 16:12:57)

rich00 · 2014-03-19 09:39:25

Parked cars, especially within 100feet of an intersection make the roads significantly more dangerous. So many blinds spots due to cars blocking the view.

Donald Lewis · 2014-03-19 23:03:24

rich00 wrote:

Parked cars, especially within 100feet of an intersection make the roads significantly more dangerous. So many blinds spots due to cars blocking the view.

I rode it in this morning at 8:15 as I often do and am still unable to figure out what is supposed to be a problem. Where there are cars parked on the right, (headed north) I take the lane well in advance of the parked cars. Drivers always keep a good respectable distance behind me. Where there are no parked cars and there is no oncoming traffic I move over and invite a pass. Often I make it all the way to my turn at Annie and the car behind me just keeps a distance and drives slowly. I try to go about 18-20 mph out of courtesy.

Don in Austin

Jack · 2014-03-20 10:29:27

Riding as you do, there is no problem, D.L.
The available lane is narrow where there are parked cars, but it is in no way a visibility problem.
A rider who stays out of the door zone has no problem from the right and doesn't leave any question to a driver behind whether there's room to pass without getting over across the middle of the street. Even at a sedate 12 mph, that stretch takes a fraction of a minute riding. I can understand feeling less comfortable riding for that short time, but it is not a significantly dangerous place--unless you ride to the right, hug the car doors, and invite close passing.

Donald Lewis · 2014-03-21 19:59:43

Additional comments.

I don't filter to the front at Oltorf when headed north.

If I should be at the front and I sense that a car or truck that pulled up behind me could be impatient, (reving engine w fart-maker exhaust or similar) I take off slowly and and stay towards the right while in the intersection and let them pass me before the row of parked cars. Rode through their again today with no problem whatsoever.

Don in Austin

Jack · 2014-03-24 11:25:32

Donald Lewis wrote:

I don't filter to the front at Oltorf when headed north.
If I should be at the front and I sense that a car or truck that pulled up behind me could be impatient, (reving engine w fart-maker exhaust or similar) I take off slowly and and stay towards the right while in the intersection and let them pass me before the row of parked cars.

Gotta endorse that! Especially so at that intersection, where it's pretty likely that the driver you are trying to pass on the right will want to turn right at Oltorf--before you've passed.

rich00 · 2014-04-01 12:08:52

Parked cars near intersections create blind spots when you are trying to cross the road. Often times you can't see if it's clear until you are in the middle of the road. That's what I was saying.

Donald Lewis · 2014-04-01 18:08:41

rich00 wrote:

Parked cars near intersections create blind spots when you are trying to cross the road. Often times you can't see if it's clear until you are in the middle of the road. That's what I was saying.

I will keep trying to figure out the problem. I ride through there 1-3 times a week and haven't been able to figure it out yet.

Don in Austin

rich00 · 2014-04-15 14:54:48

My comment wasn't specific to this section of road. It's just a general observation that I encounter in most neighborhoods.

Bicycle Austin forum

#1 2014-03-11 09:59:46

South 5th Bottle Neck

#2 2014-03-11 10:13:31

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

#3 2014-03-12 05:30:11

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

#4 2014-03-12 09:22:19

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

#5 2014-03-19 09:39:25

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

#6 2014-03-19 23:03:24

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

#7 2014-03-20 10:29:27

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

#8 2014-03-21 19:59:43

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

#9 2014-03-24 11:25:32

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

#10 2014-04-01 12:08:52

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

#11 2014-04-01 18:08:41

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

#12 2014-04-15 14:54:48

Re: South 5th Bottle Neck

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