BIKE: SCB redux

[Lane Wimberley]

On 5/17/05, Patrick Goetz <pgoetz> wrote:
> However, this leaves us with WHAT THEN?  

I wonder if they would leave as-is, sans curb extensions.  If so,
someone should point out that, in the absence of parked cars, the
parking lane becomes an apparent driving lane.

> As far as I can tell, the only
> possibility is to implement the original plan proposed by city staff in
> 2000, with car-free bike lanes on both sides of the street and parking
> allowed only on the east side of the street.  Everyone hates the Gandy
> plan, and city engineers have informed me in no uncertain terms that
> they will not certify the original neighborhood plan, as they view it as
> being unsafe.  

On what grounds?!  Because people drove over the stripes in the
idiotic so-called "test?"  That's a ludicrous criterion, against which
any striping will fail (including the current one, which fails
currently  ... repeatedly ... frequently ...).

This is really sad.  As I think I've mentioned before, I remember
sitting in a working group at Gullett shortly after Gandy made the
scene, with a group of neighbors and cyclists.  The group was
facililtated by an engineer from the city.  I wish I could remember
her full name, but her first name was Jana, I believe.  Together, we
agreed that a version of the neighborhood alternative plan that
stretched out the transition zones (so the change wasn't so abrupt)
and introduced <gasp!> curb extensions to emphasize the transitions
(ie, a triangular-shaped extension with foliage in the triangles
formed in the transition zones), was the optimal solution.

That option offered obstacle-free five- or six-foot bike lanes, door
danger only along half of the route, ample (albeit one-side) parking,
narrowed perceived lane width, and pleasant traffic-calming serpentine
lanes.

I guess it's politically an absolute non-starter at this point,
though.  BTW, Gandy claims that what is on SCB now is currently in
place in Memphis, TN, and Oakland, CA.  I wonder if the configuration
I describe above is implemented anywhere.  If so, and if it has proven
acceptable and/or effective, maybe it would still have a chance...? 
Oh, wait -- this is Austin.

> This leaves only 2 options:  no striping at all save for
> a center line or the original plan allowing for parking on one side of
> the street.  Although I would be happy with no striping at all at this
> point, this is probably not the safest option and certainly provides the
> least amount of traffic calming.  

My thoughts as well.  Given the cost factor, I wouldn't be surprised
to see the curb islands removed, and that's it.  But, it seems the
next lowest cost option would be to simply remove the white stripe,
which would be better than what we have.

-Lane

-- 
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the
human race."
- HG Wells