Mark, I attended the last Pheasant Branch Road meeting at the Middleton Library but will be unable to attend the July 20th meeting. I'm highly in favor of the 11-4 setup that was shown at that informational meeting. I don't know that I can officially speak for the Bike Fed or other groups, but all the feedback I've heard from fellow bicyclists is that they want a full 4 foot bike lane on that road. While I understand that residents in that area might not want to widen the road, I'm surprised that they would want to be inconvenienced by having so many bicyclists in the traffic lane of that road on a regular basis. As for the short section of (what used to be Pheasant Branch), that road should have low enough traffic volume that while I would prefer bike lanes on that section also, it did seem problematic to do so without removing more of the property of the residents who live on that road. I think that restricting cars from turning left into and out of that road to/from Century Ave. would be a very good thing and would force traffic go the whole way on Pheasant Branch and use the stoplight to turn left at Century. It would keep traffic volumes lower and remove it as a shortcut. I have mixed emotions about restricting left turns from that road onto Century for bicycles. But if we get bike lanes on Pheasant Branch, I would support the no left turn restriction and having to bike Pheasant Branch all the way and use the stoplight at Century. It would be a good tradeoff. Also, I doubt that many experienced road bicyclists would use the off road path if there were no bike lanes, but many novice cyclists might feel safer on that route.
John Rider League Cycling Instructor Member of: Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin Bombay Bicycle Club -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mark Opitz Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 4:45 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Bikies] Last chance: Pheasant Branch Rd design On July 20, the Middleton City Council plans to discuss whether to include bike lanes as part of a reconstructed Pheasant Branch Road. The current plan as proposed by city engineering staff and recently approved by the city's public works committee calls for one 11' driving lane and one 4' (plus the curb & gutter section) in each direction, from near Century Avenue north to the city limits. An alternative design without bike lanes has been proposed due to concerns over the potential for a wider road leading to increased auto traffic, higher speeds, greater tree loss, and increased project costs / assessments. Advocates of removing the bike lanes cite preservation of the road's "rustic" character and traffic calming benefits as the primary reasons for their position. If no bike lanes are provided on Pheasant Branch Road, some bicyclists may decide to use the existing off-road gravel trail that runs parallel along the edge of the Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Obviously, many bicyclists will want to continue to use the road, and of course they are entitled to do so. So the issue is, bike lanes or no bike lanes on Pheasant Branch Road? While the plan doesn't call for converting the road to four lanes as happened with Old Sauk Road, I've been surprised by how little discussion this matter has received on this list. Over the past few months, I've only heard from a couple bicyclists. This is the final chance to provide your input in a proactive manner. The Council meeting is at 7:30 on Tuesday at Middleton City Hall, 7426 Hubbard Avenue. See http://www.ci.middleton.wi.us/Projects/PhBrRd/main.htm for more info. FYI: Due to a condition of approval of the Middleton Hills subdivision in 1995, there may be a need to have a 3/4 vote of the Council--6 out of 8 members--in order to widen the road, even to add bike lanes. Mark Opitz Assistant City Planner & Zoning Administrator City of Middleton voice (608) 827-1094 fax (608) 827-1080 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] web www.ci.middleton.wi.us > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > On Behalf Of Robbie Webber > Sent: Friday, May 07, 2004 12:54 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [Bikies] Pheasant Branch Rd design > > From a friend who can't post to the list, so asked me to pass this > on: > -- Robbie > > begin forwarded message > ************************ > I found out today that the City of Middleton is considering not > painting the 4" stripe to delineate a bike lane on the new Pheasant > Branch Road but instead just use a 15' wide shared use lane. This is > not the end of the world, but I believe it would slow traffic and give > bikers a safer route if > they just put the stripe down to indicate two 10' foot lanes and a 5' > bike lane or two 11' lanes and a 4' bike lane. There will be curb and > gutter so the 4' lane will work. > > The AASHTO Guidelines do point out on page 17 that a 15' wide lane can > encourage drivers to drive two cars abreast in the lane. > ***************** > end forwarded message > > Robbie here again. > > Anyone out in Middleton or thereabouts (other than Mr. Optiz) want to > let the City know how you feel? > > Not only does the stripe signal, "This is not two lanes", but the > visual narrowing of the main lane tend to slow traffic. This would be > good since Pheasant Branch may become a major commuter route. It needs > all the traffic > calming it can get! > > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
