Mark,
I support the 11' driving lane-4' bike lane option. Pheasant
Branch Road is a major escape route out of the metro area. It also will
become an important commuter route not just for bicyclists but for
automobiles as well as development in this area continues. Therefore, some
sort of widening will be inevitable in the near future. Better that it be
4' bike lanes than 12' driving lanes and better that those bike lanes go in
now to encourage bicycle usage at an early stage rather than as an
afterthought in years to come when people are already set in their habits.
The off-street path is really no substitute for an on-street
facility. It is not as direct and is not a good choice in inclement
weather. Even if it isn't currently raining, a muddy gravel path from a
recent rain is not very enticing for many cyclists, especially if one is
trying to get to work.
Regarding the rural feel of the road, I think this is a specious
argument with all of the housing that has gone up along Pheasant Branch
Road in recent years. It is hardly the road I first biked on 20 years ago.
Furthermore, the width of the 11-4 solution isn't much wider than a rural
road with shoulders, paved or gravel.
And if people are concerned about speeding caused by a wider road,
bike lanes are part of the solution. Bike lane markings give the
impression of a narrower road and help to keep speeds down. Good examples
of this are Buckeye Road and the recently restriped Odana Road. To further
calm traffic, traffic islands might be considered, especially at locations
where people want to access the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
Regarding the issue of left turns from the former Pheasant Branch
Road onto Century Avenue, you can try to limit these movements for
bicyclists but I don't think you will have much success. Bombay rides will
probably continue to make left turns from this street during weekend rides
as will others when traffic is lighter on Century Avenue. One solution
might be to limit left turns during rush hour.
I would appreciate having these comments forwarded to the Middleton
City Council as I will be unable to attend tonight's meeting.
Mark Shahan
At 3:45 PM -0600 7/16/04, Mark Opitz wrote:
>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
Mark N. Shahan ------ __o
607 Piper Drive ------- _`\<,_
Madison, WI 53711-1338 ---- (*)/ (*)
(608) 274-9367
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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