Sidepaths
Sidepaths are trails running immediately parallel to a roadway, like a sidewalk. In the past, bicycle sidepaths were developed to separate cyclists from roadways to reduce opportunities for conflict. It is now widely accepted that bicycle paths parallel to roads or on sidewalks actually cause greater conflicts. For this reason, they are not recommended in most cases.
Sidepath riders are 1.8 times at risk of being involved in a collision with a motor vehicle than cyclists on the street. Wrong- way sidepath riders (those riding against motor traffic) are 4.5 times at risk of being involved in a collision than path riders traveling in the same direction of traffic{HYPERLINK \l "8"}. The AASHTO guide describes problems with sidepaths, including{HYPERLINK \l "3"}:
At intersections, motorists entering or crossing the roadway often will not notice bicyclists coming from their right, as they are not expecting contra-flow vehicles. Even bicyclists coming from the left often go unnoticed, especially when sight distances are poor.
Although the sidepath should be given the same priority through intersections as the parallel road, motorists falsely expect bicyclists to stop or yield at all cross-streets and driveways. Efforts to require or encourage bicyclists to yield or stop at each cross-street and driveway are inappropriate and frequently ignored by bicyclists.
Many bicyclists will use the roadway instead of the sidepath because they have found the roadway to be safer, more convenient, or better maintained. Bicyclists using the roadway are often subjected to harassment by motorists who feel that in all cases bicyclists should be on the path instead.
Stopped cross-street motor vehicle traffic or vehicles exiting side streets or driveways may block the path crossing.
****************************************
Date sent: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 12:22:02 -0500
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
From: "Michael D. Barrett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Bikies] Re: Waunakee-Westport Bike Plan
> Are you aware that sidepaths suck?
>
> How many studies over how many decades have proven over & over again
> that sidepaths crossing multiple & frequent driveways and cross
> streets are more dangerous than riding in the road? (Hint: it has
> something to do with creating twice as many intersections than were
> there in the first place)
>
> And yes, Waunakee's sidepath mistake rolling out north along Hwy 113
> was solely attributable to one individual's political clout trumping
> intelligent transportation design.
>
> You might want to try consulting the county and/or state's ped-bike
> coordinators for more information on proper implementation of bicycle
> facilities.
>
> After you've done that, it would be nice to see a better explanation
> as to why you are promoting these dangerous facilities.
>
> -Mike Barrett
>
>
> At 12:02 PM -0500 8/26/04, Cathi Wielgus wrote:
> >
> >The Plan presents two options for Woodland Road: a sidepath similar
> >to what the Village has been constructing, and an improved shoulder
> >for on-street riding, when the road is reconstructed.
> >
> >The Plan recommended a number of routes on existing roads and
> >potential facility improvements for on-street riding, in addition to
> >off-road accommodations.
> >
> >The draft Plan is being reviewed by Town and Village staff, and will
> >be available for public perusal within the next couple of weeks.
> >
> >Cathi Wielgus, AICP
> >Assistant Planner
> >Vandewalle & Associates
Michael W. Rewey
5522 Comanche Way
Madison, WI 53704
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