I think we have to chalk this up to the small percentage of any group of people that will be clueless.
I don't think most of these drivers are intending to do something illegal, and I actually don't think that any additional signs, barriers, or road paint would keep it from happening and still not be a danger to bicyclists. (Pylons or other barriers would not be a safe addition, in my opinion.) My guess is that city crews need a "mountable" median to be able to service this lane (snow plows, emergencies, etc.) Anyone who has spent any time on University Ave has seen people turn the wrong way. It is alternatively amusing and frightening, depending on what else/who else is on the road. I was once waiting for a westbound bus in the middle of a huge blizzard - the kind when you wonder why anyone, regardless of mode, would voluntarily be out in it. We were all marveling at the few drivers creeping along in the snow and hoping they would get home safely. When suddenly a car comes northbound on Park St and MAKES A RIGHT TURN. Yes, this poor guy is now going eastbound on the main part of University, and we are all yelling and waving, but he can't see us. He finally figured it out as a platoon of drivers - all trying to figure out if they could stop in time - come down the street the other way. Fortunately, no collisions, and the average speed was probably about 15 mph. Robbie Webber Transportation Policy Analyst State Smart Transportation Initiative www.ssti.us 608-263-9984 (o) 608-225-0002 (c) [email protected] On Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 10:45 AM, Martin Lund <[email protected]>wrote: > I work on the south side of University Avenue between Lake & Park Streets > and have a relatively clear view of the street. Perhaps twice a month, > sometimes more, sometimes less, I witness cars traveling *eastbound* * > inside* the median-separated bike lane between Park & Lake. > > Less frequently, I have seen cars idling in the same bike lane, only > facing west, in front of the Lucky Building. I've twice confronted the > drivers of idling, west-facing cars, each with out of state plates, and > both of them seemed genuinely shocked that they were in a bike lane and > promptly relocated. One woman, from NY, said she thought it was a > median-lane for buses, taxis, and the like. > > As far as I know, there have been no collisions caused by either type of > situation, but I wonder if it's only a matter of time before this > happens. I'm not sure what the best solution is -- improved signs, > strategically placed pylons, or something else. > > As an aside, it is also not entirely uncommon to see eastbound traffic in > the auto lanes on University between Park and Lake. Again, no collisions > that I am aware of. > > Not sure who best to refer this to, and thought I'd start with the List. > > -Martin > > > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org > >
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