Troy wrote < Is there signage for drivers that reminds them NOT to cross into solid white bike marked lanes? every day it’s amazing how many do...>
Technically we already have these signs up, it’s the sign that reads “Bike Lane”. Note, however, (a) A solid white line does not mean you cannot cross it. It means you have to use more caution when crossing it. Bicyclists might have to leave the bike lane to avoid debris in the bike lane, or to move into the adjacent travel lane to make a left turn, for example. (b) Wisconsin State Statutes permit motorists, or it could be interpreted as requires motorists, to use bike lanes for certain movements – to turn into a driveway or to turn at an intersection for example. See state statutes below. These statutes are why bike lane signs in Madison used to read “Bicycles and Right Turns Only” instead of “Bikes Only” which was the federal standard prior to 2003. When the federal standard was changed in 2003 for this sign to simply read “Bike Lane”, we started to change to signs with this simpler wording. If anyone is interested, or confused, I can send pictures of the old and new signs as used in Madison and as shown in the federal sign manual. For more information on the use of bicycle lanes for both bicyclists and motorists, see http://www.cityofmadison.com/trafficEngineering/documents/BikeLaneBrochure2a.pdf Where have you been observing this behavior? I typically see it where we have Bus/Bicycle/Right Turn Only lanes, such as on Mineral Point Road between Whitney Way and the Beltline, where drivers will get into the BBRTO lane well in advance of their turn, but not on streets with regular bike lanes. With regular bike lanes I rarely even see drivers merging into the bike lane to make a right turn (or left for a left side bike lane on a one-way street like Johnson Street), refer to the statutes below. There have been complaints about northbound Seminole approaching the Beltline with drivers in the bike lane on Seminole waiting to turn right onto the eastbound Beltline on ramp when traffic is backed up. About the only other place I can recall having experienced this is northbound on Park Street when drivers wanting to enter the right turn lane to turn onto Johnson Street was backed up through the Dayton Street intersection (actually, it was a bus driver). Let me know where you are seeing this behavior so we can figure out if there is something we can do in those areas. 346.94 Miscellaneous prohibited or restricted acts. (12) DRIVING ON BICYCLE LANE OR BICYCLE WAY. No operator of a motor vehicle may drive upon a bicycle lane or bicycle way except to enter a driveway, to merge into a bicycle lane before turning at an intersection, or to enter or leave a parking space located adjacent to the bicycle lane or bicycle way. Persons operating a motor vehicle upon a bicycle lane or bicycle way shall yield the right−of−way to all bicycles and electric personal assistive mobility devices within the bicycle lane or bicycle way. 346.31 Required position and method of turning at intersections. (2) RIGHT TURNS. Both the approach for a right turn and the right turn shall be made as closely as practicable to the right−hand edge or curb of the roadway. If, because of the size of the vehicle or the nature of the intersecting roadway, the turn cannot be made from the traffic lane next to the right−hand edge of the roadway, the turn shall be made with due regard for all other traffic. 346.32 Required position for turning into private road or driveway. The operator of a vehicle on a highway who intends to turn into a private road or driveway shall make the approach for the turn in the same manner as specified in s. 346.31 for vehicles making an approach for a right or left turn at an intersection. If, because of the size of the vehicle or the nature of the intersecting private road or driveway, the turn cannot be made from the specified lane of approach, the turn shall be made with due regard for all other traffic. 346.34 Turning movements and required signals on turning and stopping. (1) TURNING. (a) No person may: 1. Turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in s. 346.31. 2. Turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway unless the vehicle is in proper position on the roadway as required in s. 346.32. 3. Turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. Arthur Ross, Pedestrian-Bicycle Coordinator City of Madison Traffic Engineering Division 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Suite 100 PO Box 2986 Madison, WI 53701-2986 608/266-6225
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