One more note about the bus-only contraflow lane. I can't remember if bikes were regular users of the bus lane (apart from the law, all those buses in a confined space were a deterrent to bikes. I do remember riding home on Johnson St., which I wouldn't have done if I had a convenient alternative), but they did start using it, in large numbers, when the bus drivers went on strike. And the police started giving tickets to the bicyclists -- which seemed pretty gratuitous at the time. After this went on for a while, Ken Hur, a lawyer and local character, noted that state law did not give cities the power to ban bikes, or any other traffic, from any roadway except freeways. So he drove his car down the bus lane, and dared the police to give him a ticket. As I recall, they didn't take the bait, and the bus lane became a shared bike/bus line until they moved the buses. From: "Robbie Webber" <[email protected]> To: "BikiesSubmissions" <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 6, 2014 8:16:47 AM Subject: Re: [Bikies] History of the counter flow lane on University Avenue
When I left Madison in 1980 the bikes, buses, and right turns all shared the right lane westbound. It was pretty hairy both because the buses were pulling to the right to stop and also because having a bus tailgating you isn't fun. As Mitch mentioned, the eastbound lane was a bus-only lane (I don't remember bikes using it, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen.) There was a t-shirt at the time that I regret not purchasing as a historical memento. It showed a stick figure on a bike leaning forward, depicting rushing or effort. Behind the bicyclist was a bus bearing down him, and the words, "I survived the bike lane on University Ave." I remember people stepping out into the eastbound bus without looking and a few close calls or collisions, although I don't remember and details. When I returned to Madison in 1986, the current arrangement was in place, and people were talking about the very bad collision between a bus and a student. I thought someone had been killed, but others have subsequently told me it was the loss-of-leg incident. I believe Arthur once told me that the University Ave eastbound lane was the first protected bike lane -- AKA cycletrack -- in the US. Robbie Webber Transportation Policy Analyst 608-263-9984 (o) [email protected] All opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer or any other group with which I am affiliated. _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
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