Great to get a complete answer from a Mpls issues posting. Might be better to have it posted to the list as I know I'm not the only one interested in city biking. This answer seems to be a totally inadequate response. Bollards may be being hit instead of bikers. I know I feel much less safe with the change. The city response follows
Good Afternoon Represeantive Kahn, I am responding to a question you asked on the Minneapolis Issues Forum about a week ago that was forwarded to me regarding the missing bicycle lane bollards along Hennepin Avenue at 3rd Street South, 5th Street South, and 7th Street South. After the installation of the Hennepin Avenue bicycle lanes Minneapolis Public Works noticed a bicycle crash trend where cars turning left were colliding into northbound bicycles using the bicycle lane. To mitigate this problem bollards were placed in the street to warn bicyclists and motorist of this potential conflict. Since their installation the bollards have been a maintenance headache. Each winter the bollards would need to be removed for proper snow removal. The bollards were also removed for events such as the Aquatennial parade and other events. In addition, the bollards were often damaged by turning cars. Due to the high level of maintenance and recent budget contraints Public Works decided to not reinstall the bollards. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank You Donald Pflaum City of Minneapolis Public Works Minneapolis, MN 55415-1314 612-673-2129 State Rep. Phyllis Kahn 59B REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
