Re: [Bikies] Right turning motor vehicles out of Sheraton across Cap City Trail

[Hank Weiss via Bikies]

Mark:

 

I spent about 30 minutes watching and videoing on this gorgeous sunny
Thursday afternoon (https://goo.gl/photos/rbGgTHggrKcck2UT8).

Traffic out of the Radisson was fairly light at that time. The good news is
that most of the traffic movement is for left turns or straight ahead routes
and those turning right all signaled their intent. The smaller percentage
turning right to head into town with the opportunity to ignore the signage
is also limited by the green cycle and the fact that their path may be
blocked by someone waiting to go straight. That being said, of 6 vehicles
with the opportunity to turn right on red, 2 did so with little hesitation
as you can see here  . Nice to see
the cab and the hotel van comply with the signage. Real professionals there!

 

While more observation would be needed to establish reliable rates of
offending, it's obvious as others have pointed out, that the signage is
minimal, there are many other distractions at play, and this poor design
clearly poses a threat to cyclists headed south as they enter the
intersection on what they see as a green light. The scenario of a delivery
vehicle or bus (frequent at this hotel site I would guess) doing this, could
have a terrible outcome should a cyclist get tangled up in the wheel well.
The papers might call it a "freak accident"; I would call it homicide by
design.

 

This is a well-known issue related to two-way cycle paths at intersections
as Robbie pointed out; the drivers do not expect cross traffic and are
likely not to look for it as their own field of vision is called to the left
in order to turn safely, even if illegally. Definitely a hazard amenable to
better design, intersection control and technology, but just one of far too
many around the City.

 

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Re: [Bikies] What's Up with the End of East Mifflin Street*?

[tim wong via Bikies]

Is anyone aware of any new developments in getting the end of Mifflin St.
opened again for biking--between the Yahara River path and the "bike
boulevard" on Mifflin?  See earlier discussion.  I continue to note the
Jersey barriers still in place.  Did Susan Schmitz ever do anything about
it?

On Mon, Jul 6, 2015 at 11:45 AM, Mark Shahan  wrote:

>  I wasn't commenting on the desirability of the blockade at the end of
> Mifflin Street.  I realize it is a pain in the butt. Tim was asking if this
> had been discussed before on Bikies which was the question I was answering.
>  Another approach to this problem is to recognize that the Mulllins
> Group's property will probably be redeveloped in the future. When it does,
> granting of a permanent easement for peds and bikes should be a condition
> for approval.  Better yet, the City should reclaim the right of way by
> purchase if necessary.
>
>
> Mark N. Shahan
>
> On Sun, Jul 5, 2015 at 9:14 PM, Mary Ebeling  wrote:
>
>> Yes, I think most of us have been around to read earlier versions of the
>> "what's the deal with this block of E. Mifflin St.?" conversation. This has
>> been a thorn in the side of Isthmus cyclists for years. The Mullins Group,
>> which owns the property, has not wanted to participate in supporting
>> cycling through this E. Mifflin stub for years, resulting in a pretty silly
>> detour of the bike boulevard onto Dayton St several years ago. The recent
>> baracading of the end of the street with Jersey barriars and fencing is
>> just the latest, and most serious attempt to keep bikers and walkers off
>> the block of the street.
>>
>> Yes, the street is now privately owned, most of us know that. However,
>> this block forms a natural connection to the Yahara path and hundreds of
>> cyclists and pedestrians use this connection daily, year round. Mullins
>> Group is also on the board of Downtown Madison Inc., and therefore should
>> be working towards that groups long term goals, one of which is improving
>> quality of life. For reference, DMI's website contains this statement:
>>
>> "DMI continues to work with City of Madison staff, local officials, the
>> bicycle industry and bike advocates on policies, projects and plans that
>> enhance bicycle transportation and infrastructure in and through downtown
>> Madison. Issues and initiatives have included supporting bicycle
>> infrastructure projects, preparing the City of Madison Platinum Bike
>> Designation
>> 
>> application, advocating for timely and adequate winter bike-way snow
>> removal and promoting bicycling resources and events."
>>
>> I recently met with Susan Schmitz, DMI's director at the property to
>> discuss the situation. As a year-round cyclist, she agreed this did not
>> make much sense and she was planning to discuss this with Mullins. I have
>> not heard back, although it hasn't been that long sinced we met.
>>
>> I am also aware that there is construction going on there right now.
>> However there is always construction going on there. The building on the
>> property is in pretty iffy shape and there is lots of work being done on it
>> any given year.
>>
>> Simply put, Mullins is not being a good neighbor and at the very least,
>> they should be called out on that. For now, I'll continue cutting through
>> the back of the old Carl N John's Paddling and biking down that block of E
>> Mifflin St. From the tracks in the grass in the morning, it is clear I am
>> not the only one chosing this option.
>>
>>
>> Mary Ebeling
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 11:57 AM, Mark Shahan  wrote:
>>
>>> Tim,
>>>
>>> This has been on Bikies before.  The last time was March 19, 2013, and
>>> you participated in the thread.  The section of "Mifflin" blocked off from
>>> the Yahara River Path is private property now.  The City vacated the right
>>> of way in 1903.
>>>
>>> Mark
>>>
>>> On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 2:17 AM, tim wong  wrote:
>>>
 Does anyone know what's up with the Jersey barriers and fences keeping
 bicyclists and pedestrians (as well as motorists who have always been
 blocked) from getting through at the end of the property at what would be
 the end of Mifflin Street onto the Yahara River path?  In a seemingly
 passive-aggressive move some entity has consistently placed huge boulders
 to block passage by bicycles.  As we moved the easier ones away, they would
 be put back in place.

 So, what the hell?  This building houses a lot of state employees.
 Shouldn't they have access to the property from all directions?  There is a
 parking lot across Dickinson from the building that is blocked with Jersey
 barriers.  Is this transportational discrimination?

 A sign at the entrance at Dickinson says it is a "private space" and
 bicyclists should go use the bike route.