In what will be neither scenic or safe, Allentown is starting to mark off it's new bike lanes. One lane of Turner Street in center city will be eastbound, while westbound will waste one lane of Linden Street. The lanes will be virtually unused by bicyclists, but will succeed in congesting traffic during the weekday business hours. Here's an opportunity for our ten City Council candidates to chime in on the wisdom of this project. Although the plan received virtually no support during the planning stage, Pawlowski went ahead with it anyway. I will periodically change the photograph used on this post during the next couple days. Pedal on my spandex friends.UPDATE: I have just been informed by a reader that I misunderstood the new plan, the the symbol is for Shared Lane Use, called Sharrow. The right lane can be used by both motorists and bicyclists, with the bicyclist permitted to use the middle of the lane. How many center city residents will know the meaning and protocol for the symbol? I'm relieved that the city modified it's original bike only lane plan. Apparently, the Administration decided to go ahead and spend the money with the stencil company. Check back for changing photographs.
You are misunderstanding the meaning of this marking, which is a "sharrow" or shared-lane marking. It simply alerts motorists that cyclists may use the full travel lane. It does not prohibit motor vehicles from using the lane. Many cities, including Bethlehem and now Allentown, use them to mark bicycle commuting routes. See Wikipedia "shared-lane markings."
ReplyDeletewhen did this happen?
ReplyDeletedisgusted.
@12:58, thank you for the correction. i would be surprised if anybody commuteswith bicycles to center city allentown.
ReplyDeleteI love it, all the sharing.
ReplyDeleteMAO TSE TUNG
I agree that the new signs are pretty pointless, although I don't hate that the city is trying to make motorists more aware of cyclists. The new paint certainly wouldn't have prevented the recent death of the 15 year old who collided with an suv at 16th and Union.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as someone who lives by West Park and who drives and/or bikes on these streets pretty much every day as weather and purpose allow, I find that drivers are for the most part already pretty generous with the road, and the ones who aren't won't change their behavior because of a few stencils.
For the record, though, I don't wear spandex.
So when you've been proven mistaken about the bike lane and potential traffic congestion it will cause, you continue by complaining about the money spent on a stencil company?
ReplyDeleteYour curmudgeonliness knows no bounds.
You're awesome.
Wouldn't it make more sense to steer bike riders to less busy road? Linden is a through street, people are on that road to get from east to west ASAP. If you are using a bike that indicates speed isn't a priority, therefore put the "sharrow" on Liberty, Gorden, Allen, Washington, Union. Any of these streets would be a better choice than Linden.
ReplyDeleteScott Armstrong
@3:52, no bounds like your hostility?
ReplyDeleteIt surely will not matter how many laws/ ordinances get passed.
ReplyDeleteThis is a formula to get bicyclists hit by automobiles.
Alternately, iffen they make bike lanes, car traffic will certainly become much more of a nightmare.
Maybe the results of all the construction here in Allentown will be less traffic..... TPTB could ban cars on Hamilton St and make a wonderland for bicycles and pedestrians.
Considering many center city residents consider the drive lane another spot for permanent parking, good luck. Won't even get into the word, safety.
ReplyDeleteLehigh Street by the WaWa has a sign indicating no left turn specifc hours of the day. Wanna guess how many motorists ignore this?
ReplyDeleteWow. Allentown administration's delusion never ceases to amaze me. Just like the facade project, a gold plated pos is still a pos.
ReplyDelete