Good Intentions, Bad Execution -- Berteau Greenway
Its probably not fair and a bit too early to judge, but the Berteau Greenway looks to be a disaster in the making for Bicycles. They have decided to keep it "open" end to end for cars rather than putting in a series of cul de sac's open for bicycles. To "calm" the traffic, they have narrowed the intersections. Will it slow down cars, if two cars are coming in opposite directions, yes, certainly. But with bicycles involved, it may well simply result in cars crowding bicycles to the side of the road. Add to this the fact that at one way portions of Berteau, they are going to allow two way bicycling.... which, in addition to being a bad idea due to the narrowness of the street, sends the message to at least a portion of the community that Salmoning is not a bad idea. Maybe I will love it.... but my current plan is to find another street to come across... perhaps Lincoln to Grace..
Views: 3360
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on
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I think this is not the case when coming on Clark northbound. In my experience there is often a long line of cars on Clark waiting to proceed northbound at the Southport red light.
Duppie 13.5185km said:What's with the desire to stay ahead of cars? Let them pass already!
I ride up Southport daily. By the time I get to the other end of that intersection after the lights turn green, cars are already way ahead of me and I have a free roadway. That works because there are rarely more than a few cars waiting on Southport to turn left on Clark.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on
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The westernmost contraflow lanes are too narrow – you're basically entirely in the door zone. The design of the road doesn't slow cars down at all, and without lane diverters (the median on Clark is designed in a way to still allow left turns onto Berteau) it's not really a neighborhood greenway. Just a regular residential street with some extra paint and a few wider curbs. CDOT half-assed this one, and it shows.
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Permalink Reply by Craig S. on
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I rode southward through there last week during morning rush. I have no problems with taking a lane if I need to, however, when cars have no traffic control southbound from Montrose their speeds are higher than mine. I pulled over before hitting that island and waited for a break. Whomever advocated the sentiment that we're "supposed to take a lane," I say go for it at during travel times and see how long ya last.
It's a goddamn god awful design.
Jeff Schneider said:It's happened already. Tonight I see that the sign on the south end of the island has been run over by a driver and completely flattened. That sign actually had reflectors to warn drivers of the presence of the island.
Jeff Schneider said:Going north on Clark past the pedestrian island makes me a bit nervous. There is not enough room for a car to pass a bike adjacent to the island. I fear that drivers following me will either run over the island trying to pass me or run me down when they notice the island and don't have time to stop.
OT: Tonight I saw another driver run over a crosswalk stop sign. If they can't see the sign, would they see me?
Duppie 13.5185km said:As part of the Greenway, they put in bumpouts and a pedestrian island where Clark and Berteau meet. Cars regularly speed on thatstretch. They also painted the contra flow bike lanes.
Overall, the biggest improvement is various pieces of insfrastructure to slow traffic down. Sounds like a win to me.
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Permalink Reply by Renee Patten on
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Wrote an article from the Huffington Post; goes over a lot of the issues people have posted here.
"A Ride Across the Berteau Avenue Greenway"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/renee-patten/a-ride-across-the-bertea...
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Permalink Reply by Davo on
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Damen has some signs posted but In not the most visible places.
Cameron 7.5 mi said:I rode a the contraflow section of Berteau for the first time last night. When you approach this section from a cross street, there really isn't any indication to pedestrians and motorists that there is two way bike traffic. The street really looks like a one way street and I worry that most cross traffic will only look one way.
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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on
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any updates here? I rode it a few days ago and thought the cars looked at me like i was riding the wrong way. And when riding west I was a bit fearful for my life that a car was going to honk at me for taking over the lane.
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Permalink Reply by Mark on
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The signs on the island in the middle of Clark have been run over as predicted, so now there is no warning for drivers. This island is dangerous for both cyclists and drivers and needs to be removed!
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Rather than grousing here about how godawful this street/intersection design is, who within the city complex needs to here these same opinions? Streets and San? 311? Who can create deliberate action towards fixing this mess?
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Pretty sure those who are in charge will read this, so the more observations, helpful tips and opinions, the better.
Craig S. said:Rather than grousing here about how godawful this street/intersection design is, who within the city complex needs to here these same opinions? Streets and San? 311? Who can create deliberate action towards fixing this mess?
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Wow, can't believe i wrote "here" in place of "hear." Unforgivable user error on my part.
Really? People in the city's administration read this blasted forum?
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Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on
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Honestly I think the huge problem is education. Of drivers, but of all users. The greenway is made for bikes to fully take the lane and cars to slow down behind us, but if no one knows that, a bad situation grows. I think our local ward folks and CDOT bike program might be able to help. I'll bring the issue to the next transportation committee meeting for sure.
Keep it coming!
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