HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED CONFLICT?
In our December issue of The Pedal Post (eNewsletter), Bike Fort Collins posed the question: “Have you experienced conflict, or right-of-way confusion at the intersection of Stuart St. and Lemay Ave. while riding your bike?”
Thank you to those who responded. Below is a recap of the results.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In addition, for those who reported conflict, we asked them to describe their experience. Here is a sampling of the responses we received:
- “Hesitancy about right of way with bikes vs cars“
- “When heading East on Stuart, cars can get very confused or can come close to hitting cyclists when turning right.“
- “Cars pass too closely, and impatiently. Cars cut in front of cyclists. Cars come around the intersection too tight. Cars drive in the bike lane on Lemay. The bike lane is MUCH too small on lemay – below legal size. If cars need to pass with 3+ feet, then the bike lane needs to be big enough for me to ride in the middle and cars to pass with 3+ ft from my extremities (e.g., handlebars)”
- “I was stuck by a car turning in to the dentist office parking lot while going west in the bike lane”
- “Traveling East on Stuart as a cyclists. Motorists try to turn right around you. From same direction if left turn is backed up, motorists squeeze into the cycle lane. As well as this, unless a car is present the light, to cross Lemay, rarely changes for a cyclist alone. Going westbound on Stuart, most traffic is turning north onto Lemay yet cyclists are just dumped into the right turn lane and have to fend for themselves to go straight on. Also once across the junction the care home on Stuart always has parked vehicles which forces bikes to merge into traffic as the bike lane starts 15′ further down the road. I won’t even bother bringing up the gutter lanes on Lemay.”
HOW CAN IT BE IMPROVED?
Finally, we asked respondents how they thought the intersection/facility could be improved. Here is a sampling of the responses we received:
- “It’s hard to see cars driving South on lemay from Stuart or northbound on lemay because of the hill. We also worry about folks at the rehab center needing more time to cross the street. Also better bike lanes on Lemay, they are very very very narrow.”
- “We need a dedicated bike lane across intersection”
- “More traffic calming of Lemay”
- “Protected bike lanes and pedestrian bump outs”
- “Tree trimming, cyclists heading west are hard to see in the shade in the height of summer. Bike box at intersection. Better markings on the eastbound portion, especially in front of the school entrance.”
- “Extend Westbound bike lane on the west side of the junction beyond the parking spaces, so cyclists don’t have to merge into traffic or collide with parked vehicles. Painted bike box at the front of the junction so bikes can move out of right turners path. Specific bike detection zones under these boxes so the lights trigger for cyclists. Actual cycle lanes on the east side of the junction, not just the current lack of any guidance. Ideally real, protected bike lanes so street parked cars on Stuart don’t door cyclists.”
Again, thank you to all who responded—and for sharing their experiences. Stay tuned for additional surveys inquiring about other intersections and bicycle facilities.