HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED CONFLICT?
In our September 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 Elizabeth and Taft Hill 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 what their experience. Here is a sampling of the responses we received:
- “1. Bikelane going westard is on the turn lane and it’s scarry. 2. High volume of traffic and unprotected bikelanes on all directions. And 3. When going from Elizabeth to South Taft, the bikelane is on the left side of the car turn lane, and it’s scarry and confusing to ensure priorities between cars and bikes.”
- “People have a hard time with a cyclist blocking the turn lane, or the zipper merge gets weird especially when the signal changes.”
- “Conflict in the westbound lane of Elizabeth St. bike lane ends before intersection and car in right turn lane became angry that I was in the far left portion of the turn lane preventing them from turning right on red.”
- “While eastbound on Elizabeth and approaching the intersection, driver behavior is unpredictable between vehicles entering/exiting King Soopers grocery entrance and/or gas station entrance. While eastbound and sitting at red lights, vehicles using the right turn lane approach the light at unsafe speeds and do not come to a full stop or come to a very abrupt stop in the crosswalk. “
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:
- “Protected lanes. clear signs for drivers and cyclist. traffic lights for cyclists.”
- “Widen it for better bike lanes.”
- “Wider bike lanes and a bike lane all the way on Taft Hill and the green painted area for bikes on both sides of Elizabeth (like at RMHS at swallow and shields).”
- “A road diet, getting more right of way from local businesses, or adding in more protection by removing a turn lane.”
- “Bike lane between right turn lane and straight lane of westbound Elizabeth Street.”
- “Elimination of right turns on red, better painting in the transition zone approaching the intersection where cars may be weaving and yielding to bikes.”
Again, thank you to all who responded—and for sharing their experiences. Stay tuned for additional surveys inquiring about other intersections and bicycle facilities.