I agree that this is a dangerous situation, both for cyclists as well as pedestrians. In addition to the measures you suggested, lowering speed limits and target speeds to about 15 MPH in the area, through traffic calming, could improve safety as well.

There are many young families and elderly people passing through this area and they are all at greater risk when visibility is reduced by careless vehicle operators.

The bike lane should be widened or replaced with sharrows. I would not recommend removing the bike lane altogether. In addition to the lane's traffic calming effect, studies show that drivers give cyclists much more passing room when there is a bike lane, and also that cyclists actually ride significantly farther away from the door zone when a lane is painted. One solution might be removing the double yellow line and making all of Orange Street a low-speed, shared space with suggested dashed bike margins, as per the Netherlands model.

Not even getting into any of those other issues, Nicca's just needs to get their delivery trucks out of the bike lane, out of the bus stop, and out of the parking lot. Those massive trucks need to stop parking in illegal spots.

If the parking lot is too full, get them to do deliveries at different times. That lot is not full all day.

These trucks also block the view for traffic (cars and bicycles) on Bishop at the western approach to the Bishop/Orange St intersection.

Whoops! I mean coming from the east on Bishop.

although I understand the need for the trucks I agree that that is a very, very dangerous section and it needs attention. I have come really close to getting hit there more than once and I have excellent bike handling skills.

Definitely, Martha. I've only experienced it once or twice myself.

I can attest to Mr. Weaver's excellent bike handling skills. Guy is a pro.

Just realized that this wasn't going to LCI building code--& added them--Walter, if you are reading this, what can be done to enforce the rules in this case? I love Nicca's & having a neighborhood market so close by, but I just want them to properly park their vehicles. Right now almost every time I go by, delivery people are in the bus stop, blocking line of sight to the parking lot, or even halfway into Bishop. What can be done?

This issue needs to go to Mike Piscitelli at Transportation, Traffic, & Parking. LCI can speak with the business owners about how this is a quality of life and safety issue. In my opinion, ENFORCEMENT is needed by Traffic. LCI will contact Traffic right now.

Thanks so much LCI: it's something I've held off on for a long time, because I really like Nicca's, I am just surprised that they still haven't fixed this. It's been a source of complaint throughout our neighborhood for a long time, and the parking lot was supposed to alleviate or ameliorate the issue--but it has only made it worse!

We spoke to the owner of Nica's. He tells us that he has requested that deliveries occur at off peak hours and that trucks should enter the parking lot to unload. He will contact these companies again about this issue. He wants to be a good neighbor and told us he is opened to any and all ideas to resolve this issue. The said he loves the neighborhood and respects his customers so he is willing to do whatever is possible to solve this problem.

Excellent. Thank you for such a prompt resolution! If Transportation can issue one or two tickets to the drivers who may still not follow the rules, I think it will actually help Nicca's, because it puts some teeth on their request.

If we can identify times we see drivers, can T&P commit to having someone check those times even just a few times?

Thank you so much.

I'm not sure if that will be possible, but we will try our best if you provide us with some information about times of violations.
Traffic Enforcemnet officers will be in the area today / Monday!
Also, the owner of Nica's said he thinks that people park here all day long and violate the 2 hour zone. He agrees that enforement is the best option. He said adding parking meters would be a good idea and would create more rapid turn over of parking spots and that violators might think twice about parking all day.

Thank you for watchingthis issue!
Report quality of life issues to LCI at (203) 946-7090!

"Thank you for the note. In response, the Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department is dispatching a parking enforcement officer today. Going forward, the department will do periodic and on-call enforcement as requested."

Has this improved?

I haven't noticed vehicles parked in the zone lately, but I go there at odd hours.

I think it's still a issue--unless we hear back that enforcement has happened.

Still an issue. I had this happen within the last few weeks (wish I had taken note of date/time, and vendor).

Based on the above, it sounds like we need to call the city TTP department each time "on call enforcement" is requested.

Is there a number to call during off-hours? What are the best numbers to call if you can't get through?

The only problem with on-call enforcement is the offenders will be gone. I think the best solution would be for TT&P to come here once a week at xx hours--maybe while picking up lunch for the staff :D--and do a quick ticket sweep.

I agree that's probably a better idea, as long as it is consistent... and Nica's has the best lunch in New Haven.

If I see a TTP staff at Nica's, I'll buy them lunch. They can even post here when they're planning to come ticket.

In the long term, I think something (like a temporary bollard or cone) should be added to the spot so people don't park there. Maybe even just paint, or a larger sign saying that parking there blocks the sightlines. Right now it's not as clear as it could be why you shouldn't park there.

The Dept. will be sending out a Zone Enforcement Officer today to monitor the area in front of Nica's Market and will continue to do so as part of their regular schedule.

Please report any further issues with this location in the future if the problem persists.

Thank you

Acknowledged By the Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department.