Description
the obstacles scattered all along north union street to delineate the bike lane pose Major hazards for motorcyclist. why are bicycle riders safety ahead of others in danger? Motorcyclists are people too.....if evasive action needs to be taken, a Motorcyclist will be hurt terribly, a bicycle rider can just bail off without a 500lb object landing om them...
also asked...
Q. What type of infrastructure are you requesting?
A. other
A. other
27 Comments
Acknowledged DPW Pine Customer Service (Verified Official)
RJ Lalumiere (Registered User)
Toiletmanners (Registered User)
Huh. I rode a motorcycle commuting to work all summer going through Union. I had to evade some incompetence a couple of times, but I was doing a proper speed and was able to slow or stop.
Even if I had to go over the armadillos, I'm fairly certain that I could get over them and not drop the motorcycle.
Burlingtonian (Registered User)
Toiletmanners (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Toiletmanners (Registered User)
"no one can say for sure they could navigate hitting a solid object while emergency braking at ANY speed"
If this is true, then we really shouldn't people be driving at all. I suspect you're exaggerating. But keeping a prudent speed allows for better stopping time and identifying actual hazards before it's too late to stop.
I was watching a vehicle weave up Union Street the other day. Running over the plastic armadillos and then weaving back. I thought he was drunk. Turns out he was just texting away on his phone. He was clearly comfortable enough on Union to put everyone in danger around him. Actual poured curbs would probably make him pay more attention, and if not, at least protect other people from his foolishness.
RJ Lalumiere (Registered User)
An anonymous SeeClickFix user (Registered User)
Toiletmanners (Registered User)
"so a poured curb that would actually make a vehicle jump violently TOWARDS someone is better?"
How would a poured curb make a vehicle jump toward someone? More likely the vehicle would steer away from the curb. Even more likely, it would cause drivers to be more cautious and slow down.
"putting human beings who chose to legally ride motorcycles to be in danger. How are their lives worth less?"
Who said anything about valuing certain people less? Making streets safer would go a long way to lowering the 30,000 people killed by automobiles every year.
Once again, I rode a motorcycle on Union Street all summer. Wasn't dangerous.
DPW Public Information Manager (Verified Official)
That Guy (Registered User)
Toiletmanners (Registered User)
Burlingtonian (Registered User)
Wolfgang Hokenmaier (Registered User)
Burlingtonian (Registered User)
Emmettsmithrules (Registered User)
Toiletmanners (Registered User)
RJ Lalumiere (Registered User)
RJ Lalumiere (Registered User)
RJ Lalumiere (Registered User)
RJ Lalumiere (Registered User)
RJ Lalumiere (Registered User)
Paint alone does not work because many motorists don't care about the safety of anyone not sharing their metal and glass cocoon. If drivers could actually be trusted to follow the law* it would be a different situation, but as demonstrated above that is not the case. Physical barriers are the only thing some drivers will respect.
* https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/013/01038
Title 23 : Motor Vehicles
Chapter 013 : Operation Of Vehicles
Subchapter 003 : Use Of Roadway
§ 1038. Driving on roadways laned for traffic
Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules shall apply in addition to all others consistent therewith:
(1) A vehicle shall only be driven, as nearly as practicable, entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from that lane until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety.
RJ Lalumiere (Registered User)
Emmettsmithrules, be prepared to have your mind blown, but you are not the only person in the city who pays taxes. And some of those other folks who pay taxes even happen to bike and like their taxes going to things that make it safer to bike in our city! 🤯🤯🤯
P.s., cities that are safer for biking are safer for EVERYONE.
https://www.cnu.org/sites/default/files/marshallw_cnu18.pdf
"High bicycling cities generally show a much lower risk of fatality or severecrashes for all roadusers when compared to many of the cities in our data base."
Burlingtonian (Registered User)
Closed DPW Planning NL (Verified Official)
Thank you for inquiring about this issue. In 2017 City Council approved planBTV Walk Bike and established a clear and ambitious goal to make Burlington the best small city for walking and biking on the East Coast. Union Street was the first location identified as a viable option for a protected bike lane. Protected bike lanes have numerous studies behind them that show they do not impede safety for other users, but do have the potential to increase the number of people riding bikes. Motor vehicle speeds on this street should be slow enough that any quick stops or potential conflicts should be manageable. While the posts may require slower speeds and more prudent driving, this is preferred to someone entering the bike lane and hitting a person instead of a post if they are trying to make a quick maneuver.
The posts are not intended to be a permanent installation but will be replaced by a constructed protected bike lane as capital funding is identified for that upgrade.
The Department of Public Works has resolved this request. Thanks for helping to keep Burlington a great place to live and work.
cburch (Registered User)