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More on cycle tracks: Engineers and other key players should explore the possibility of bringing the N. European style of bikeways (cycle tracks) to their respective city. The premise of this technique is to separate on-street bikeways from the flow of auto-traffic with a physical barrier. This can be accomplished by reducing travel lanes in each direction on arterial streets (road diet), removing on-street parking, narrowing the travel widths for cars, or switching existing bike lanes and car parking. By reducing the amount of asphalt dedicated to cars, there may be room to create 6-10 ft. bikeways next to the sidewalk. Between this bikeway and the auto traffic could be a row of parked cars or a small 'sidian' boulevard- 2 to 8 feet or so (concrete or landscaped, wide enough to provide security, at least 3 feet if next to parked cars). This concept could be a key component to realizing the immense potential of cycling. Consider this statement: Cyclists should be next to pedestrians, not cast into traffic to deal with inattentive drivers, opening car doors, and sporadic parking maneuvers. Cities in N. Europe with separate bikeways have 20% to 50% of all trips being made by bicycle. Compare this to 1% to 5% of trips made by bicycle in a typical US city. While America's land use patterns are different from Europe's (more sprawling), one study has shown that roughly half of all auto trips in the United States are under two miles- a very bikable (and walkable) distance. Shrinking wide roadways while providing dedicated cycling facilities can promote safe alternatives to driving. |
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