[SDCBC] shared space

[Serge Issakov]

Well Monderman just passed away this year.
But what is each one's stand on the question?

Anyway, I think the issue relevant to bicyclists isn't do WOLs encourage
motorists to drive faster than they do in narrow lanes, but how fast do they
drive in typical configurations *with bicyclists (or joggers/peds) present
in the WOL or BL*.

So for an apples to apples comparison, I would want to compare driver
behavior in:

a) 15' WOL with bicyclist present up ahead hugging the curb
b) 15' WOL with bicyclist present up ahead tracking 12' right of traffic
lane stripe
c) 11' NOL + 4' BL with bicyclist present up ahead in bike lane tracking 12'
right of traffic lane stripe

traffic lane stripe = the stripe demarcating the left edge of the outside
traffic lane
WOL = Wide Outside Lane
NOL = Narrow Outside Lane
BL = Bike Lane

>From what I understand about shared space philosophy, the clarity of ROW
created by the BL stripe in (c) would result in motorist behavior being
largely unaffected by the bicyclist's presence, while the bicyclist's
presence - because of the more ambiguous ROW situation - in (a) and
especially (b) would tend to cause motorists to take notice and slow down.

That certainly explains the behavior I see when I'm riding in traffic.  In
fact, in WOLs, when a motorist approaching from behind (I use a mirror for
this very purpose) does not alter his track or speed in a way that indicates
he has noticed me, I see that as a very rare red flag situation that
indicates I should do something to grab his attention (move laterally a foot
or two either way, look back, issue slow/stop arm signal, etc.).  When
riding in a bike lane, I don't have that luxury because the vast majority of
drivers are driving as if I'm not even there.  In other words, it's obvious
that the bike lane stripe does its job: it clarifies lateral ROW between the
motorist and the cyclist.  But I'd rather be noticed and have the driver be
a bit stressed about my presence so that he slows, takes care and isn't
attending to a distraction as he passes, especially on high speed roads, but
maybe that's just me.

Serge


On Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 7:32 AM, John Eldon <j.eldon at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>  I would welcome an informed, factual, unemotional debate between Hans
> Monderman and Dan Burden. Do WOLs encourage motorists to drive faster than
> they do in narrow lanes, or slower? I am reading and hearing diametrically
> opposed opinions from purported experts.
>


-- 
NOTE: Any opinions expressed above are mine and not necessarily shared by
any organization in which I am involved.
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