<html>
<body>
But having to stop offers opportunities to "put the pedal to the
...." well, to get some practice at accelerating, right?<br><br>
More seriously, have you discovered the concept/practice of Bike or
Bicycle Boulevards? <br><br>
<br>
<h3><b>From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</b></h3>(Redirected from
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bicycle_Boulevards&redirect=no">
Bicycle Boulevards</a>)<br><br>
A <b>bicycle boulevard</b> is a shared roadway which has been optimized
for bicycle traffic. In contrast with other shared roadways, bicycle
boulevards discourage cut-through motor vehicle traffic, but typically
allow local motor vehicle traffic. They are designed to give priority to
cyclists as through-going traffic.<br><br>
Bicycle boulevards cater to would-be, inexperienced, and young riders. As
such, bicycle boulevards can be considered "stepping stone"
facilities that help recreational riders (for example) move from
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_path">bicycle paths</a> and
trails onto shared roadways.<br><br>
Bicycle boulevards use a variety of traffic calming elements to achieve a
safe environment. For instance, diverters with bicycle cut-outs at
mid-block allow motorists to enter the block in order to park or
otherwise access a property, and allow cyclists to continue to the next
block as well, but do not allow motorists to continue. Typically, these
modifications are thought to calm traffic and improve pedestrian safety
as well as encouraging bicycling.<br><br>
The purpose of a bicycle boulevard is to improve
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_safety">bicycle safety</a>
and circulation by having or creating one or more of the following
conditions:
<ul>
<li>low <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic">traffic</a>
volumes (or bike lanes where traffic volumes are medium);
<li>discouragement of non-local motor vehicle traffic;
<li>free-flow travel for bikes by assigning the
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic#Right_of_way">
right-of-way</a> to the bicycle boulevard at
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersection_%28road%29">
intersections</a> wherever possible;
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_light">traffic
control</a> to help bicycles cross major
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arterial_road">arterial roads</a>;
and
<li>a distinctive look and/or ambiance such that cyclists become aware of
the existence of the bike boulevard and motorists are alerted that the
roadway is a priority route for bicyclists.
</ul>>>>><br>
These seem to certainly be cheaper to develop than Bike Paths, provide
more comfortable riding conditions without requiring or encouraging
non-vehicular movements for bicyclists, etc. I could see bicycling on
Meade Ave benefited by this treatment through Mid-City. Where
else?<br><br>
Jim (bikes anywhere it's legal) Baross<br><br>
At 06:17 PM 3/31/2008, Gene Carman wrote:<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">The biggest problem with the
"bike route" idea is still the energy wasted by the cyclist
while having to stop for each and every traffic control... that is
the advantage of a bicycle hiway... preserving inertia... you
maintain your pace for the whole distance. Imagine a route free of
stoplights... Well such a thing exists if you are a motorist... but
cyclists have no such a thing. (this is one reason some cyclists
"jump" lights)<br><br>
A nice wide bike path, similar to the path that exists along 56, along
each of our local main freeways would offer interconnectivity and inertia
savings that would make it far easier to persons wanting to cycle vice
drive. Why should cyclists be burdened with the traffic
control system set up for motorists?<br><br>
How many of us go out into the country for nice long rides... only
to come into the city and have to deal with congested roadways and
traffic control geared for motorized traffic? <br><br>
<br><br>
At 09:09 AM 3/31/2008, Derek Hofmann wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">As a short-term, possibly
cheaper alternative to building new fully separated bike paths along
freeways, how about creating "official" bike routes that
roughly parallel freeways, using existing streets and new signs pointing
the way? For example, the SR-52 bike route could use Clairemont Mesa
Boulevard for one leg of the route.<br><br>
On 3/30/08, <b>Gene Carman</b>
<<a href="mailto:gcarman@san.rr.com">gcarman@san.rr.com</a>> wrote:
<dl>
<dd>Actually a bikepath "hiway" along the same routes of the
existing freeways would probably serve the largest population in the area
due to population growth that tends to occur along freeways.
Cyclists want to go to the same locations as drivers.
<dd>In many cases, there is a wider amount of land dedicated to the
freeway right of way then is actually used for freeway... a single
bikepath can be created in less space then 2 new lanes on a freeway, and
along the same right of way. Adding a 10 foot wide bikepath
can reduce the traffic load on a freeway more then adding two 10 foot
wide lanes to a Freeway can reduce congestion.
<dd>Funding should come from the same agencies that fund
Freeways... bike transportation facilities are simply another form
of public transportation.
<dd>OK, I've answered all the questions... when do we get started?
<br>
<br>
<dd>At 10:13 AM 3/30/2008, Jim Baross, Jr.
wrote:<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd>I'm happy and supportive of Eric's inspirations! Speaking in
generalities, this sounds and could be wonderful... though you are likely
to read responses about how it couldn't or shouldn't be done.
:-(
<dd>To seriously act on the inspiration - one that isn't BTW new to many
of us - something besides dreaming and typing needs doing, right?
<dd>Now, a few task suggestions. Figure out exactly where you think such
a proposal would work in the San Diego area; a Bike Path or maybe a
Bicycle Boulevard or ? ... connecting what and following or creating what
route... then maybe think about/research an estimate of costs 'cause
besides location, cost matters big time! You might be ready then with a
proposal that SDCBC, an individual, or ? would propose to the site-owning
agency for funding. Sound exciting? Good, then do it.<br>
<dd>It's sort of useless to debate the generalities between facility
types when it's the specific site and uses that make for bigger
differences, IMHO. Let's get specific.
<dd>* Ban all but bikes, transit and delivery vehicles in a downtown
area?... or impose single-occupancy vehicle use taxes for downtown like
London has?
<dd>* Create a Bike Path/MUP/Bike Boulevard linking Mid City or UCSD/SDSU
or ? to Downtown or University Town Center/La Mesa or ?
<dd>* what?
<dd>Jim (likes dreams, lives reality) Baross
<dd>At 01:52 AM 3/30/2008, Eric Converse
wrote:<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd>I've been inspired. These recent discussions on bicycle paths
have led me to create the following blog entry:
<dd>San Diego and Bogota Columbia (a bicyle path comparison):
<dd><a href="http://www.ativsolutions.com/cblog">
www.ativsolutions.com/cblog</a>
<dd>In short, you'll notice that Bogota (serving a much larger, and
poorer, population) does a couple of things we don't do here. Their
bicycle paths are contiguous and are routed through major population
centers. While many of our bicycle paths, while pretty (riding next
to the water mainly),are often fragmented with huge gaps between
them. What we need are long continuous paths (much like our freeway
system) that provide a backbone for this city's bicycle transportation
network. Needless to say we won't always be on a bicycle path no
matter how good we make the system, but we can provide a network that
links the city together and serves vastly more people.
<dd>Can't we do at least as good as a poor city in a third world
country?
<dd>Eric</blockquote>
<dd>_______________________________________________
<dd>You are subscribed to the SDCBC mailing list as
<a href="mailto:gcarman@san.rr.com">gcarman@san.rr.com</a>
<dd>To unsubscribe or change mailing options, go to
<a href="http://www.bikesandiego.org/mailman/listinfo/sdcbc">
http://www.bikesandiego.org/mailman/listinfo/sdcbc</a>
<dd>List privacy information is located at
<a href="http://www.stickman-computing.org/aup">
http://www.stickman-computing.org/aup</a>
<dd>For help or to talk with someone other than the mail robot, send
e-mail to
<a href="mailto:postmaster@stickman-computing.org">
postmaster@stickman-computing.org</a></blockquote>
<dd>_______________________________________________
<dd>You are subscribed to the SDCBC mailing list as
<a href="mailto:derek.hofmann@gmail.com">derek.hofmann@gmail.com</a>
<dd>To unsubscribe or change mailing options, go to
<a href="http://www.bikesandiego.org/mailman/listinfo/sdcbc">
http://www.bikesandiego.org/mailman/listinfo/sdcbc</a>
<dd>List privacy information is located at
<a href="http://www.stickman-computing.org/aup">
http://www.stickman-computing.org/aup</a>
<dd>For help or to talk with someone other than the mail robot, send
e-mail to
<a href="mailto:postmaster@stickman-computing.org">
postmaster@stickman-computing.org</a><br><br>
</dl><br><br>
<br>
-- <br>
Thanks,<br><br>
Derek Hofmann<br>
<a href="mailto:derek.hofmann@gmail.com">derek.hofmann@gmail.com</a>
</blockquote></blockquote></body>
</html>