Unique opportunity to transform Newark's Main Street

Newark's Main Street is up for Pave & Rehab in 2017. Advocates have a historic opportunity to greatly improve bicycle safety and comfort downtown, if the City communicates to DelDOT their desire to participate in a national green lane experiment. DelDOT will not initiate this on their own; it will take the City, or the Newark Bicycle Committee, to spearhead the effort, with DelDOT in a supporting (and application) role. According to NACTO's website:

. . . in 2009, the city of Long Beach received FHWA and CTCDC approval to experiment with a shared lane marking that is set within a 5’ green painted area at the midpoint of the roadway in the left-most and right-most lanes.  A study conducted as part of the experiment measured a 100% increase in cyclists and an improvement in bicyclist lateral position in the roadway.

It is important that cities participate in these studies, in order for new infrastructure concepts to be adopted into National and State manuals as standard treatments. For example, in 2007, Ithaca NY was among several cities that participated in the use of Sharrows, and having them included in the 2009 MUTCD for the first time.

Newark is moving forward with "Parkettes". It goes without saying that designating Main Street's right lane (clearly marked) for mixed use would only increase safety. Sitting outside within the confines of a parking space, immediately adjacent to passing traffic will be a leap of faith for most people in the current environment. Though uncommon, parkettes have been struck by cars.

It should also be noted that for many years, Newark officials (most notably Mayor Vance Funk) declared that they had a vision for a Main Street bike lane, even if it came at the expense of one side of car parking. Instead, we have businesses and city planners scrambling to add a parking garage.

Though it has been strictly outlawed, most UD students and locals that bike Newark simply refuse to ride in Main Street's right lane in its current configuration (sharrows only). Aggressive and distracted driving are among the top reasons cited, and that's not about to change anytime soon.

Conclusion: Though there would need a push, and some initial work involved, Newark has a unique opportunity to improve bicycle and (future) parkette safety on Main Street. They would encourage more folks to ride in the right lane where they belong. Mode share for non-motorized traffic would increase. The City would be participating in a national process to have shared green lane infrastructure nationally approved. They would be making due on their long promised Main Street bike lane, though a shared lane compromise (but one we could all embrace). It would be a great shame if Newark did not pursue this idea, and chose to commit this upcoming Pave & Rehab project with only Sharrows to show for it, for the duration of its life, which could be 15 years or more.

It's time to take back the streets in Wilmington

Better Block Wilmington brings new life to Union Street

Cross-posted from Bike Delaware -- For three days last month, the 600 block of Union Street in West Side Wilmington looked a bit different than usual. For these three days (August 11-13), one lane of traffic was closed to vehicles and converted into a lively, vibrant public space where residents could sit, eat, relax, listen to music, and enjoy the re-purposing of an otherwise abrasive environment. This temporary transformation was the doing of Better Block Wilmington, Delaware’s first incarnation of the Better Block Project.

The Better Block Project is a nationally-recognized demonstration tool in which residents temporarily modify the looks and functionality of a small part of their neighborhood. Better Block Projects aim to identify and offer solutions to community concerns of pedestrian safety, livability, and aesthetics. Exhibited over a short period of time and organized with a minimal budget, these projects show how small changes can yield large impacts for businesses, individuals and the community as a whole. [Full article ...]

In other news, it appears that Wilmington's Transportation Enhancements Grant has finally been approved. With it, Bike Wilmington (WBAC) will successfully attain $200,000 to implement bike infrastructure improvements within the City. The effort will address four (4) primary corridors that will serve to connect the City’s neighborhoods to the downtown commercial district. Additionally, the Committee will be working with its consultant McCormick Taylor, DART, Wilmington Initiatives and the Challenge Program to develop a cutting edge, multi-modal bus shelter prototype that will serve the needs of transit riders and bicyclists.

The above improvements were criticized by Bike Delaware, and slow to gain traction within City government. However, Wilmapco Council voted on May 8th to give these improvements the highest priority in the TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan).

The use of sharrows and signage isn’t perfect, but the City will get miles of visible routes on a very small budget, providing for an excellent start. It is important to note that the project was developed and supported by the community itself. You can also visit Wilmington's Bicycle Plan, developed in conjunction with Wilmapco.

The City of Wilmington has an awful lot going for it, including a spectacular Grand Prix every May. Don't miss it in 2015! Visit the event website for details.

In addition, Bike Wilmington has been coordinating and assisting the Department of Public Works to determine logical and safe locations for bike parking (racks) throughout the City. Phase I of a City-wide rack install effort is complete; phase II is under research and development; and a final phase is set to occur next Spring. Sharrows have already been installed on Market Street with the above mentioned sharrows to follow in the near future. If you are aware of a location that is in need of bike parking, please contact Leah Kacanda at lvkacanda@WilmingtonDE.gov.

Bike Lanes (and sharrows) require buffering from the door zone

Photo courtesy of NACTO.org

By Steven Vance, Streetsblog -- A new study has found that buffered bike lanes are better than conventional bike lanes when it comes to encouraging bicyclists to ride outside the door zone. The study draws its conclusion, in part, based on a test done with bike lanes in Chicago.

The study, recently published by the Transportation Research Board, concludes that wider but un-buffered bike lanes aren’t necessarily better than narrower lanes in encouraging bicyclists to ride outside the door zone. If there’s enough space to make a wider bike lane, the authors conclude, that extra space should be used to install a “narrower bicycle lane with a parking-side buffer,” which “provides distinct advantages over a wider bike lane with no buffer.”

Researchers reached their conclusions after observing thousands of cyclists using various bike lane configurations in Chicago and Cambridge, Massachusetts. On one Chicago street, for example, few bicyclists rode outside the door zone when the bike lane had no buffer, then after a two-foot buffer was striped, 40 percent rode outside the door zone. [Full article ...]

Poster's note: On the recent Tour of Vermont and New Hampshire, the City of Pittsfield, Massachusetts had sharrows placed directly in the door zone along primary streets. As stated in Wikipedia, the purpose of the sharrow is to "Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in a shared lane with on-street parallel parking in order to reduce the chance of a bicyclist’s impacting the open door of a parked vehicle", so it is not clear what traffic engineers were thinking when these were installed (photos below).

2 bicyclists caught in the act, riding against traffic. Is it contempt, or the persistence of Bike Salmon?

Any cyclist riding within the sharrow footprint here is eventually going to get whacked with a car door.

The above video perfectly illustrates the issue, and provides educational tips for motorists. We don't believe DelDOT would ever be silly enough to try this, but as advocates, we must be on our guard at all times. This includes when bike lanes are proposed for streets that include parallel parking.

Both Wilmington and Newark followed the guidelines when it comes to sharrow placement. Market Street (above) and Main Street have their sharrows at or near the center of the lanes, well outside the door zone where they belong.

Newark Bike Lanes and Sharrows Phase 2 complete!

We are very happy to report that Phase 2 of Sharrows and Bike Lanes in Newark is now complete. This project speaks loud and clear that the City is committed to moving the Bicycle Plan forward. And that they are serious about maintaining existing bicycle facilities as well - both on and off the road. In the words of Tom Coleman, DPW Director:

"We are very happy with the installation, and recently went around to touch up the sharrows that were damaged by snow plows on Main Street. We are using a new product and are very happy so far, as the symbols go down very quickly and hold up fairly well (so long as we don’t have winters like this past year every year)"

Advocates have also been encouraging Newark to set aside part of their transportation budget each year specifically for Bicycle Plan implementation. Failure to do so will keep things moving at a much slower pace, given a total reliance on DelDOT to include facility treatments only with Pave & Rehab operations. But with the support of the Mayor, key City Staff, and City Council, the chances of dedicated funds should be excellent. It only makes sense; DelDOT has granted Newark permission to move forward with these improvements on their own, and for that we are grateful.

A huge tip of the helmet to all of those who worked together to make this happen, including Tom Meyer of DelDOT who assisted with the layout and drawings. Also, Representative Paul Baumbach, who secured the funds for all of Phase 2 materials. Newark's bicycle-friendly future has never been brighter!

A brand new, plenty wide bike lane heads straight up West Main Street in Newark.

Wilmington Bicycle Facility Improvements Move Forward

Area bicyclists are encouraged at every opportunity to talk up Wilmington’s planned bike routes that will be funded by a Transportation Enhancements (TE) grant. The plan has been criticized by Bike Delaware, and slow to gain traction with City government. However, Wilmapco Council voted on May 8th to give these improvements the highest priority in the TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan).

The use of sharrows and signage isn’t perfect, but the City can get miles of visible routes on a very small budget, and that is an excellent start. It is important to note that this project was developed and supported by the community itself.

We are asking our readers to talk it up in active circles. Post comments here on Delaware Bikes and any other organizations that are willing to listen. Post comments whenever you see a good opportunity on Bike Delaware's website and Facebook page. Wilmington is far behind many other cities of similar size when it comes to infrastructure and the implementation of bicycle safety improvements, and we need to get this moving.

A bicyclist enjoys a freshly applied Sharrow on Market Street in Wilmington (photo courtesy of David Blankenship)

Boston Debuts "Sharrows On Steroids"

From Boston.com -- A new set of street markings on Allston’s Brighton Avenue aren’t simply an errant set of dashes installed by city staff with extra paint - they’re part of a national experiment to test innovative bike facilities.

I first noticed the markings last week while driving through Allston Village. Running down the right-hand lanes on both sides of Brighton Avenue are bike-priority icons, known as “sharrows” in cyclist parlance, hugged by two sets of dashed lines along either side that make the lane look more like an airport runway.

My first thought: Sharrows on steroids!

And Boston bike czar Nicole Freedman said that’s exactly what they are. (Well, except that the former Olympic cyclist wasn’t too happy about the doping analogy.) Officially, the markings have a more dignified name: Priority shared-lane markings.

Sharrows, or shared lane markings, indicate that cars must share the lane with cyclists. Transportation officials use them on roads when there’s no space, money, or political will to section off pavement for bike lanes. For that reason, the sharrows are often viewed in bike circles as low-hanging fruit: The wimpiest, least ambitious method of asserting space for people who ride bikes.

But when it came to Brighton Avenue, a road that is well-traveled by cyclists but too narrow for bike-only facilities, Freedman and her staff brainstormed if there was a way to beef up the garden-variety sharrow.  [keep reading]

Poster's note: Sharrows and "Bicycles May Use Full Lane" signs have enhanced safety on Newark's Main Street. However, according to comments on the Newark Bike Project's facebook page, bicyclists are still being harassed by motorists while legitimately taking the lane. Perhaps a more aggressive approach, and/or better enforcement is needed?

Newark Bicycle Comittee Meeting on August 22

Attend a Newark Bicycle Committee meeting and become part of a community of cyclists who are working hard to improve safety and Newark's status as a bicycle-friendly city. Probably the most exciting project at this time is the creation of the city's Bicycle Plan, and beginning the implementation of bicycle-friendly infrastructure. Drop by and learn more!

AGENDA:

1.    Introductions

2.    Newark Bicycle Plan.

a.    Newark Bicycle Plan Update

3.    Community Day – 9/15/13

4.    Old Business

a.    Bicycle Improvements/ Sharrows – Part II

5.    New Business

6.    Adjourn


Volunteers are appreciated for all events and committee work. Meetings are held monthly at WILMAPCO on the 3rd Thursday, 4 p.m., click here for directions. Send us an email to be added to the committee email list.

Visit NBC's homepage for complete details.

Public Workshop: City of Wilmington Bike Facility Improvements

By Tamika Graham -- The City of Wilmington and its Bicycle Advisory Committee is aiming to capitalize on its past success of promoting bicycling with budget-friendly safety improvements. On November 2010, Wilmington successfully installed sharrow lane markings along Market Street in the downtown area - the first installation in the state of Delaware. Sharrow lane markings help convey to motorists and bicyclists that they must share the roads, and indicate a preferred path of travel and positioning for bicyclists relative to parked motor vehicles. This marking was formally introduced through the 2009 version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which provides standards for traffic control devices, and has become very popular among states and cities aiming to encourage the safe coexistence of bicyclists and motorists. Wilmington bicyclists have noted the visible improvements in the downtown area and are often seen positioning themselves along the markings.

An application was submitted through the former Transportation Enhancements program (presently known as Transportation Alternative Program) for a variety of improvements citywide.  Using 80% of federal funds through this source will help the City leverage its limited resources.  Members of the public are invited to comment on a proposed north-south, east-west bicycle route that will consist of sharrow lane markings and bicycle directional signage through several neighborhoods across the City. This proposed project will implement recommendations from the adopted Wilmington Bicycle Plan to promote bicycle usage and safety. An open house public workshop will be held on Thursday, August 22nd, anytime between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., in the main lobby of the Louis Redding City/County Building, 800 N French Street, Wilmington, 19801. Staff from the City of Wilmington, DelDOT consultants, and WILMAPCO will be present to answer questions. For more information, visit us on line HERE.

View Larger Map

Newark Sharrows: Phase 2

Representative Paul Baumbach of Newark has submitted a funding request associated with Phase 2 of the sharrows project. Tom Meyer, P.E. with DelDOT, has completed plans for additional sharrows through the Main Street split, adjacent to the Newark Bike Project's current location. They will also be added to Hillside Avenue between West Main Street and New London Road. Some new sections of bike lane will also be added on West Main Street, given such generous lane width.

It's time we all give a huge round of applause to Heather Dunigan (Wilmapco), Mike Fortner (Newark Bicycle Committee), Tom Coleman (Newark DPW), and everyone else involved for moving this forward. The Newark Bicycle Plan is mainly dependent on road resurfacing projects to move things along, but some components - in this case sharrow implementation - are a relatively low cost, easy way to get things started.

Newark Post: A Symbol of Sharing

Check out today's edition of the Newark Post, both the front page and page 12. The City of Newark has done a fabulous job on the education front, getting the word out to major media outlets on the meaning of sharrows.

 

WNJ: In Newark, a visual reminder for cars, bikes to share the road

Wilmington News Journal on May 11

In time for national Bike to Work Week, Newark is installing “sharrow” pavement markings along East Main Street, reminding motorists and bicyclists to share the road.

City workers began placing the markers along the one-way corridor Thursday between Library Avenue and the Deer Park Tavern, according to city staff.

“Sharrows help position bicyclists within the lane and alert motorists to the presence of bicycles,” said Heather Dunigan, a planner with the Wilmington Area Planning Council.

“Improving bicycling on Main Street has emerged as a major concern we’ve heard during the Newark Bicycle Plan development.”

The sharrows, which cost about $3,000, are reflective chevrons with a symbol of a cyclist in a helmet. City Manager Carol Houck considers them a step in transitioning Newark to a “more bicycle-friendly” community, she said in a statement.  [full article...]

Sharrows arrive in time for Newark Bike to Work Day

By Heather Dunigan, Wilmapco -- Shared lane pavement markings (or “sharrows”) are bicycle symbols that are placed in the roadway lane indicating that motorists should expect to see and share the lane with bicycles. Unlike bicycle lanes, they do not dedicate a particular part of the roadway for the use of bicyclists. Instead, sharrows encourage safe positioning, which results in better respect and an increase in separation between motor vehicles and bicyclists. They encourage bicyclists to ride outside the door zone, and on the road instead of the sidewalk - both of which increase the likelihood of crashing. The concept of sharrows in the US dates back to the 1993 Denver Bicycle Master Plan. In 2004, the city of San Francisco began experimenting with the design of shared lane markings which gave birth to the bicycle symbol with two chevron markings above the bicycle.

When the 2002 Newark Bicycle Plan was developed, use of sharrows was still very experimental. Thus recommendations focused on planning for an alternative route parallel to Main Street. The 2009 edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) approved the use of  shared lane markings for general use.

Also in 2009, City of Newark, WILMAPCO and DelDOT began development of a Newark Transportation Plan that was approved in 2011. Under the guidance of the Newark Bicycle Committee, sharrows on Main Street were identified as the top priority short-term improvement. In 2012, the City of Newark submitted a request to DelDOT for implementation of sharrows on Main Street. DelDOT responded that they would install sharrows as part of the next resurfacing project, but could not afford to do it sooner.

In 2013, sharrows were recommended in the draft 2013 Newark Bicycle Plan. Newark submitted a funding application to WILMAPCO and DelDOT for funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program, however due to prior project commitments, this request could not be funded through the federal program. In March 2013, Newark began the process of purchasing sharrows through City funds and will complete installation by May 14, in time for their official Bike to Work Day celebration.