Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/12/1995

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I I I I i I I I ! I I ! Feb. 8. This techniqu~ also has another application. If intersection proves ~too difficult to route a bikeway through it, a sign could be posted at end of stripe point directing bicyclist to w~lk bike to next bike lane. In such cases, it would be desirable if a sidewalk facility was avail. able to make this connedtJon. G. ON.ROAD BIKEWAy TREATMENTS THROUGH INTERSECTION ~EATURES BIKEWAYS -33. Bicyclists should be encouraged to make left turns by the two-step method if a double left turn lane is present. 5. Two-Way Continuous Left Turn Lane Bicyclists should be encouraged to make left turn by the two-step method. 6. Bypass Lane at "T" and Four-Way Intersections 1. Right Turn Lanes Minnesota Stat~ law requires the bicyclist to keep as close as practicable t~ the right-hand curb on edge of the roadway. Therefore. tha bicyclist should be on the right edge of the right turn la~,e. Th/s is not a desirable position. especially if the bicyclis~ is intending to go straight ahead, however, it is the safeit location. To accommodate the bicyclist in the right nard lane, two methods are suggested: - For low volume Irigh,~ turn lanes Replace standag, d RIGHT TURN LANE" sign (RS-X1) with "BEGIN I~IGHT TURN LANE YIELD TO BIKES (R4-4). See Fig. D, - For high volumelright nam lane Channel the bi~ lane onto the sidewalk or off road path and encoura~ bicyclists to behave as pedes- trians at the intersection~ See Fig. E. Placement of a stop sign for the cyclist at the crossing may cause confusion for the motorist and should generally not be used except for high traffic volumes i!both turning motorists and bi- cycles). Bicyclists in an !intersection cross-walk are con. sidered the same as a pedeltrian. 2. Channel/zed Free Turning Lanes Channelized "Frl~e" turning lanes pose problems similar to the right turnin~ lanes. Recommended treatment at free turning lanes is indicated on Figure F. This involves the broken stripe treatment to encourage bicyclist weaving to the proper position r~lative to turning traffic, and a marked right-angle crossin~ to encourage bicyclists to make a pedestrian-hke crossing ill they are unable or unwilling to execute the weaving ~aneuver. For high speed turning lanes, the technique ind,,c, ated on Figures G and H are recommended. The use of a bypass lane encourages vehicles to move around left turning vehicles. They present a problem to the bicyclist using the shoulder of the roadway, because usually the bypas~ lane uses what there is of the shoulder. When a bikeway is added to roadw, ay where bypasses are in use, it is strongly recommended that at- least a four foot shoulder be added to the bypass lane. This additional width should also be striped to discourage veh/cle encroachment/nto it. H. OFF.ROAD BIKEWAYS AT INTERSECTIONS AND INDEPENDENT BIKEWAY CROSSING Off. road bikeways normally carry two.way traffic. At intersections bicyclists face many of the same con- flicts as they would if they were in a bike lane on the road- way. The problems asscciated with the bikeways relate largely to motorist expectation of entries to the crosswalk area as pedestrian rather than typical bicycle travel speeds. Also, two.way bikeways require one direction of crossing to be done contrary to normal vehicle operation. Safety with this type of crossing is dependent upon the bicyclist adopting a more pedestrian-like yielding posture to motor vehicles. 1. Treatment of Off-road Bikeways Bikeways which run parallel to the roadway should be brought into the intersection to function like a crosswalk. (See Fig. I). The reason for this is to take ad- vantage of the intersection traffic control and to avoid having the bicyclist passing between stopped vehicles waiting for signals to change. At low volume cross streets, it is acceptable to continue the parallel d/stance; however, the crossing should be identified and bicychst must be required to stop or yield before entering the roadway. I I I I 3. Right Turn on Red Where "right turn on red" is permitted, the focus of right turning motorists ~oward cross traffic approaching from the left is intensifie~. The straight through bicyclist required to stop for the ~ed light may find that vehicles turning right on red infrin~qe into their storage area. Signs and mark/ngs along the bi~e lane can help to remind the drivers of the bicyclist pre,ncc. 4. Double Left Turn ..~anes 2. Treatment of Off-road Bikeway at Independent Crossings There is some evidence of high acddent experi- ence in isolated intersections of independent facilities with motor vehicle roadways. This appears to stem from four factors: - Failure to establish proper sight clearance zones. - Poor perception of or reaction to crossing signs and markings.