[MCN] 1C: Gaining bike lanes for 5th & 6th, comment now

[Bob Giordano]

There is a great opportunity right now to gain buffered bike lanes on S.
5th and S. 6th, from Higgins to Russell.

One of the travel lanes would be converted to a buffered bike lane, while
adding turn pocket at the signals.

This will help make cycling safer and more accessible.  It will also make
pedestrian crossings much safer, without the tragic double threat of
crossings two lanes of motor traffic in the same direction.

Improving walkability improves transit.

The motor vehicle flow is likely to improve, with much greater safety. 
Overall the street becomes more livable, sustainable and healthy for
people and all modes of transportation.

MIST has analyzed the streets, surveys and other documents and finds that
option 1C is the best.  This survey is open until 12/4:

City survey:
http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/formcenter/development-services-15/s-5th--6th-street-w-public-input-survey-200

This report looks at the roads and lists options for change:
City report: http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/documentcenter/view/37368

Some photo renderings and more data is on the mist website here:
http://strans.org/5th6thstreetcrosstownbikeway.html

Below, I'll paraphrase an email I sent to city council, to give even more
information about why option 1C is the best choice right now.  thanks.

-- 
Bob Giordano, Director
Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation
mist at strans.org, 406.830.7676



---------------------------
(council at ci.missoula.mt.us: this email goes to the whole city council)

Dear City Council,

I'd like to register strong support for option 1C regarding your upcoming
decision for S. 5th and S. 6th streets.

This seems to be the best way to increase overall traffic safety and
accessibility.

Gaining a buffered bike lane really helps people to bike more and to do it
safely.  There currently is no connected and safe east west bike lane
south of the river.  Bike lanes would help us meet the intent of 'complete
streets'.

The current bike lane on S. 5th is a dooring hazard.  At least 3 people
have been doored in the last 5 years.

1C would likely improve car flow (with good turn lanes at the signals) and
make parking better and easier for residents.

Speeds would likely come down on the street, which means less pollution
(in general) and less dust and noise.

The pedestrian 'double threat' (when crossing) would be removed, which
increases walkability, which thus increases access to transit.

This is a low cost project and really is near the heart of our town,
making improvements, and focusing inward, very important.

The motor traffic volumes are very 'low', making this conversion very
feasible.  With good turn lane design at the signals, we should see calm,
flow of all traffic, and a decrease in crashes.

A word of caution against a 'left side bike lane' (option 1B) for the
following reasons:

-Twice as many left turns are made at the signals during peak hours, when
compared to right turns.  This means the potential for twice as many
'conflicts'.

-A driver looking over their left shoulder seems to have a larger blind
spot when compared to looking over their right shoulder (to see a bike
rider in a conventional bike lane).  MIST did some tests on this recently.

-The transition of a right side bike lane to a left side bike lane at
Higgins/5th (and left side to right side transition at Higgins/6th) could
be extremely difficult to design safely.

-Portland planners do not see the left side need in this situation.  Yes,
they have done a left side bike lane in Portland, mainly due to an
interstate ramp on the right side that needed to be avoided.

-Finally, there exists a 'cultural embeddedness' of bikes to the right of
cars.  Visitors and snow would likely make a 'left side bike lane' more
dangerous than need be.

Converting these streets to two-way has merit.  Without removing parking,
however, there would not be room for bike lanes.  Also, the costs to
implement would be high and take a long time.

Safety and accessibility needs for many street users exist right now.

1C seems to be the best way to move forward.

Thank you for your work to improve Missoula streets and community.

Sincerely,

-- 
Bob Giordano, Director
Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation
mist at strans.org, 406.830.7676