Route 1 bike lanes?
The State Highway Administration’s (SHA) Route 1 reconstruction plan (post on it here) and the recently released draft study of our beloved roadway both call for striped bike lanes along the corridor. A five foot bike lane (each way) is being considered between the Beltway and Berwyn Rd. and a six foot lane is being considered between Berwyn Rd. and College Ave. Should the funding gods ever prioritize one segment (or all three segments) of the Route 1 reconstruction project, planners hope these bike lanes, in conjunction with reduced traffic speed (25 to 30 mph), consolidated driveways, and more mixed use projects, will bring more people out of their cars and onto bicycles. Given the huge bike culture in college towns like Davis, CA, Madison, WI, and Cambridge, MA it’s clearly hoped that Route 1 bike lanes will capitalize on the aptness of college students to ride bikes and create a more pedestrian friendly environment for College Park.
Obviously we encourage any movement towards pedestrian-friendliness in the city. That being said, we doubt strongly whether these bike lanes, like so many other bike lanes in the area, will be used to any considerable degree as they are currently proposed. Take for instance several “biker-friendly roadways” that are already in existence around campus. “Bike lanes” on these roads are nothing more than narrow, gravel-strewn, storm drain-ridden car shoulders which only the hardiest of bikers dare ride on. We aren’t willing to forfeit the potential for new bike lanes on Route 1 because we think (if done right) they could be a valueable addition to the area and could work well if connected well with the Paint Branch Trail (not far to the west) and the Trolley Trail (not far to the east).
SHA should consider further modifying their proposed bike lanes by adding color treatments (as picture above) rather than simply adding a narrow asphalt lane. Studies show that colored bike lanes increase awareness of bicycles, improve pedestrian safety, slow traffic, and avoid confusing lane convergences at intersections. Such bike lanes (colors vary across countries) have been used for years in the Netherlands (red), Denmark (blue), and France (green). From what we can gather, such lanes are technically not allowed (on any road!) in the U.S. by the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, but College Park could conceivably apply to the FHWA via the MD-SHA for “permission to experiment” with them as has been done in cities like Arlington, Denver, and Portland, OR among several others.
It seems that street seperated bike lanes like the one below (in Silver Spring) are not being considered at all for Route 1. Probably because the on-street bike lane can be used by emergency vehicles whereas off-street ones can’t.
Click here to view our interactive project map
June 5th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Where is Bill Kelly when you need him? He could go on for hours (and hours) about this hot button issue.
Bike Lanes on Route 1 are desperately needed. Most people would agree on that. I’ve seen many unknowing cyclist heading down RT1 because they don’t know about other options such as Rhode Island. (yes its narrow, gravel-strewn, storm drain-ridden but its all we GOT!) Most purely recreational and/or non cyclists feel that bike paths should only be twisty turny tree covered paths through parks. A bike commuter however, needs direct lanes on major routes.
An honest to God bike lane with color treatments is a great idea. I would like to see them go even further and have a physical curb or “strip” that would give the cyclist even more of a sense of buffer between them and the traffic. Of course it would have to be something that rescue vehicles could use in an emergency.
Basically you should feel safe enough in this bike lane to put your kid in a trailer and head up to Shoppers Food for some milk.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
For those interested in more and better bike friendly transportation options should check out http://www.eastcampus.umd.edu/Image/market/UMStudentHousing.pdf
specifically, pp. 13,22,83,84.
The report, completed in 2005, provides statistics on how students (living in on-campus, campus affiliated, off campus housing) get to campus and other destinations. Also, included in the report are the authors’ survey of student preferences for variety of housing characteristics, including the ability to walk or ride to class and other places.
Having lived in Chapel Hill, one of the most notable differences between Chapel Hill and College Park is how pedestrian friendly the former is. Unlike College Park, which has its state highway (Route 1) running through the middle of town, Chapel Hill’s state highway (15-501) has a bypass outside of downtown. Two other key difference are the high number and variety of bars and that liquor stores, which are controlled by the state, are located away from downtown.
Just something else to think about.
June 5th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
I would like to become a bike commuter but have thought about there being no room for bikes on RT 1. I live in the Cool Spring neighborhood on the other side of the UMD Golf Course. I work in Beltsville off of RT 1. But have had to consider other alternatives because of my fear of death.
June 5th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Here is a recent short article about what bike friendly looks like. Not to be found anywhee in the United States.
http://crosscut.com/transportation/3741/
June 6th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Jeuill,
Don’t let a little thing like your own death stop you.
Tool on up to the Paint Branch Golf Course trail then hang a left Cherry Hill RD and a right on Sellman. Bingo bango you are in Beltsville. Not the most direct route but safer than Rt 1.
I agree with your sentiment though. It should be that hard.
June 6th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Correction. It should NOT be that hard.
Where is my coffee?
June 6th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Like Clay, I also use the PB trail to head to Shoppers. It isn’t direct, but it is wooded for much of it and much more pleasent experience than walking on Route 1.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
A bike bath connecting College Park Woods and the Courtyards to the Paint Branch Trail is needed! The path would also connect the Buck Lodge community via Buck Lodge Park. This should have been done years ago.
June 8th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
German bike advocates such as the AFDC oppose separate bike lanes because supposedly they result in substantially higher casualties among bikers. Apparently, bicyclers are more likely to get hit by cars pulling in and out of driveways and cross-streets.
According to the AFDC representatives, it is safer to ride on the street than on a separate bike paths. But that’s in Germany.
I have to emphasize that I am merely relating the presentations of the bicycling advaocates. I have not read the studies myself. You might want to get into touch with the AFDC yourself.
I do know from personal experience, however, separate bike lanes are rarely cleaned well enough of leaves and garbage to safely ride a bike.
June 8th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
I guess when I think of separated bike lanes I think of a short trip to central Amsterdam. Of course there aren’t really any cars to collide with there…. I do think a colored lane at least lets drivers know that they don’t belong in it.
June 8th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
I agree. The colored paths add a lot of security.
My apologies, I got the abbreviation wrong. It’s ADFC. Here is their website, regretably in German: http://www.adfc.de/
They do post interesting policy issues regarding bycycling for transportation and touring. Of course, the Netherlands have the best policies for bicycles riders.
By the way, here is a pretty fun post about a bike rental in Vienna:
http://www.headlife.net/2007/03/09/on-yer-bike/
September 7th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Anyway we could get these bike lanes on campus? Then set up some type of infrastructure for the university and college park?
May 15th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
As a bicyclist in the community of College park I am a strong advocate for bike lanes on Route 1. The idea will reduce traffic and provide a safe place for bicyclists to ride. There are many bicyclists in the city of College Park that are at risk of being involved in bicycle vehicle or bicycle pedestrian. By adding these bicycle lanes we are doing the members of the community a favor and we are reducing the risk of having a bicycle casualty.
Often, walking pedestrians can get in the way of a bicyclist, creating a dangerous situation. The bicycle lanes will allow bicyclist to ride freely without the worry of hitting someone. The idea of red bicycle lanes is great. The distinct color will help motorist realize what the lane is for incase they miss the sign. Once again it helps the safety of the bicyclist.
We should not only add bicycle lanes to the route 1 but also the campus and other major road ways traveled by bicyclists in the city of College Park. Many students travel to and from class with a bicycle while many others choose to walk. The sidewalks get very crowded during hours of classes and the bicyclists have trouble getting to and from class efficiently. This can also prove to be a safety issue. During this semester at the University of Maryland I have seen walking pedestrians hit by bicyclist. I have also seen a bicyclist hit by a car and I myself have almost been hit by car. These are the casualties that can be prevented on campus by adding bicycle lanes.
I had the opportunity to interview a few students and members of the College Park community about the bicycle lanes. Both the bicyclists and non-bicyclists felt that the bicycle lanes were a great idea. They felt the lanes would benefit everyone in the community not just the bicyclists. Students were strong advocates about these lanes but had no idea about the proposed idea. College Park must do a better job of promoting and advertising the idea of bicycle lanes to the community to help gain more support. The members of the College Park community felt that safety was very important and that bicycle lanes would provide the safety needed for bicyclists. When talking to a police officer he stated that there are quite a few bicycle casualties every year because motorists and bicyclists are not careful and aware of their surroundings. The bicycle lanes would help separate motorists, walking pedestrians and bicyclists.
The police officer also stated that the casualties are not the only problem with bicycles. Bicycle theft is a common problem in College Park. The police department receives numerous amounts of filed reports on bicycle theft every year. Bicycles are stolen because they are not locked up properly. As members of the community we must do our part in locking up our bicycle’s in order to prevent further controversy.
While bicycle casualties aren’t the biggest problem in College Park (compared to crime and housing), bicycle lanes would definitely help out the community considerably. The bicycle lanes will reduce the amount of motorist which in return will reduce traffic and help out the environment. The cost for the construction of the bicycle lanes can easily be covered by the community. The lanes will be well worth the price.