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City bike program update
I’m still out of town, so here’s an update from the city of Austin Bike Program folks:
“Summertime means that public works crews are resurfacing and reconstructing streets.
Seal coats cure better during the summer. That means that your Bicycle Program staff is working like crazy to take advantage of all the new striping and getting bicycle facilities in where they can. Keep your eyes peeled for new bicycle facilities in your area over the coming months.
- Martin Luther King Boulevard: A climbing lane on Martin Luther King Boulevard headed eastbound from Lamar to Pearl Street. There is also an improved sidewalk for those of you who like to walk your bike up the hill.
- Lacrosse Avenue: Bicycle lanes on Lacrosse Avenue from Natick Lane to Escarpment Boulevard. A concerned citizen submitted this request, and since there was existing bicycle lanes on both sides of the gap, and the roadway was wide enough to simply add a 5-foot bicycle lane, this gap on Lacrosse Avenue was eliminated.
- William Cannon Drive: Bicycle lanes on William Cannon Drive from Interstate 35 to Pleasant Valley Road. This roadway is constructed of concrete.The Bicycle Program worked with the Signs and Markings Division to pay for a stripe removal vehicle to remove the existing stripes and add new ones that included bicycle lanes.
- Latta Drive: Bicycle lanes on Latta Drive from Convict Hill Road to Islander Drive and from Nairn Drive to Davis Lane.
- Mary Street: Dedicated bicycle lanes (without parking) on Mary Street from Congress Boulevard to the Union Pacific railroad tracks (near Lamar Boulevard). With the cooperation and feedback from the Bouldin Creek and Zilker Neighborhood Association, the Bicycle Program and the Transportation Department were able to work out a parking and bicycle facility solution that met the needs of all users of the roadway.
Besides facilities, the Bicycle Program is launching a new promotional campaign, including a public service announcement featuring Lance Armstrong. The next phase? Highlighting commuting by bicycle.
Research for innovative facilities is continuing. The Steck Avenue reconfiguration from Mopac to Burnet Road is under way. Stakeholders are invited to a meeting to discuss the reconfiguration at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Pillow Elementary School Cafeteria, 3025 Crosscreek Dr.
Additionally, the sharrow, colored bicycle lane, bicycle box and bicyclists “use full lane,” research by the Center for Transportation Research is going well. The research team is busy watching video of bicycle-motor vehicle interactions at the chosen locations before the devices are put into place. The Bicycle Program hopes to have these devices in place before school starts.”
Stay cool out there, and keep on riding.
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By elvis
August 6, 2009 10:05 AM | Link to this
the sharrow, colored bicycle lane, bicycle box and bicyclists “use full lane,” …”Bicycle Program hopes to have these devices in place before school starts.” That’s some great news!!! Those bike boxes work really well in my experience. It will be a huge improvement if they’re implemented here.