More

 

From: Damien Davis [mailto:ddavis@cityofmorgantown.org]
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 10:57 AM
To: Bill Austin; Frank Gmeindl; Terry Hough
Subject: RE: Morgantown Bicycle Lane

 

Bill,

 

The signs proposed by Mr. Hudson are meant as directional guides for cyclists to get to a specific location. They are used to show cyclists that the signed route is the preferred route over other routes. These signs could be used in conjunction with what we are proposing to guide cyclists to the rail-trail but the proposed sign do nothing to warn motorist or make cyclists more visible to the motoring public by themselves. The climbing lane provides cyclists a visibly safe area to maneuver while climbing Mon Blvd, while our proposed “Share the Road” signs bring to motorist attention that cyclists are permitted to use the roadway.

 

I agree with you that cyclists should not be expected to match the speed of the motorist, just not impede the flow of traffic. This should not be an issue on Mon Blvd as it is two lanes at the top. This provides for the safe passing of a slower cyclist. Although Mr. Hudson is correct, traffic does frequently exceed the speed limit, the increased use and visibility of cyclists on Mon Blvd could help to reduce that speed.

 

J. Damien Davis, EIT, CFM, Assistant City Engineer

City of Morgantown

Public Works Department - Engineering Division

389 Spruce Street

Morgantown, WV 26505

Office: 304.284.7398

Fax: 304.284.7409

www.morgantown.com


From: Bill Austin [mailto:baustin@moncpc.org]
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 9:15 AM
To: 'Frank Gmeindl'; Damien Davis; Terry Hough
Subject: FW: Morgantown Bicycle Lane
Importance: High

 

Frank, Damien, Terry,

 

Please see the correspondence below. I do not believe the proposed signage is adequate or acceptable for addressing the concern expressed by the Bicycle Board. Previous correspondence I have seen says that the shoulder on the down hill side of Mon Boulevard is the same width as on the uphill side. I do not believe that this true.  I don’t believe it  is either the same width or of the same pavement quality as the shoulder on the uphill side. Can anyone confirm this for me?

 

The comment below that cyclists on the down slope cannot keep up with traffic is simply a mis-expectation on the writers part. Cyclists should not be expected to match speeds even on flat sections they should be expected to not impede the flow of traffic. These are not the same things. We need to address this misconception quickly. I am not sure how Jim Hudson fits into the picture, I will look into it.

 

Please let me know your thoughts. I would like to respond to this comment ASAP.  

 

Thanks,

 

Bill  

 

From: Hudson, Jim E [mailto:Jim.E.Hudson@wv.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 8:54 AM
To: Robinson, Bill C
Cc: Keller, Perry J; Warner, Richard L; Lewis, Ray C; Shoukry, Fouad N; Bill Austin
Subject: Morgantown Bicycle Lane

 

Bill

After much thought on the Morgantown Bike Lane issue I think our signage should remain consistent with our signage on other limited access highways.  Therefore I propose we limit our signage and roadway markings to those found along Route 50, Route 33, and the East Beckley By-Pass among other places.  These signs should be placed on both sides of Monongahela Boulevard and other locations where high-speed and/or high-density traffic and adequate shoulders indicate it is necessary.

While I understand the desire for a “climbing” lane for bicycles, I do not accept the idea that average bicyclists (Class B) can safely maintain the speed of 45 to 50 mph required to keep up with traffic on the downhill side of the road.  Bicyclists who want to ride on the road where the signs I propose have been posted are in the same category as those semi drivers who want to drive in the left lane where signage prohibiting trucks in the left lane have been installed.

A photograph of the signage used in these locations is attached to this email.

Picture (Device Independent Bitmap)

Jim Hudson

Community Development Specialist

Building 5, Room 863

1900 Kanawha Blvd. E.

Charleston, WV 25305-0430

(304) 558-9613

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.725 / Virus Database: 270.14.123/2595 - Release Date: 01/05/10 02:35:00