Traffic delays up to 20% alongside downtown cycle lanes, city predicts

[browna]

12 ave almost done, with the cement barriers.
Today 5th St started up with the blockages. Going to be a gong show.

Used to have at least a dedicated late to turn left on 12th from 5th. No more. I park between 10th and 11th Ave between 4th and 5th, and head south after work. Turning south onto 5th St will almost be undoable. Could always turn into the near lane, now, have to avoid pedestrians, then bike lanes, then then wait for someone in the now longer line in the nearest lane. What a bottleneck. The lanes are always jammed going straight through 12th, and now you're adding about 10 cars, per light, that would've used the inside dedicated dual turn lane to go east, in the lone single turn lane, aforementionedly jammed with traffic backed up from 17th. And of course now just a single turn lane onto 12th, which itself is a lane down too.

This is a trial? Come winter (rather, late September) when 90% of the bikers go back to getting in the car, these full lanes on major ingress and egress routes, are staying?

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by browna

This is a trial? Come winter (rather, late September) when 90% of the bikers go back to getting in the car, these full lanes on major ingress and egress routes, are staying?

I think it is an all year thing. It reads like the whole point was to be punitive and force (some) people to stop driving.

From the original article:

"There were going to be no misconceptions about that" said Evan Woolley, councilor for the Beltline and downtown.

"Traffic jams happen in the city. Hopefully, we're going to take a whole bunch of cars off the road."

[stampsx2]

I posted this in the gear grinder thread but parking anywhere along 11, 12, 13th ave sucks now.

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by browna

12 ave almost done, with the cement barriers.
Today 5th St started up with the blockages. Going to be a gong show.

Used to have at least a dedicated late to turn left on 12th from 5th. No more. I park between 10th and 11th Ave between 4th and 5th, and head south after work. Turning south onto 5th St will almost be undoable. Could always turn into the near lane, now, have to avoid pedestrians, then bike lanes, then then wait for someone in the now longer line in the nearest lane. What a bottleneck. The lanes are always jammed going straight through 12th, and now you're adding about 10 cars, per light, that would've used the inside dedicated dual turn lane to go east, in the lone single turn lane, aforementionedly jammed with traffic backed up from 17th. And of course now just a single turn lane onto 12th, which itself is a lane down too.

This is a trial? Come winter (rather, late September) when 90% of the bikers go back to getting in the car, these full lanes on major ingress and egress routes, are staying?

I think when it's done on 5st one lane will be dedicated right turn then the dual lane. Possibly no parking on 5st at all?

[Table 5]

I really wish these lanes were there when I lived on 12th. Going east/west used to mean you had take a lot of side streets to get away from traffic...now it's almost like it's own little expressway (a Penetrator, if you will).

Again, remember these lanes were put in for inner-city residents to benefit from...you know the ones who actually live in the neighbourhood, not just the ones who work here and then get out at 6pm. Not everything has to be for commuters.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Again, remember these lanes were put in for inner-city residents to benefit from...you know the ones who actually live in the neighbourhood, not just the ones who work here and then get out at 6pm. Not everything has to be for commuters.

I feel like if that's the case, put them down less traffic-inundated roadways. Or ones where local businesses could benefit for the increased traffic. That's what I liked about (my suggestion of) putting the bike lane down 4th Street instead of Macleod Trail when this was first announced.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

The problem with these bike lanes is that 50% of the cyclists don't even use them! Why are they always riding along 1st street SW?

You have zero facts to support this. The debate can be done without making things up.

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

Why bother building dedicated bike lanes then if cyclists are just gonna end up using vehicle lanes? Can I drive my car on a bike lane because it's more convenient for me?

If you build dedicated bike lanes you can help filter the bike traffic to those routes. Many cyclists will want a safer route, so they will gravitate to the routes that will enable them to get to their destination quickly and safely. There will always be bikes that go on regular streets and roads, but they are allowed to do that as well. When I am biking I try and go on roads that have bike lanes, even if it takes me a few blocks out of my way. There are less cars on these routes, the speed limits are lower, and I feel safer.

To answer your question directly, no you cannot drive in a bike lane. It's a bike lane. Roads are not called car lanes or automobile lanes. Roads are to be shared by all parties that are allowed to be on them, including bikes.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I really wish these lanes were there when I lived on 12th. Going east/west used to mean you had take a lot of side streets to get away from traffic...now it's almost like it's own little expressway (a Penetrator, if you will).

Again, remember these lanes were put in for inner-city residents to benefit from...you know the ones who actually live in the neighbourhood, not just the ones who work here and then get out at 6pm. Not everything has to be for commuters.

Yah I live on 12th ave and now I have no parking for visitors.

Great benefit.

[Zarley]

There are still the same number of traffic lanes on 12th, they've just made them each 2 feet narrower (not sure why the lanes were so massive before). Once construction is done, there will be two through lanes on 12th (same as now) and 3 through lanes during the morning rush. I don't think this is going to have a major traffic impact.

EDIT: Here are the plans for 12 Avenue S, 8 Avenue SW, 9 Avenue SE, and 5 Street SW.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

I feel like if that's the case, put them down less traffic-inundated roadways. Or ones where local businesses could benefit for the increased traffic. That's what I liked about (my suggestion of) putting the bike lane down 4th Street instead of Macleod Trail when this was first announced.

I don't actually disagree. I think they make more sense on quieter roads... I think 10th ave might been a better idea than 12th. And biking on Macleod is not the most inviting place to ride with all that noise and smog.

But in general there is a large contingent on here that will hate them no matter where the city places the bike lanes. It's not my ideal route either, but Im glad they at least did it.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Isn't 10th ave already effectively a bike lane? Or do you mean 10th st?

[Addick]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

This seems counterproductive to me, basically sacrificing efficiency for 99% of the commuters downtown by appeasing to 1% of the commuters who will benefit.

At one time, vehicle trips were that 1%. You have to start somewhere and things often get worse before they get better.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

That's what I liked about (my suggestion of) putting the bike lane down 4th Street instead of Macleod Trail when this was first announced.

If I remember correctly, Calgary Transit has some of its busier routes on 4th and cycle lanes would have been an impediment to alighting. Due to strong transit use on 4th, I believe it is slated for a bus lane.

[Firebot]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I really wish these lanes were there when I lived on 12th. Going east/west used to mean you had take a lot of side streets to get away from traffic...now it's almost like it's own little expressway (a Penetrator, if you will).

Again, remember these lanes were put in for inner-city residents to benefit from...you know the ones who actually live in the neighbourhood, not just the ones who work here and then get out at 6pm. Not everything has to be for commuters.

I don't know. I live in the inner city, walk to work. I also could care less about the longer commute for people who for whatever reason chose a suburban lifestyle, and I laugh every time I see them stuck in traffic and their road rage for their life choice.

That said, the 5th St debacle is an embarrasment to the city. There is a 3-4 block traffic jam, in the morning right now because of the lane reductions and the bottleneck that is now the 12th Ave left turn. Yesterday, 5th st was not moving at all, with people honking like no tomorrow. This type of traffic jam blocks cars in the middle of intersections who are impatient, blocking other streets, while pedestrians are stuck weaving between cars and hope not to get hit by cars. It's a total gong show.

As an inner city resident, I also use these roads every so often. If I drive anytime close to rush hour, I also get hit by these changes. I could bike to work, but when my walk is less than 10 minutes, it's pointless for me. It benefits a very small number of people for 5 months of a year, nothing more.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Yah I live on 12th ave and now I have no parking for visitors.

Great benefit.

Again, it's a benefit for residents, not visitors.

The biggest issue with living in the Beltline is that it's actually too big to get around, and there's no real great transportation option for locals. If you live in the west end, walking to the a place like the Saddledome or Mission can take a good 45-60 minutes. And driving 10-15 blocks always felt kind of stupid.

It needs more alternate ways of getting around. In the end, I really wish we had a circle-route streetcar in the inner city, but adding bike lanes is a quick and cheap alternative as well. Al these condo towers means more and more residents are moving into these areas, and they need options in terms of getting around.

But yes, it's going to be a bigger pain in the dick to park. Which is why implementing more non-car solutions is better for everyone in the long-term. And I say that as a full-on car guy.

[Russic]

I count myself among those that would like to bike downtown but would never do it without a bike lane. My office is situated directly on 12th, and we've debated just getting an office bike to leave here for when we need to get further into the core.

[DownInFlames]

I live on 12th and support the bike lanes, but like I said in the GMG thread they didn't do a good job of the lane markings. There will be accidents because of the way they weave at 9th St and Macleod.

I might have to leave a little earlier in the morning if their are backups, but that's not a big deal. Overall I hope the new lanes get used. More bike = less vehicles hopefully.

[Coys1882]

If this forces people to stop driving - that's a good thing.

[Regular_John]

I work on 12th and 5th and I'm constantly dodging cyclist on the sidewalks. I'll reserve judgement on the loss of parking until the lanes are open we see what effect it has on my daily foot traffic.

If I'm still dodging inconsiderate cyclist next to the dang bike lanes I won't be too impressed.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

I work on 12th and 5th and I'm constantly dodging cyclist on the sidewalks. I'll reserve judgement on the loss of parking until the lanes are open we see what effect it has on my daily foot traffic.

If I'm still dodging inconsiderate cyclist next to the dang bike lanes I won't be too impressed.

Haha, indeed. Love the sidewalk cyclists that ring their bell at everyone. That's hardcore