Hummer Bummer in the Bike Lane
“I regularly almost get killed almost on a daily basis as cycling is my main way of getting around the city.” (Mayor Lisa Helps)
At this location (see photo below), the wear pattern on the road markings proves, beyond a doubt, that the majority of the motor vehicle traffic forces cyclists to the curb, in spite of the road being seven (7) lanes wide, including the bike lanes.
Additionally, this bike lane, along with many in the city of Victoria, is far too narrow to meet the standards for the narrowest bike lane width permitted. Considering the height of the curb, the seams in the road that run parallel to the direction of travel, and the sewer grate - this bike lane is likely half the required width for a safe bike lane. The issue is exacerbated due to this being a major downtown intersection, a typically dangerous scenario for cyclists.
Are 5 lanes not enough for motor vehicles to share without them having to encroach on the too narrow and limited space allocated for cyclists?
_____________________ ______________________
Years ago, when I worked on the Victoria Cycling Advisory Committee, I discovered that the City of Victoria, the purported Cycling Capital of Canada had been installing nearly all of our bike lanes well below accepted, established, and standardized engineering guideline’s minimum allowable widths. Victoria had one of the narrowest bike lane systems in all of North America. How can that qualify Victoria as the Cycling Capital of Canada?
After extensive but fruitless arguments failed, it took an expose’ article I had published in the local papers titled - The Cycling Liability of Victoria - before things changed. I outlined the legal and financial ramifications for taxpayers due to an inadequate and intentionally under-designed bicycle system before the city finally relented and started installing safer bike lanes. Money talked after compassion for cyclist safety failed; how on earth does that qualify Victoria as the Cycling Capital of Canada?
Hummer Bummer in the Bike Lane
“I regularly almost get killed almost on a daily basis as cycling is my main way of getting around the city.” (Mayor Lisa Helps)
At this location (see photo below), the wear pattern on the road markings proves, beyond a doubt, that the majority of the motor vehicle traffic forces cyclists to the curb, in spite of the road being seven (7) lanes wide, including the bike lanes.
Additionally, this bike lane, along with many in the city of Victoria, is far too narrow to meet the standards for the narrowest bike lane width permitted. Considering the height of the curb, the seams in the road that run parallel to the direction of travel, and the sewer grate - this bike lane is likely half the required width for a safe bike lane. The issue is exacerbated due to this being a major downtown intersection, a typically dangerous scenario for cyclists.
Are 5 lanes not enough for motor vehicles to share without them having to encroach on the too narrow and limited space allocated for cyclists?
_____________________ ______________________
Years ago, when I worked on the Victoria Cycling Advisory Committee, I discovered that the City of Victoria, the purported Cycling Capital of Canada had been installing nearly all of our bike lanes well below accepted, established, and standardized engineering guideline’s minimum allowable widths. Victoria had one of the narrowest bike lane systems in all of North America. How can that qualify Victoria as the Cycling Capital of Canada?
After extensive but fruitless arguments failed, it took an expose’ article I had published in the local papers titled - The Cycling Liability of Victoria - before things changed. I outlined the legal and financial ramifications for taxpayers due to an inadequate and intentionally under-designed bicycle system before the city finally relented and started installing safer bike lanes. Money talked after compassion for cyclist safety failed; how on earth does that qualify Victoria as the Cycling Capital of Canada?