Third Street Bike Lane Project (Phoenix, Mesa: how much, home, neighborhood)

[John124578]

I've commuted on Virginia crossing 3rd St for five years now. I rarely if ever see enough vehicular traffic to justify four vehicular travel lanes. Further, to say you don't see many bikes on 3rd Street is a bit unfair as it's not conducive to bikes right now (unless you're into cars wooshing inches past you at 45mph+). It's like saying you don't see many cars crossing a river where no bridge exist. Without the right infrastructure, you won't see a lot of a given means of transportation. As a resident of the immediate area, I think there are ample north/south options for cars (19th Ave, 7th Ave, Central, 7th St, 16th St, and two freeways). Accommodating a growing means of transportation which does not emit toxic pollution or greenhouse gases in my backyard is the right thing to do. It's about time.

[grmi66]

Hmmm...Interesting that this post churned out a bunch of first time posters. If you read my post I said that if the city of Phoenix got rid of the suicide lanes, most people would be much more amenable to reducing the lanes on Third Street. You sound like you live in my neighborhood John, I'm going to fire up my SUV and run down to Sunshine Market now.

[brphx]

Originally Posted by grmi66

Boy, you just made your point. I'm going to listen to some third world socialist, because everyone knows that Bogota is heaven on earth.

It's fair to say that you're not familiar with the transformation of Bogota. Understandable. Thank goodness the change-makers didn't listen to the naysayers because things like bike lanes and BRT (bus rapid transit) had a huge impact! And the result is sort of heavenly, you might say.


"All of these changes have made a huge difference in the quality of life in the city. Transmilenio now transports over 1.9 million passengers per day, (Mexico City’s MetroBus carries 800,000 per day, and São Paolo, Brazil’s, BRT 60,000). Traffic fatalities are down. The CO2e emissions have been reduced by over 60,000 tons per year. And that two-hour-plus trip to go 18 miles now takes 55 minutes. According to Peñalosa, “The way we create cities will really determine how people will live and how happy they will be.” In fact, a study of the Transmilenio showed a correlated 85 percent decrease in crime, and an increase in land values and employment."

In Bogotá, Creating Social Equality through Sustainable Transportation

And just in case you're wondering (I'm going to assume that you're not, but others might be), here's a list of some of the accomplishments of Enrique Penalosa - who was recently re-elected to office:

Creating a successful Urban Land Reform institution.

Launching a new bus-based transit system, TransMilenio.

Spearheading large improvements to the city center, including the rejuvenation of plazas, the creation of a large park in an area previously overrun by crime and drugs, and the transformation of one of the main deteriorating downtown avenues into a dynamic pedestrian pubic space.

Building more than a hundred nurseries for children under 5, along with assured resources for their operation.

Increasing children enrollment in public schools by more than 200,000, a 34% increase in four years

Building over 50 new schools and organizing major improvements to more than 150 school buildings.

Installing a network of 14,000 computers in all public schools, with web access and connection to a newly built library network.

Building and reconstructing hundreds of kilometers of sidewalks, more than 300 kilometers of bicycle paths, pedestrian streets, and greenways; and more than 1,200 parks.

[grmi66]

Sounds like you need to move to Bogota then. New streets and parks aside, it's still a third world country.

In keeping with the theme of this discussion I travel Third Street almost every day. Get rid of the suicide lanes on the 7's, reduce the width of the middle turn lane I could see squeezing in a bike lane.

[brphx]

Originally Posted by grmi66

In keeping with the theme of this discussion I travel Third Street almost every day. Get rid of the suicide lanes on the 7's, reduce the width of the middle turn lane I could see squeezing in a bike lane.

"Squeezing in" a bike lane on a multi-lane arterial street where cars are going 45-55 MPH is not a safe or smart option. But I do agree with you on the suicide lanes. They need to go! Regardless, bike lanes are coming to 3rd Street. It's just a matter of choosing a design. Central Phoenix is where people want to live so that they don't have to rely on a car, and past public input supporting bike lanes, transit and more walkability will be resulting in safer, complete streets for everyone with bike lanes and pedestrian improvements.

Since you said that you change neighborhoods and cities so easily based on the infrastructure that you want, I respectfully suggest that you move from an urban environment to a more suburban area without bike lanes that might better accommodate your car.

[dukedave]

Originally Posted by grmi66

Get rid of the suicide lanes on the 7's, reduce the width of the middle turn lane I could see squeezing in a bike lane.

Does anyone actually like the suicide lanes, in hindsight?
I'm sure they seemed like a good idea at some point, but they seem to be almost universally disliked

Anyway, it's interesting to hear you suggest lanes on 7th, I think a lot of people who ride have always assumed then to be a 'lost cause'.

[grmi66]

Despite claims that it's not busy, had to drive down Third Street on the way home last night. At least during rush hour it took a few cycles of the light to move south at Thomas. I can only imagine how much longer it will take once you take out the second lane. Plus it will only serve to increase my carbon footprint as my SUV sits at the light idling. Bet it's very healthy to bike commute while inhaling rush hour fumes.

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by grmi66

Despite claims that it's not busy, had to drive down Third Street on the way home last night. At least during rush hour it took a few cycles of the light to move south at Thomas. I can only imagine how much longer it will take once you take out the second lane. Plus it will only serve to increase my carbon footprint as my SUV sits at the light idling. Bet it's very healthy to bike commute while inhaling rush hour fumes.

At this point you sound like you are just whining.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by grmi66

...may pan out decades in the future, but by then Phoenix will be long past my rear view mirror.

I don't think I could possibly take any opinion seriously from someone who only cares about their short-lived existence in a place.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by observer53

Tempe did it on a long stretch of McClintock Drive. I've seen about two bikes in them since then, and one of them rode in it for a while and then got back on the sidewalk. Taking out a lane of traffic for that? Traffic on that stretch during peak hours is a mess now. No, Third Street shouldn't have it either.

Those bike lanes have been a life saver for me, I've ridden my bike down McClintock plenty of times and I can assure you that your count of bike traffic is drastically flawed. Also, encouraging future growth of commuting by bicycle is never going to happen without making these types of improvements. So take Price Road then, I can confirm no cyclist wants to travel that road with absolutely zero space to fit in.