SLC Pedestrian/Bicycling Friendly (fit in, apartment, neighborhoods)

[PaperMaker]

Somewhere I read that SLC is a very pedestrian unfriendly city. I think I've also heard the city itself isn't very bike friendly either. I'm interviewing tomorrow for a job in SLC and have been researching places to live. I think we would settle near the U of U area including Sugarhouse, the Avenues, etc. Our dog takes lengthy daily walks and if there aren't sidewalks, etc. my husband and pooch will be miserable. My husband also rides his bicycle religiously for exercise and I've begun riding my bike to save on gasoline. I also read that bikes are allowed on TRAX. Is this possible during rush hour?! And how many bikes can fit on the bus bike rack?

We currently live in the Front Range of Colorado (Loveland) so my husband often rides through the Big T canyon towards Estes Park if any of you know the territory. TIA for your wise advice!

[cinnabon]

The neighborhoods you mentioned do have sidewalks for the most part, and many roads have bike lanes. For me, it is a lot more bike/walking friendly than I'm used to in NJ!

But I will say, as you head towards the U and foothills area, as you go east, say past 1100 E or so the grade climbs quite sharply uphill, so unless you are in great shape, you can't bike down to say Liberty Park area, and then make it back up the hills. This is also true of the upper Avenues area. This was a consideration for me in apartment hunting, as I'll like to be able to bike around the city to some extent... and I'm no super athlete.

[coolcats]

Originally Posted by PaperMaker

I also read that bikes are allowed on TRAX. Is this possible during rush hour?! And how many bikes can fit on the bus bike rack?

Trax has signs saying those with bikes must wait if there is not room on the train in the doorway. About two people can fit in a doorway with their bikes and still leave room for others to walk around.

I myself got a bike a couple months ago after not having one for few years. The roads where I live are not very bike friendly, but I am learning to find the residential streets that are not too busy.

I also would love to ride my bike to work. It's only 5 miles, but I have to go on the Bacchus highway, where the average speed is at least 65, so I don't dare. Plus the elevation difference is about 600 feet, so it is quite the trek up the hill.

[5280milehiguy]

I live downtown SLC, and at times walk the mile/half to work. However, I find it scarry to do so, as nobody will see you while pulling into traffic and over the sidewalk. It's as if pedestrians really don't matter. Walking down 4th south, cars will stop in the middle of the sidewalk then wait for traffic to clear, then you have to walk around the car (I like to walk to their front), or wait for them to pull out and dash across before the next car pulls onto the sidewalk. I am quite serious. Walk down 4th South any day, that will happen. Also, the TRAX have become more popular with biker riders, if there are two bikes in the doorways, people will simply take their bike into the aisle of the train. Also, I have heard of people being hit in the crosswalk while they had the ROW, from people turning right. Basically, a pedestrian in SLC is on their own. And unlike in many places, there are no signs saying to yield to peds in crosswalk.

[5280milehiguy]

P.S. Radio and TV ads are now being run about looking out for pedestrians on the streets. It is a major problem, drivers really don't seem to care, there are even crosswalks with bright orange flags, but at a lot of crosswalks, the flags are slowly but surely disappearing.

[Lmejh]

Where you plan to settle, the U of U area, Sugarhouse, the Avenues: they're much more pedestrian friendly. Once you get into Downtown, as SLCrising said, the situation gets a bit worse. Mind you, there are sidewalks everywhere, it's just drivers here aren't very observant. You have to watch out, but the rule of thumb that I've learned is cross only at traffic lights.