More Pictures:http://imgur.com/a/nbqEk
Nice to see infrastructure designed with bikes in mind. But, concerned that there is no signage or other indication of what to do when leaving the bike path.
4 St SE Underpass
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
More Pictures:http://imgur.com/a/nbqEk
Nice to see infrastructure designed with bikes in mind. But, concerned that there is no signage or other indication of what to do when leaving the bike path.
Just went through there this morning
Submitted by shirose on
I was wondering if there was anything for bikes through that underpass. I come from the SouthEast and usually go west on 12th Avenue to 4 St E, and then turn left at 11th Ave to 3rd St, where I head to 10th Ave. I was just thinking this new road would make my trip in more dangerous, as there is only 1 short block to turn right from 12th and get into the left hand lane to turn left at 11th. Thanks for the picture - what direction is that facing? Are there bike markings only on one side of the underpass?
Facing north for the two bike
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
Facing north for the two bike path pictures. The third pic focused on the centre of the underpass is facing south from the same location.
Bike markings on both sidewalks. Saw on twitter that there are supposed to be sharrows on the right traffic lane as well, since it was designed with extra width for bikes. Though I would still take the lane in the underpass I think.
North
Submitted by fastlayne on
My guess is facing north.
I'd say the bike sign is there to keep bikes to the left. As for where to go, isn't there a bike lane along 9th Ave?
Yep, going east on 9th. But
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
Yep, going east on 9th. But only discovered this after I was off the sidewalk (because there is no sign). Though hopefully it just hasn't been installed yet.
Would also like to see a sign warning cars that bike will be merging from the sidewalk.
Directional arrows
Submitted by DarrenB on
Are there directional arrows on the sidewalk-level bike lanes to indicate that they are meant for one-way travel only? Sure hope so.
Wasn't looking for these, but
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
Wasn't looking for these, but fairly certain there are no arrows.
No arrows
Submitted by Richard Z on
The ony one-way sidewalk I know of is 10 St NW east side (uphill only). I think it's good that you can ride both ways -- it's wide enough to pass, and if you can't ride the west sidewalk northbound it's difficult to connect from the 10 Ave bike route.
The cul-de-sac at 10 Ave/4 St does not have a curb cut, but there is an alley driveway a few yards west, so jumping a curb is not necessary.
I rode by on this last night.
Submitted by metropetrolitan on
I rode by on this last night. One thing I didn't understand is why 10 Ave SE (which is a bike route) cul de sac does not have a connection point to 4 St SE (also a designated bike route). 10th Ave SE ends in a cul de sac and you have to jump over a curb to access the bike\pedestrian path.
Also, I had read from the cycling strategy report that 4 St SE is planned to be a bike route.
I also agree with what others have noted about signage that notifies motorist that a cyclist may be merging from the sidewalk. Also, bear in mind that the people that are exiting the Scotiabank Saddledome may be less cognizant of the risks than say the weekday commuter motorist who shares the road with cyclists on a daily basis.
Also less sober
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
^
Jeep-guy arrested
Submitted by metropetrolitan on
I read this article from Calgary Sun this evening:
http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/11/02/man-arrested-in-fatal-hit-and-run
They found the ass that killed the pedestrian downtown and drove away from the scene. Apparently went to a Flames game, and security kicked him out after for urinating in public. So looks like he was drunk driving. Blech!
Herald Article
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
From Tom Babin: http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2011/11/02/new-downtown-calgary-underpass-puts-cyclists-on-the-sidewalk/
I'm the guy he twitter-quoted
rode it - sorta - for first time today
Submitted by critninja on
I was finally able to check out the new underpass via 10 ave sw and have to say the connection going east from 10 ave sw to 4 st se heading north sucks. Basically you are taken from the roadway on 10 ave down a very tight ramp (will be interesting when people are present) onto the "bikelane" on the sidewalk. If you want to go north you need to ride "against traffic" in the sense that bicycles will probably be heading south here most often.
Essentially, the west sidewalk is now meant to accomodate pedestrians and two-way bike traffic?
Call me skeptical....but I think this wasn't thought out completely.
Call me cynical
Submitted by DarrenB on
...but I don't think the cycling part of this was thought out at all. Some demanded that cyclists be accommodated, so they stamped some bicycle icons on the sidewalk and that was it. I see no reasonable accommodation for cyclists here.
Although to be fair, perhaps I should ride it once before I am so negative...
also rode this today
Submitted by shirose on
I rode in on 9th Ave going west and needed to turn left to go south onto 4st and then onto 10th Ave. There is only one combined straight and turn lane at the 9Ave and 4St intersection, and since there was a car behind me, i felt compelled to go quickly. as a result, i missed the entrance to get onto the bike path and ended up going along the road through the underpass.
As i come from the southeast, and the bike route on 9th ave doesn't start until 6 st, this bike route is not very useful. And having to block traffic as i turn left is not very comfortable, even though i am through there around 6:45 in the morning. I am not sure how a bike is expected to get from westbound 9th Ave to the path on the west side of 4th Street safely. Not sure i will use it very often, as I would prefer to avoid underpasses altogether.