I ride 10th Ave S downtown, which is currently a marked on-road bike route, all the way from as far east as possible to 8th Street SW. The road was recently paved, and now, going westbound, there are "markings" of a narrower lane on the curbside with diamonds in the lane. I didn't see any markings on the eastbound lanes (but I usually ride that going home, when there are a lot of cars parked there). Does anyone know what is happening? Are they planning to have a designated bike route on the westbound side? I personally don't like riding in 2-way bike only traffic on one-side of the road, so I might try and look for another route.
What's happening on 10th Ave S downtown?
Submitted by shirose on
Pictures
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
Some pictures: http://imgur.com/a/QwsI4#0 (Trying to add to the post, not sure if it works.)
10 ave sw "upgrades"
Submitted by critninja on
Here is the info -
http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation/TP/Documents/cycling/Cycling-Route-...
i think that's actually worse than before...
Submitted by denimjeff on
way to go city of calgary!!
So there is a bike lane,
Submitted by Fuzz on
So there is a bike lane, westbound, from 3:30-6:00pm. That's it?
...and not at intersections
Submitted by mikewarren on
Where it becomes a "shared lane" (aka "turning lane", in my opinion).
It's probably not a totally terrible idea to have rush-hour only bike-lanes, but if I read this right, they're taking OUT the existing allways-bike-lane and making it just a westbound 2.5 hours/day bike lane. Not exactly a "bike route", but might help commuters...?
(I could see rush-hour-only lanes working well on roads that are only very busy during rush hour and pretty quiet at other times). Also, this is likely a compromise with the Calgary Parking Authority who is loathe to give up any inches of parking space. Maybe at some point someone in Roads will realize that you can't magically make road space for $0 and eliminating parking is going to have to happen *somewhere* to make bike routes downtown.
Westbound only
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
I wonder why it is only westbound.
I can foresee an issue with this lane. During the non-bike lane times, when there are cars intermittently parked in the lane, cars driving along 10th are going to see that bike stencil and then bikes should be in the sometimes-for-bikes lane.
hopefully there will be...
Submitted by coolegg on
Hopefully there will still be sharrows and other signage indicating that it is still shared use outside of the 3:30 to 6:00pm window.
Signs
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
Big sign at 10th Ave and 2nd St SW informing people about changes in parking along 10th.
Disappointed
Submitted by Estrogens on
Those changes are definitely going the wrong direction.
I am not sure what to make of the City Hall Bike Project anymore but I am certainly disappointed. This morning they were painting solid lines. Time will tell.
Well, the lanes aren't
Submitted by Richard Z on
Well, the lanes aren't painted yet! (OR are they? They weren't yesterday and I was told they'd do it on Tuesday.)
There will still be sharrows in the eastbound lane. Nothing changes on the south side.
The bie lane isn't in the door zone.
And drivers honking behind you because they want to turn on red? That happened before too. Stand your ground or move over to the left side of the lane to let them pass. At least now there will be lane markings.
They just painted the lanes
Submitted by Estrogens on
Just went for and errand and the paint was drying.
I am not sure what you meant by the bike line in't in the door zone. Allowing parking on the streets creates a DZ. Outside the rush hours, parking is allowed on 10th Ave and to me it is what I meant by that.
I do stand my ground at the red lights because I feel it is safer. However I wish sometimes the authorities would do something about that, especially on new bike routes.
But FYI there aren't sharrows on the south side yet.
I see what you mean. That's
Submitted by Richard Z on
I see what you mean. That's the problme with the sharrows on 10 Ave S: they're placed too far from the curb when there's no parking, and too close to the curb for when parking is allowed: they encourage cyclists to ride in the door zone. But the lane on the north side is next to the curb: so when thereare parked cars, it's underneath them; when there aren't any and the bike lane is in effect, there are no cars and no door zone.
The sharrows on the south side are still badly placed (or probably will be) but it's not clear where they should be instead. Maybe they should alternate? Half of them where cyclists should ride during morning rush hour, one set where they should ride at other times?
I think the bike lane on the north side is an improvement over the sharrows that were there before: cars now no longer allowed in the space reserved for bicycles, at least during rush hour. The widened curb lane markings and sharrows at the intersection should make it clea(er) to cars that they must merge into the turn lane and that they must yield to bicycles when doing so -- hopefully that''ll avoid right hooks.
No motor vehicles
Submitted by DarrenB on
The solid white line (when it appears), diamond marking and bicycle symbols do indicate that is a bike only lane. Cars are not allowed in it (during effective hours) except when they must merge into the lane to make a right turn (the solid line turns to a dashed line to indicate where this is allowed).
If you are in the lane and a motorist comes up behind you to turn right, they must wait. First come, first serve is the rule of the road. Sorry to hear that you encountered one that felt otherwise. I would just give them a bit 'palms-up arm raise' to say huh? Maybe they would figure it out. Not much else you can do except ignore them (or I suppose, report them as harassing you, which might be taken seriously by the Police Service).
Anyways, I see the bike lane as a gain for cyclists as it is something new that wasn't there before. Once motorists figure it out, hopefully it should be OK.
Did the sharrows get repainted on 10th Ave yet?
More details here
Submitted by DarrenB on
http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2011/10/27/floating-bike-lane-takes-place-of-shared-road-space-downtown/
The article says there will still be sharrows eastbound, but not westbound anymore. I am not sure where that leaves westbound cyclists between the hours of 6:00 pm and 3:30 pm (i.e. most of the day). Sad. I thought they were going to put sharrows on BOTH sides of the road, in addition to the floating bike lane. :(
Has the City just eliminated my morning bike route?
Submitted by cpknight on
My morning commute takes me westbound on 10 Ave SW in the mornings. Has the City just eliminated my route? I must say that I am very confused by a lane that is (apparently) open only 2.5 hrs/day.
10 Ave SW westbound is very busy in the mornings. I want to keep riding my bike to work, but I don't want to do it in the one remaining traffic lane if I am forced into it. I don't see the logic in this solution all, but perhaps I just don't understand.
Does anyone have any insight for me ... before I fire off a misinformed nastygram to the City? Much appreciated.
Thanks,
- Chris
PS. Perhaps it is time to have a "Downtown/Beltline" category in these forums?
10 th Ave
Submitted by 2wheeler on
I ride 10th eastbound in the morning and it's pretty much status quo. They just repaved and put the bike stencils back. It's my understanding that westbound is still a "share the road" style bikeway lane like 2nd street, except when there isn't parked cars (during rush hour).
Did they change the hours that parking is allowed on 10th Ave ?
part-time 10th Avenue
Submitted by mikewarren on
Yes, they changed westbound to be a bike lane from 3:30 to 6pm (with "shared" turn lanes at lights). It wasn't clear if the sharrows would stay westbound or not; sounds like not?
This was a project by a department that hasn't done "bike stuff" before. Try not to be too nasty, but indeed tell them that you'd like sharrows back (at least). And suggest they turn off parking during morning rush hour also. I think 311 (online or phone) is the best way to get your opinion "registered".
I don't personally use 10th during either rush hour -- is this overall a "win" or a "lose" for cycling?
New 10th Ave SW westbound rush hour bike lane
Submitted by drksn on
This stretch of westbound 10th Ave from 1st Street to 12th Street is a regular part of my commute home. As of yesterday the 3:30pm-6:00 pm bike lane is not a great success. The painting of solid lines marking the lane and the diamonds is complete but largely ignored by motorists. In each block I encountered dozens of motorists driving in the bike lane yesterday between 4:30 and 5:00. I got a few photos of license plates that I am offering to the CPS.
I have reported this to CPS and to the City and made a request to have a crack down on infractions, otherwise this will just continue. (Last week it was all parked cars (that was closer to 3:30) and the City told me to contact the Calgary Parking Authority directly). If you are a cyclist who uses this route I encourage you to report any problems you encounter to the City, the parking authority and to CPS. CPS has an email form for traffic gripes at http://www.calgarypolice.ca/sections-traffic-service-form.html
Cars
Submitted by 2wheeler on
You're right, the city needs to step up and enforce the bike lane rules, otherwise drivers will just ignore the new lane. Old habits die hard.
10th Ave - Cars
Submitted by drksn on
My experience this afternoon was much better than Monday. I actually saw only one car driving in the bike lane on westbound 10th Ave. A big improvement. Still, those of us who use that route need to be vigilant and tell the City if hte bike lane is not respected.
311
Submitted by mikewarren on
The City's main metric for "complaints" seems to be 311.
appalling & dangerous
Submitted by goforstars on
Even though it is an improvement, it still is pretty shocking if the number of cars going into a painted bike lane, were noticed. Despite pavement bike stencil?? Hmmmmm. What will it take --a hurt cyclist before drivers pay attention? It's a dangerous situation.
All more reason to have separated bike lane with a barrier in certain sections.
City Education?
Submitted by critninja on
I am surprised that the City has not produced some videos and/or animations showing how this new bike facility is suppose to work?
Or, why not have some city employees handing out flyers to cars stopped at the stoplights on 10th Ave S at the busy intersections like 11 st, 14 st, and 8 st?
Self important drivers in the right lane
Submitted by kingstrup on
Checked out 10th avenue west last night on the way home, after using 8th avenue west while the 10th avenue construction was finished. A complete sh** show. Do not know why the city wasted the paint on the road, as several drivers (the special ones) used the bike lane as a passing lane. Suggest anyone that heads west after work to use 10th avenue and take the lane you are entitled to (4:30pm Mass Ride). With enough usage maybe the "Special Drivers" using the right lane will get the idea and keep out of the way.
Special
Submitted by fastlayne on
The drivers have cousins that are "Special Cyclists" that ride on sidewalks and burn lights and 4-ways. Just sayin'.
Well, I didn't use 10th
Submitted by CL Polk on
Well, I didn't use 10th avenue before when it was a crappy road full of cracks, and I'm not going to use it now that it's a crappy road with door zone bike lanes. 11th and 12th ave will continue to be my travel streets.
Agree.
Submitted by snowandscience on
Never seen the point of 10 Ave as a bike route, when 11 and 12 are right there - faster, better timed lights, lower chance of getting doored. What's not to love?
Where do you ride?
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
Where do you ride on 11th and 12th? During rush hour there's no parking, so I guess you can take the entire side lane?
I don't travel during rush
Submitted by CL Polk on
I don't travel during rush hours usually, but on 11th/12th avenue I ride right down the middle of the right hand lane, and if there's a car in my lane then I travel 1.5 m to the left of it. this will sometimes put me in the lane to my left, but it's generally glaringly obvious that I'm avoiding a parked car. when I am on those streets during rush hour I just take the middle of the right hand lane. People go around like it's no big deal that I'm there - unlike trying to travel north south, where I am part of the Great Socialist Agenda to make life a living hell especially for the miserable chump behind me.
At the lights
Submitted by RTRT on
One of my biggest concerns is how the bike lanes just end at the lights. Basically we have no where to go. Yesterday cars were driving in the bike lane at rush hour so the could "get a better place in line" at the stop lights to turn right. It effectively means there is no bike lane. I definitely think during rush hour the westbound drawn on bike lane is better than it was with old sharrows. If only the city would enforce the bike lane!
Complain
Submitted by DarrenB on
As drksn states above, every time anyone spots a violation, we should report it to the Calgary Police Service (info above). Only when they get a significant number of complaints will the be likely to proactively enforce the new bike lane. Until then, it is easy to anticipate that motorists will behave like they did before. I understand the frustration and share your thoughts -- but to effect change and help ourselves, we must also be willing to take a minute and send our complaints into CPS.
The problem is that the
Submitted by Richard Z on
The problem is that the alternative is worse: if the bike lane goes all the way to the intersection, cars will turn right across the path of cyclists travelling trough from/in the bike lane. Recipe for desaster. I rode westbound on it twice today. At 4th and 8th St there was a bit of a holdup with cars turning right, and a few cars lined up at 5th waiting to bypass the left-turning cars, but otherwise it was pretty smooth + clear.
lane, bike-lane, turn-lane
Submitted by mikewarren on
The configuration should be through/left lane, then bike lane, then turn lane. I don't know if there's room on 10th Avenue for this, however. Dotted lines indicate to both cyclists and motorists that cars will be moving through the bike lane to get into the turn lane. This doesn't really help the "last-minute swerve to get around left-turning car" manoever which seems popular in Calgary, but would probably be better than "shared" turn lanes.
I also greatly prefer such a configuration at intersections like 5th Avenue (NW) and 14th Street, which would allow motorists "stuck" behind cyclists at the red light to still make their right turn. I do this often when there is no infrastructure (and at the intersection I just mentioned) and most drivers are very appreciative.
I am sure that the city used
Submitted by coldbike on
I am sure that the city used to hand out dozens of parking tickets per day to cars parked during rush hour. What type of imagination would think that a bike lane could possibly be free of parked cars.
Also, since it is Calgary driving law that cars going straight must swerve around left turning cars and pass on the right while keeping the accelerator pressed to the floor, right lane bike lanes are not sensible here.
The old worn out sharrows were just as ineffective and much safer than the new system.
Jersey barriers
Submitted by DarrenB on
I wonder if a very short stretch of concrete jersey barriers could be erected just before each intersection, including a sign to remind motorists turning right that they must yield to cyclists in the lane, or something. It might eliminate one or two parking spots, but would discourage motorists from driving down the bike lane on the right.
Just rode it
Submitted by Richard Z on
Just rode it, twice. For the most part, drivers seem to get it. There are a few trouble spots. Cars turning out of parking lots and garages (e.g., between 2 and 4 St, and between 4 and 5 St) seem to think they can turn into the bike lane. They probably need some info from the Calgary Parking Authority, or a sign at the exit thats says "do not turn into bike lane 3:30-6". The other trouble spot is intersections where cars are waiting to turn left in the travel lane -- cars will swerve around them through the shared lane, and I'm doubtful that most of them shoulder check. Especially at 5 St, where there's no right turn, cars will ine up in the bike/shared lane near the intersection to go straight. I saw only a few cars stopped in the bike lane, two in front of Community Natural Foods. Pretty sweet to zip past all those slow-moving cars. Overall, I'd call it a win.
Videos
Submitted by Richard Z on
Rode around on 10 Ave today. Videos uploading to
http://www.youtube.com/user/cyclepaloozaYYC
My tirade on the 10 Ave SW changes...
Submitted by cpknight on
As a result of recent changes made to the cycle routes on 10 Ave SW, there is now a problem in travelling westbound along that corridor: Where there were previously "sharrows" 24 hours per day for cyclists (meh.), there is now a dedicated bike route (great, awesome!) that is open only 2.5 hours per day (huh, what?!). My observation is that this change makes the route more dangerous for cyclists during busy traffic periods outside of the afternoon rush hours (3.30 to 6.00PM).
In effect, there is now no provision for westbound cyclists on 10th Ave SW in the mornings, or any time other than the evening rush hours. Outside of busy hours, this might be okay. But during the busy times, I see that a dangerous situation exists for cyclists, especially those who would not be categorized as "extreme" or "hardcore" riders. This is not encouraging more cyclists to use the route, and it is in fact discouraging existing cyclists (such as myself) from continuing to ride.
For example, when I am travelling westbound on 10th Ave SW in the morning, there is now an unavailable bike/parking lane, and an extremely busy vehicle traffic lane (with no sharrows) to ride along. The key segment of 10th Ave SW that I use in my morning commute – between 2nd Street SW and 4th Street SW – is extremely congested during the morning busy period, and it is now much more difficult to navigate by bicycle as a result of the change. The above image illustrates the issues vis à vis my morning and evening commutes.
The change on 10 Ave SW affects morning commuter populations from Mission and Victoria Park (and so on), who will generally use the 2nd St SW bike route in mornings to move northbound to 10 Ave SW. There, the majority of these cyclists make a left turn to move toward their appropriate crossings into downtown. From that point there are two viable, and questionably illegal, crossings into downtown for westbound commuters: 4th Street, 5th Street (the illegal one), and 8th Street. All are used, and all involve cyclists travelling westbound in the morning along a very busy stretch of 10 Ave SW. The effect of not having a dedicated bike lane, or extra space by way of sharrows, is that the morning westbound route on 10 Ave SW is no longer viable for all but the most extreme cyclists. The change in bike lanes does not promote cycling as a viable transportation option to downtown from the eastern portions of the inner city.
It seems that planning here is based on the premise that bicycle traffic along the entire length of 10th Ave SW is predominantly eastbound in the morning, and westbound in the evenings. That will certainly be true if cyclists from the eastern inner-city communities (Victoria, Mission, etc.) continue to be frustrated in their attempts to find a viable cycling route into downtown. But the premise is faulty, especially with the 2nd St SW cycle route feeding cyclists on to (and off of) 10 Ave SW. The significant population (and more importantly, potential population) of cyclists using 10th Ave SW for a morning westbound commute (and a corresponding evening eastbound commute) need to be accommodated. The current scheme ignores these populations (and unfortunately I fall into the populations in question).
The obvious, and immediate, fix is to open the westbound bike lanes during both the morning and the evening rush hours. When the eastbound bike lane is completed, it should also be open during both rush hours. It would be nice if the remaining traffic lanes (both eastbound and westbound) could be painted with sharrows for the periods when the cycle lanes are closed. And finally, because of the generally busy nature of the traffic coming/going from/to downtown off 10 Ave SW, bike boxes for all directions of travel ought to be added to all intersections.
[Note: This is an edited version of an email that I sent to the City of Calgary.]
Good Feedback
Submitted by bclark on
Thanks for sharing your experience with 10th Ave S, the comments you made will likely prove useful to those of us involved in ongoing discussions with the City on Centre City bike infrastructure, specifically as you pointed out the bias towards westbound afternoon travel. In general there appears to be broad recognition of the importance of the 10th Ave S route to cyclists based on the recent survey done on Bike Calgary. In some respects it seems the changes were improvements, i.e. dedicated space (at certain times) while, in other respects they were a step back, i.e. the loss of sharrows, the loss of the bike lane up to 14th St SW. Good that you wrote the City on this as well.
Similar
Submitted by ItsColdInHere on
I do a very similar commute. What time do you go to work? I actually commute to Amec Place as well, but from south of 17th. I'm usually going to work between 7 and 7:15 and I don't find 10th Ave. that bad. You can still take the right lane. Though I usually have to stay in the left lane to pass cars turning in to the parking garage across from the Whiskey.
One option I would suggest is to just go up 4th St. But only if you feel comfortable merging across for the left hand turn on 8th. Though from where you are you can just go into the left lane immediately as you turn on 4th, the cars aren't moving fast there anyway because of lights.
Personally, I find the stretch on 8th Ave much sketchier in the morning, since there are always parked cars to stay away from. Had a few close passes and yells from assholes along that stretch.
Forgot to add: I also go south on 5th St. and then turn left on 12th Ave until 4th or 2nd St. on my way home in the evenings. I really hate the eastbound stretch of 10th Ave. It is quite disappointing that an avenue that is supposed to be good for cyclists is one I'd rather avoid.
I agree
Submitted by cpknight on
I'm usually riding closer to 8AM and I find the city centre parkade is quite an obstacle around that time. A few cars are often parked and there is quite a queue waiting to get into the parkade stacked up in the bike (er... "parking" at that time) lane. I've actually just taken to walking for the most part lately. I didn't think it was possible (having routinely cursed 10 Ave SW in the past), but the route actually is worse (for me) now.
Though I've heard others say that the westbound bike/parking lane is generally clear in the mornings, that really should be beside the point - it should be designated as a bike lane at the times that people need to use it as such. We should't have to rely on the goodwill of drivers not to park at the curb in order to ride in our bike lanes...
I've had close calls on 8th Ave, as well. Mostly left-hand turns from the opposing direction, but I've had a fair share of drivers' doors and delivery truck run-ins. I've heard talk about having that route improved for bicycles, as well (though I fear that the changes made this past summer are the best they can do ... they painted a few sharrows, which is generally a non-improvement, but does look good on the annual stats, I suppose).
I actually think the overall solution is to have a robust 10 Avenue east/west route for bicycles (that is, one that is open more than 2.5 hours per day, and with all appropriate safety options such as proper separation and bike boxes, etc.) in combination with a more robust set of north-south routes in and out of downtown. The 4th Street SW crossing should be properly marked for bikes, as should the 5th Street SW crossing (which, in my opinion, should be open to bidirectional bike traffic, even if cars are only able to head south). I don't know what can be done about 8th Street SW (I see it as almost too dangerous to permit bikes, except in the existing traffic lanes), but I think the plan to punch a pedestrian/cyclist crossing in at 6th or 7th Street SW should be put through. A good east/west artery on the south side of the tracks combined with strong north-south bike routes traversing both the Beltline and Downtown would serve the area well, and would probably cause the least disruption to other traffic. [Additional east/west routes on 15th Ave and around 4th Ave could balance out the scheme and provide good access for almost all users].
I'm pretty confident riding in traffic, having spent many of my formative years living and riding in downtown Vancouver (in the days before cycling was promoted there). But having lived for a while in Europe (plus having spent much time there in general), however, I'm now philosophically opposed to having to integrate as a cyclist into motor-vehicle traffic patterns. My bike commute is short, and I don't think I should need to work up a sweat over a <2km trip to the office. I should be able to, in city dedicated to promoting cycling as an alternative to motor vehicles, get up in the morning, put on my suit, take a easy 15-min ride (at 10-15kph or so) into the office on bike routes that are safe, accessible and not scary. It's pretty common to see professionals in suits make it into work by way of bicycle in cities such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Strasbourg, etc. ... we should be able to do it here as well.
westbound in the AM
Submitted by DD on
I've found that there are almost always a number of vehicles parked in the westbound 'bike lane' in the morning, between 1 St SE and 1 St SW. And 10 Ave SW is a key connector from the 4 St SE underpass.
10th Ave and 14th Street: AGAIN
Submitted by kingstrup on
Gave this a couple of months to see if things would get moving. As the bike lane is still full of right turning cars during rush hour, I would have to say this design is not working at all. Time to delagate the lanes to Bikes or Cars, but not both. When it comes to sharing space on the roads, the two wheeled vehicles always loose.
K
yeah
Submitted by mikewarren on
I don't use it very often, but I was down there at rush hour last week and the bike lane was the turning lane and backed up east of Community.
10 Ave SW Bike Route Improvements?
Submitted by cpknight on
The city's capital works map dated April 26, 2012 shows improvements to both sides of 10 St SW, as well as something for the 4 St SW underpass. Anyone know what is planned?
I'm still rather annoyed at the crappy job the city did with the westbound 10 Ave SW floating bike route, so perhaps there is an opportunity for redemption?
Transportation Solutions
Submitted by hydec on
is still in the process of evaluating the PM peak westbound bike lane. They have collected data in the winter but have yet to complete data collection for the spring. Study should be completed by June and they will have a recommendation about peak direction bike lanes. They are studying the traffic light sequence along 10 Avenue and conducting field investigations to see if installing turn arrows would assist the operation of the peak bike lane.
I have sent a mesage about the Capital works map as well. Will post here when I get a reply.
No usable "designated bicycle only lane" Westbound on 10th
Submitted by ecofriendly on
I have contacted 311 on numerous occasions about the fact that cars are two abreast on 10th ave s.w. between 11th st and 14th street most days meaning the only place for cyclist to ride is splitting the two lanes of traffic. Big insult to cyclists is the fact that the curb lane is a designated bicycle only lane from 3:30 to 6pm. The city went to the trouble of putting up a big sign that no one heeds...for all the good that's done. I have yet to see any police there handing out tickets. They could make thousands of dollars each day by simply ticketing every vehicle that ignores the SOLID WHITE line as well as all the signage. It's been this way for over a year and I can't believe every single driver doesn't know the rules.
Has anyone else had the same daily frustration? I ride 12 months of the year on that route and thought the Westbound bike only lane would actually make by commute safer, not so.
Suggestions to get this resolved or to get the City to actually enforce traffic laws most welcome.