The intersection at Home Road and 32 Ave NW is one at which cyclists should take great care.
There is a yield sign for drivers traveling westbound on 32nd but they often blow through very quickly, ignoring that they are supposed to yield to cyclists continuing north on Home Road. One of the reasons is that Home Rd is blocked off for cars by a gate where the old welding place (?) used to be, so motorists assume everyone traveling north has to turn right on to 32nd. So cyclists traveling northbound up the hill on Home Road ought to be very careful when continuing straight to connect to the Bowmont pathway.
I have seen several close calls and one slightly injured cyclist and his more-injured bike, at this intersection. I have made comments to both 311 and Calgary Police, in hopes of getting a stop sign (rather than a yield) or some enforcement at this intersection. Of course, the more people that contact them the better...
Remove the yield sign?
Submitted by row_wood on
I agree that the impression that a cyclist is protected by the current yield sign is totally a false sense of security. Radical as it might sound on a cycling forum, I would suggest that an appropriate solution might be to remove the yield sign. Originally, it existed to enable laden trucks slogging up the hill from/to the gravel pit to make it over the summit of the hill without having to stop just prior to it. That pit is no longer in use so the original need for the sign has gone. I have driven that road many times over the years, and have never encountered a cyclist wanting to cross in front of me at that point. I have heard a couple of comments over the past year from drivers, annoyed that sign is still there, for they see it merely as a sharp curve in a road. Can you imagine the noise the city would hear if they put a stop sign there for no obvious reason? If the reason was explained, the cycling community would again become a target on that one...inconveniencing thousands of cars for a mere 8 bikes a day during the summer months. I would think that our political currency is better spent on items that benefit a larger number and broader range of users, such as the new cycle track on Crowchild by North Glenmore Park.
If an inexperienced cyclist goes up the hill, most likely coming up 52nd St, they are going to head up the pathway to the west of the roadway. An experienced cyclist is capable of handling crossing in front of traffic, if he/she knows that he is unprotected and on his own.
It's a thought....
Called on this too
Submitted by bclark on
I've called 3-1-1 on this, pointing out the hazard to cyclists crossing. This intersection is an important connection for cyclists travelling to and from the northwest so I think there should be some type of accommodation for cyclists. Most southbound cyclists access Home Road, as opposed to the pathway, because jumping onto Home Road at the intersection of 52nd Street is really challenging. Many northbound cyclists also go up Home Road and cross to the pathway. I have heard stories about motorists honking at northbound cyclists waiting to cross to the pathway at the top of Home Road.
My vote would be to do a redesign of the junction, similar to what has been done at 3rd Ave and 8th Street SW. Keep the yield sign but make it clear that it is a "yeild to cyclists" area. In the interim, the City could start with a "yield to cyclists sign". I agree, a stop sign may not be the best solution but it would increase cyclist safety.
Additional note, this junction is particulary tough in the later fall, when motorists are driving into a setting sun.
Green paint?
Submitted by Charbucks on
Instead of/in addition to a "yield to cyclists" sign, this seems like the perfect place for a distinct green painted pathway, Vancouver-style (http://bikecalgary.org/comment/28075).
I agree that a full stop would cause more complaints about the city "catering to cyclists", even though that seems like a ridiculous assertion by people who don't cycle anywhere...
Redesign
Submitted by barnecut on
Going up Home Rd. I usually turn onto the pathway to avoid the situation at 32 Ave. I'll offer a ridiculous suggestion for redesign. Someone can work on it. On downhill Home Rd have everyone yield to vehicles turning left onto 52 St.
Redesign again
Submitted by barnecut on
I was wondering if a bicycle box on Home Rd at 53 St would work. I don't think so. There likely isn't enogh room for one even though the last block of Home Rd upbound has no parking. Once the traffic was so heavy that I had to keep going up the hill.
Should cars and bicycles turning onto 32 Ave be using the right lane and bicycles going through be using the middle lane? Cars turning right should not be crossing bicycles going through.
Home Road and 32nd -
Submitted by billrennie on
I use this route often both as a cyclist and motorist. I think a stop sign for west bound traffic would be the best solution.
Overkill?
Submitted by DarrenB on
Now that there is no truck traffic coming out of the gravel yard southbound, I wonder if a stop sign to protect the occassional cyclist is overkill? Not sure myself.
I wonder if a sign stating "Yield to northbound cyclists" right below the yield sign would be sufficient. If that didn't work, then there would be ample reason to elevate the sign from a yield to a stop sign.
I think most people don't even realize there is a yield sign there because it doesn't seem like it is an intersection, just a bend in the road. Unless you have ridden a bike there, it probably doesn't even cross the minds of motorists that a northbound bike might cross their paths, in which case they are required to yield.
Bicycle Entering
Submitted by barnecut on
I don't know why some motorists are surprised to see a bicycle in front of them after going past a yield sign. I would think that in addition to yield sign there could be a bicycle enterring sign or just a bicycle sign. They do this for trucks, horses, etc. so it may be acceptable to the sign makers. I'll leave it to the sign designers to determine the location, but the yield sign on the right may be out of view and the yield sign in the middle of the road is too busy.
A yield to cyclists sign may not work as it implies only cyclists are proceeding north.When the gate is open other vehicles may proceed north.
Should I write 311?
311
Submitted by barnecut on
Her'e what I sent 311:
This is an urgent safety concern. Going westbound on 32 Avenue NW at Home Road one sees that there are two YIELD signs and one Keep Right sign. Motorists do not seem to be aware that they should be watching for northbound vehicles on Home Road. Bicyclists too often get the opportunity to stare into the eyes of surprised drivers that had just passed the yield signs. I would suggest that either a Bicycles Entering or simply a Bicycles sign be added to the existing signs.
It may be possible that the Yield sign on the centre divider is set back too far from the intersection. It's location should be reviewed.
It has been suggested that a Yield to Bicycles sign be put in place. When the gates are open vehicles other than bicycles could be proceeding north on Home Road. Such vehicles continue to need protection provided by the installed Yield signs.
311 Response
Submitted by barnecut on
The Service Request was closed with the following response:
Sept 21, 2012 JMMILLER - Reviewed location and spoke with Traffic Engineer about the signage at this location. It was determined the signings at this location are appropriate for the scenario and no changes are required. Two yield signs have been installed, which is more than the standard signage for the intersection. The signs are there and people are ignoring them. People must pay attention to the signs and adhere to the sign otherwise they get in trouble and it is their fault. This is a classic case of drivers getting too use to having no traffic driving across their way and driving through without paying attention to the regulatory signage.
I called back and explained that I didn't like their response that a motorist would be a fault if a cyclist was killed. I suggested that if it were trucks enterring that they would have not hesitation in placing a warning sign to avoid motorist getting injured. I talked them into sending the request to Transportation Planning. It was Traffic that handled the request the first time. Also they did not give me an opportunity to discuss the situation.
I would suggest that EVERYONE that has used this intersection contatct 3-1-1 by phone or better still by online form to complain about situation or make suggestions. Does anyone else have ideas as to how to handle this?
On the right track
Submitted by bclark on
I think you are on the right track. I'll warn you however, that it can take a significant amount of time and effort to actually get change.
From my perspective, pathway-roadway junctions are one area the City has, in the past, failed cyclists. They are almost always set up as if the pathway user is a pedestrian, i.e. they line up with sidewalks and other paths, but do not even consider a cyclists wanting to enter or exit the roadway as a vehicle (in terms of general alignment and signage).
I believe Transportation Solutions is aware that we require clarity both for our own safety and as a way to mitigate frustration of motorists and cyclists when the right-of-way is unclear. 3rd Ave / 8th Street SW is proof that the issue is getting addressed but it would be good to see it looked at on a city-wide basis.
If you speak to 3-1-1 or Road on it again, I would argue that, while part of the problem is driver's not paying attention, a larger part of the problem is the fact that the actual junction does not legitimize bicyclists entering/exiting the roadway as vehicles.
Good luck. Keep us posted!
That's my route!
Submitted by seacloud on
I regularly ride up Home Rd. on the road and navigate crossing the traffic-who-should-yield-but-don't. I don't think a Stop sign would help any more than a Yield sign. The users who blast through that sign without looking are those who travel that route often and 'know' that this is merely a bend in the road. New-to-this-intersection drivers will typically obey the sign. Increased enforcement at this spot would help, because those same habitual drivers would start to have a look as they approached this spot, if only to see if they might get busted this time.
My recommendation to other riders is to start checking for a gap in traffic behind you as you approach the top of the hill (I know, it's tough when you're breathing so hard that your eyes are crossed!). Take the lane (and I mean well out into the lane) as you approach the intersection and proceed as if you believe that traffic will yield, but with both hands on the brakes because you know the likelihood of a driver failing to notice you is high. Make eye-contact with the oncoming drivers before getting in front of anyone approaching that corner from your right. Being out in the middle of the uphill lane gives those drivers more time to see you and gives you room to move, because you shouldn't be getting right-hooked at that point.
Excellent advice
Submitted by Charlie on
Great points. I do pretty much the exact same thing.
I'm not sure what the solution is to make it safer - one option is to cross to the west side of Home Road to the pathway at the bottom of the hill, but that only works if there is a break in traffic, a hit-and-miss proposition at best.
Either way, it's a lousy choice. Stay safe!
I take that daily!
Submitted by Christopher T. on
Why not just cross the road to the pathway at 52nd? Sure, it isn't the preferred option, but it'll keep you out of the path of inattentive drivers. We know drivers don't take that yield seriously, so why push the issue? Just get off the road! I know, we're all vehicles and yadda yadda yadda. But if there is any give-and-take to cycling in this city, I think that intersection falls into the 'give' column. For safety's sake...
Coming downhill
Submitted by bclark on
Is also a problem...
Entering southbound off the pathway onto the roadway, one has to be very wary of vehicles that don't yeild. In fact, I generally yield to vehicles when I'm entering, regardless of the signage. Unfortunately, taking the pathway down to 52nd and entering the roadway there is probably even more dangerous due to right turning vehicles.
I've also crossed over at 52nd when going up-hill. Unfortunately I find my timing always coincides with an oncoming rush of northbound traffic and a usually steady stream of southbound traffic. As such, I don't find sitting in traffic waiting to make the left very comfortable. Likewise, the turn onto the path is at an ackward angle when doing this. If I do try and access the pathway at this point, I generally just ride over to the right curb, dismount and cross as a pedestrian to the pathway (making sure I'm in a low gear to start up the hill!).
Given the current infrastructure, I generally agree about approaching by taking the lane and cautiously moving into the intersection with both hands on near the brakes! I'd definitely add a warning that this will get worse as the sunset moves earlier into the afternoon (i.e. sun behind cyclists = cyclists invisible to westbound motorists).