SUGGESTED ON-STREET COMMUTER BIKE
Transcription
SUGGESTED ON-STREET COMMUTER BIKE
SUGGESTED ON-STREET COMMUTER BIKE ROUTES Prepared by: Commuter Cyclist Volunteers January 2006 Page 0 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Page 1 ROUTE SELECTION CRITERIA Page 1 PRIORITY ROUTES Page 3 BEYOND ROUTE SELECTION Page 3 DOWNTOWN ROUTES Page 4 NORTH ROUTES Page 5 NORTHWEST ROUTES Page 7 WEST ROUTES Page 10 SOUTHWEST ROUTES Page 11 SOUTHEAST ROUTES Page 14 EAST ROUTES Page 17 NORTHEAST ROUTES Page 20 OTHER SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS Page 21 COMMUTER GROUP VOLUNTEERS Page 24 Page 1 INTRODUCTION The information that follows was contributed by a group of about 20 experienced commuter cyclists based upon their own experience and preferential routes. This review of on-street commuter cycling routes was made to encourage upgrading of City streets to a more “Bike Friendly” environment. This exercise was also intended to provide initial input into the overall improvements needed to increase bike use as a means of transportation and reduce pedestrian/cyclist conflicts on the existing multi-use pathway system. The intention was to identify several priority routes that could be upgraded and used as “Examples” for all future prime onstreet bike routes. The following criteria were used in route selection and, in the opinion of the group, should be used to determine additional commuter routes in the future. ROUTE CRITERIA 1. Free flowing and direct with good links to secondary routes 2. Potential for utilization (high, Medium, low) 3. Bike friendly route (street) – lower speed limits, wide curb lane, snow clearing, etc. 4. Cost to retrofit 5. High visibility for both cyclist and motorist (no sight line obstructions, obvious cosharing, etc.) 6. Politically expedient (currently designated bike route, community acceptance, etc.) GENERAL The following prime commuter cycling corridors are the suggested routes that could be considered for upgrade using the various “treatments” such as those identified below: x Reversing stop signs to allow cyclists free flow. x Traffic calming devices (such as bulb-outs, speed tables, sinusoidal –speed humps, roundabouts) to slow vehicles where possible. x Educational signage (Share the Road, Watch for Bikes, etc.). x Bike detection for green light trigger (video detection, infrared, bicycle sensitive pick-up loops or curbside traffic control buttons. Note: curbside buttons are not suitable for left turn advance green phase). x Retrofit existing ped. flashing warning lights with ped/cyclist video recognition, infrared detection or pick-up loops along with push button activators. x Bike friendly sewer grates and rail crossings (compressible rubber flange fillers). x Specific route identification signage (EG “ROUTE D1” or “University Bike Route”). x Bike symbol marking with arrows. x Bike lane marking at “pinch points”, vehicle entrance and exit lanes and route left turn intersections. x Bike traffic warning signage at uncontrolled vehicle crossings (parking lot exits). Page 2 PRIORITY COMMUTER BIKE ROUTES There are several prime commuter bike routes outlined in this report (and numerous others that need to be identified). The following were considered the best candidates for immediate upgrading. ROUTE PRIORITY ROUTE NUMBER 1 D1 2 DESCRIPTION APPROX. LENGTH REFERENCE PAGE Eau Claire Promenade Bypass 3 Km 4 E1 8 Avenue South East 2 Km 17-19 3 E2 16 Avenue South East 5 Km 17-19 4 N1 2 Street North West 15 Km 6 5 S1 5 Street South West 15 Km 13 6 D2 10 Avenue South 5 Km 4 7 W1 26 Avenue South west 8 Km 10 BEYOND BIKE ROUTE SELECTION While the initial task set out for this group was to recommend suitable commuter bike routes it became apparent that there is a need to take a more active long-term role in making Calgary a more “Bike Friendly City”. Specifically it was suggested that the following related areas need advocacy and direction: x x x x Continued input for, and monitoring of, on-street bike routes; Training and education; Communication and promotion; and Funding and political support It was concluded that future meetings should be held to discuss how this might be accomplished. Page 3 DOWNTOWN ROUTE MAP N1 ROUTE D1 ROUTE D3 E1 ROUTE D2 S1 DOWNTOWN ROUTE NO. ROUTE DESCRIPTION D1 Eau Claire Promenade Bypass From 8th Street SW to 2 St. SW connecting to Riverfront Avenue, 4 Street and 9 Ave to Fort Calgary. 3 Km 10th Avenue South From the Pumphouse Theatre (21st St.) across the Sunalta railway crossing, onto 10 Ave at 19th St. and following 10th Ave east to Olympic Way, south on Olympic Way to 12 Ave SW and then east to 8th Street SE (Mac Donald Bridge). 5 Km 3rd. Street S.W. From Eau Claire to 8th Avenue SW 1 Km D2 D3 LENGTH COMMENT The best route is likely along 2 Ave SW between 8 St. SW and 2 St. SW PRIORITY NO. 1 Needs improved entrance east bound onto 10 Ave at 19 St. SW and a better crossing at 14 St. SW. PRIORITY NO. 6 Page 4 NORTH ROUTE MAP ROUTE N1 ROUTE NW1 ROUTE N3 ROUTE N2 Connecting Map on following page Page 5 ROUTE N3 ROUTE N1 ROUTE NW1 ROUTE N2 ROUTE E3 DOWNTOWN NORTH ROUTES ROUTE NO. N1 ROUTE DESCRIPTION 2nd Street N.W. From just south of Country Hills Blvd at MacEwen Ridge Gate, along MacEwen Dr, Sandarac Dr, Berkley Dr, Hunterview Dr, North Haven Dr, over John Laurie Blvd. at Heron Ave NW, Holland St, 40th Ave. to 3rd St NW and then south using 3rd St and 2nd St. NW. cross over Memorial Dr and Bow River and into downtown at Eau Claire and D3 route. LENGTH COMMENT 15 Km Needs priority bike/pedestrian crossing at 16th Ave. NW and priority flow for north – south bike traffic in residential areas. PRIORITY NO. 4 Page 6 N2 Northmount Drive/10 Street NW From Northland Drive NW and Northland Village along Northmount Drive NW across 14 Street NW to Cambrian Dr. NW, south on 10 Street NW to 4 Ave NW and south along 9A St. NW to LRT bridge. 7 Km N3 Northmount Drive/56 Ave NE From N2 at Cambrian Drive NW along Northmount Dr, NW across Centre St onto 56 Ave NE to Trelle Dr NE 3.6 Km NORTHWEST ROUTE MAP ROUTE NW2 ROUTE NW1 Page 7 NORTHWEST ROUTE MAP ROUTE NW1 ROUTE NW2 See following page for Northwest route descriptions and comment Page 8 NORTHWEST ROUTES ROUTE NO. ROUTE DESCRIPTION LENGTH NW 1 Citadel/Hawkwood From Hawkstone Dr NW south along Hawkwood Dr, Ranchero Dr, Ranchview Dr, across Sarcee Tr at 68th Ave, Dalhousie Dr to Northland Dr, then Brenner Dr to pathway along the south side of John Laurie Blvd to 19th St, south on 19th St to Broadview Rd, west to 21 St and overpass over Memorial Dr. to Bow River Pathway. 15 Km NW 2 Scenic Acres Along Scenic Acres Dr, Silver Springs Rd, Silver Springs Dr, 53 St NW, onto 40th Ave to 50th Street NW, south to 32 Ave and east to Montana Dr. NW, McKay Rd south to 43rd St, across 16th Ave at lights (crosswalk) and connect with Bow River Pathway. 10 Km COMMENT Connects Citadel, Hawkwood, Crowfoot Crossing, Ranchlands, Dalhousie, 53 Street LRT Station, Charleswood, (connection with Nose Hill bike routes), Capital Hill and West Hillhurst with downtown. Connects Tuscany, Scenic Acres, Silver Springs, Varsity, Market Mall, and Montgomery with downtown. Page 9 WEST ROUTE MAP DOWNTOWN ROUTE S1 ROUTE W1 ROUTE SE1 WEST ROUTES ROUTE NO. ROUTE DESCRIPTION W1 26th Avenue S.W. From Signal Hill Dr. over Sarcee (pathway overpass) at Optimist Park, onto 26 Ave SW just west of 51st St. SW, east on 26th Ave to 14th Street SW, south of 14 St. SW to Premier Way, 30 Ave SW to Elbow Drive, along Elbow Dr. to connect with S1 at 5 St. SW and 2 St. SW LENGTH COMMENT 8 Km (To S1) PRIORITY NO. 7 Page 10 SOUTH ROUTE MAP ROUTE S1 See continuation of South Route S1 on following page Page 11 SOUTH ROUTE MAP ROUTE S1 South Route Description and comment on following page Page 12 SOUTH ROUTES ROUTE NO. ROUTE DESCRIPTION S1 5th Street S.W. From Fish Creek Park, use pathway to connect with Cantrell Dr at Canyon Meadows LRT station, north along Canfield Rd, across Anderson Rd and onto Sacramento Dr and Haddon Rd to Heritage Dr, west on pathway along Heritage Dr to 5th Street SW and then north along 5th St. to Stanley Park (42 Ave SW), join the Elbow River Pathway and Rideau Rd to cross the Elbow on 4th Street. Use 2nd Street SW to downtown (connect with D2 – 10th Ave). Out bound from downtown use 5th Street between 10 Ave SW and 26th Ave SW). LENGTH COMMENT 15 Km (D2) Connects with all south leg LRT stations, Chinook Shopping Centre, Fish Creek Park, extendable to Spruce Meadows Drive. Need to confirm that the new Elbow Dr. interchange project will allow bike access over the 5th Street cross over into and out of Glenmore Landing/Kingsland on the south side of Glenmore Trail. PRIORITY NO. 5 GENERAL NOTES: There are issues with this route in winter. Riding through Kingsland is tough as there seems to be no direct east/west route and the residential streets are often snow covered. 5th Avenue is often very busy southbound in the evenings, and the lanes are narrow. Riding though Meadowlark Park is o.k., but again in winter the roads can be very icy. The same is true at the north end of Windsor Park/Stanley Park around Lansdowne Avenue and through Rideau Park, although the path is clear. But again, the speed limit of 10km/h to 20 km/h is slow along the pathway. Southbound from downtown, 2nd Street from 10th to 24th works at least as well as 5th, but the path between 24th Ave and the Elbow River is not cleared. More regular sweeping of bike routes during the winter would be appreciated (get rid of some gravel so the bike lanes can be used). Page 13 SOUTHEAST ROUTE MAP Connects with S1 ROUTE SE 2 Connects with Fish Creek Park at Canyon Meadows Drive SE Page 14 Connect with Route S1 ROUTE SE1 SOUTHEAST ROUTES ROUTE NO. ROUTE DESCRIPTION SE1 Mission Road/42 Ave SE From Downtown via 2 ST SW, connecting with Mission Road SW, cross McLeod Trail onto 36 AVE SE, across LRT tracks, then south onto Manchester Road SE, east onto 39 Ave, continuing onto 42 AVE SE down the Highfield Connector, straight across Ogden Road along 38 AVE and south at 16A ST to 42 Ave SE. LENGTH COMMENT 6 Km (to S1) See Frans Hettinga’s Comments below Page 15 ROUTE NO. ROUTE DESCRIPTION SE2 Acadia Drive SE On the designated on-street bikeway from the Fish Creek Park Pathway at Acadia Drive and Canyon Meadows, take Acadia Drive North past Anderson Drive, past Southland Drive and follow as it turns into 90th Ave Westbound. Take a right at Ancourt Road and a quick left turn onto 88th Ave. Take 88th Ave. westbound to Fairmount Drive. North on Fairmount for one quick block to 86th Ave. 86th West to Bonaventure Drive. Bonaventure Drive north to Heritage Drive. Turn left onto Heritage Drive for one block to MacLeod Trail. Cross MacLeod Trail westbound past C-train tracks and past the Telus building to 5th St. Bikeway. Then follow #S1 LENGTH COMMENT 7.5 Km (to S1) See James Bolen’s comments below Suggested improvements for Southeast Route SE1: Frans Hettinga Install catch basin at Mission Road near snow dump north of 33 AVE (ices up dangerously from curb to curb now. Curbside push buttons and flashing warning lights required at intersection of 39 AVE and 42 AVE (difficult to make a left turn when busy). This would also benefit pedestrians that walk to and from the nearby LRT station. 42 Ave SE would need extensive signage and re-striping to provide wide curb lane. Currently poor pavement near curbside. Continue bike route east of Blackfoot Trail (road has nice width here), down the Highfield Connector, straight across Ogden Road along 38 AVE and south at 16A ST (reverse stop sign) towards Ogden Rd. Wider curb lane at Ogden Road required, or consider using service road. Lower the speed limit west of the Bonnybrook Bridge to 50 kph. Proposed bike route then hooks up to pathway system at Bonnybrook Bridge. Comments on Southeast Route SE2: James Bolen: Treatment required at Anderson Drive intersection – very dangerous 100ft N-S of Anderson. Shared bike lane markers on Acadia from Canyon Meadows Drive all the way up Acadia to Anderson. Curb Extensions all along Acadia from at least Anderson to 90th around the bend. Need a treatment from Bonaventure to Heritage through the Heritage intersection accommodating a left turn for bikes. Need a major treatment at MacLeod Trail – very dangerous to past the c-train tracks; ideal would be a bike-ped overpass. There is an alternate route to continue North on Fairmount as it turns into Centre St. Then cross MacLeod at 58th Ave. to 5th St.. This is a safer MacLeod crossing, but far too dangerous along Centre St. Bikes shouldn’t be on there. Page 16 GENERAL COMMENT ON SOUTHEAST ROUTES: (James Bolen) The big challenge is to get cyclists from deeper SE to this route. Options: x Use river pathway from Douglasdale to Carburn Park to Southland Drive Bridge over Deerfoot Trail to join up with this route at Acadia. (not good in winter and currently not available because of spring flooding). x Use bike-on-bus from Mackenzie Town, etc. to a Fish Creek Entrance – follow to Canyon Meadows. x Use bike-on-bus from deep SE to Bonavista Promenade, Diamond Cove, or Deer Ridge Mall to connect to this route. x In normal summer conditions, the river pathway to bird sanctuary is good, but very long – not useful in winter. EAST ROUTES ROUTE NO. ROUTE DESCRIPTION LENGTH E1 8 Avenue SE From Fort Calgary along 9 Ave SE to 8 St. SE, along 8 Ave SE to 15 St. SE at 17 Ave SE. 2 Km E2 16 Ave SE From 15 St. SE along 17 Ave SE across the Bow River on the Cushing Bridge, over Deerfoot Tr. with 16 Ave at 27 St. SE, east along 16 Ave SE to 52 Street SE. 5 Km 8 Ave NE/Rundlehorn Dr NE Rundelhorn Dr. NE from 52 St. NE to 20 Ave NE, Sunridgeway, 23 Ave. to 19 St. NE, south to 8 Ave NE to connect with N1 at 2 St. NW. 10 Km E3 COMMENT PRIORITY NO. 2 PRIORITY NO. 3 Route E1 Comments (Frans Hettinga) Create extra room/curb cuts at the corner of 8 ST and 9 Ave to allow cyclists to enter the road from the pathway across the Elbow River (future bridge planned north of Ft Calgary across the Elbow River?). Curbside push buttons and flashing warning lights at Route E1 crossing with 12 ST? Curb cut and push button for lights at 15 ST and 9 Ave (near Molson Brewery). Determine whether 17 AVE SE at 15 ST SE (near Molson Brewery) can be converted into bike route to allow access to 17 AVE SE Bridge and Forest Lawn area (Route E2). South Pathway Connection with E1/E2 Continue bike route along 9 AVE and re-engineer sewer grates at CPR underpass. Page 17 Educational signage required at 19 ST and 9 AVE for left turning motorized traffic (e.g. “Turning vehicles yield to cyclists”). From 19 ST going east to Bird Sanctuary is an existing bike route. EAST ROUTE MAP ROUTE E1 ROUTE E2 Pathway Connection Page 18 Additional Comment on Routes E1 and E2 (Stewart Midwinter): From 12 St, take 8 Ave to 15 St, turning right, South, to 17 Ave. Curb cut required at the deadend on 15 St to get up to stoplight at 9 Ave / 17 Ave. Turn left and ride E on 17 Ave (4 lanes for one block - a stencil would be helpful? See picture 9850s looking W). Continue on 17 Ave E to 17A St where the avenue turns and joins Blackfoot Trail at a stoplight. Leave the road here and continue on N-side sidewalk. This needs to be designated a multi-use pathway. Continue E on the N side of 17 Blackfoot, which becomes 17 Ave again as it crosses Bow River with a wide sidewalk on the N side (see picture 9848s looking W), then Deerfoot (picture 9843s and 9842s), then the irrigation canal. All the road crossings have good curb cuts. There is a pathway all the way, which needs to be designated multi-use if not already that way. The only dangerous crossing is S-bound Deerfoot exiting onto W-bound 17 Ave (a situation developed as a pedestrian and I were about to step out on the marked crosswalk, as a car speeding at 80 km/h on the exit ramp had to lay down a skidding 4-wheel drift to stop in time). East of the canal, continue up the hill on the N-side sidewalk (visible in 9842s) and follow it around to the north beside the Deerfoot-17 building. Get back on the road, the termination of Barlow Trail, ride one block E, then turn N on 27 St one block, E on 16 Ave one block, N on 28 St one block at the end of the shopping mall, then E again on 16 Ave and continue all the way to 52 St. 16 Ave is a good choice. It's protected by a number of school zones and 4-way stops, so traffic is light. It's a wide street with one lane + parking. Lot of room for cyclists. There is only one obstacle to be removed: at 36 St, currently there are signs prohibiting straight-through traffic during rush hour; an exception needs to be posted for cyclists (since anyway they can just dismount and walk across). 9850s 9848s 9842s 9843s Page 19 ROUTE NE2 ROUTE NE1 ROUTE E3 ROUTE E2 NORTHEAST ROUTE MAP Page 20 NORTHEAST ROUTES ROUTE NO. ROUTE DESCRIPTION LENGTH NE1 19 Street NE From Calgary International Airport Pathway across McKnight Blvd. NE, south on 19 St. NE to 30 Ave, west to 18 St. NE, south to 24 Ave and then south on 19 St NE to Memorial Dr and Max Bell LRT Station and the river pathway system 5.6 Km NE2 Falconridge Blvd./Whitehorn From 76 Ave NE (Taradale) south on Falconridge Blvd. and 52 St NE to 44 Ave NE, Whitefield Dr, 39 Ave NE, 37 Ave NE, and 30 Ave NE to 19 Street (Route NE1) 8.5 Km COMMENT OTHER AREAS SUGGESTED FOR IMPROVEMENT Pathway bike route comments: x Fix the Langevin Bridge underpass that was washed away in the flood! x Open bridge underpass sections when not under direct threat of flood or ice. x Regularly sweep the pathway for broken glass, especially near the drop-in centre x Provide lighting along main pathway sections used for commuting, and/or increase bike-police patrols during commuting hours (6am onward, especially during dark periods of the year, including all winter) (reports of female cyclists being assaulted). x Provide good lighting on all bridge underpasses on downtown bridges (currently dark, unsafe due to presence of transient people) x Lane & direction markings are needed on the 'Promenade' between 10 St NW and Centre St. x Lane & direction markings are needed on all ped bridges over Bow River Page 21 x All public signs on the pathways should be no higher than 2.0m (not 3.5 - 4m!); they can't be seen at night by bike headlight x Where the pathways split into a ped-only and bikes-only section, there should be clear signs (permissive, not prohibitive in nature) and also stencils; get rid of "seasonal" signs that mean nothing, and replace with fixed dates. During bikeonly season, enforce the prohibition on pedestrians! OR eliminate the seasonal aspect altogether. x On the bikes-only pathway sections, change 20 km/h speed limits to 30 or 40 km/h x Where there are 10 km/h sections, add directions to rollerbladers "slow to walking speed" x Replace concrete south wall of ped bridge over Deerfoot at 24 Ave NE with screen so sunlight can keep the surface clear of ice x Negotiate re-connection of bike path sections in Carburn Park x Fix the rash of frost boils/root heaves on N-side Bow R pathway just west of Crowchild Trail, and on N-side pathway between weir and 17 Ave SE x De-bottleneck the obstruction on bridge at N end of zoo island (Bob Baines bridge) x Eliminate the bushy tree on SW corner of Jaipur bridge onto Prince's Island - it blocks visibility of the busiest intersection on the pathway system, and hides the speed-limit sign On-Street bike-route comments: x Bike routes need snow-clearing or else cyclists will just use main roads - all cycle routes need occasional sweeping of curb-lane edges, especially on bridges, since automobiles do not provide this function x Encourage Calgary Transit to provide a policy on bike-transit integration, and to market the concept including use-case examples x Shorten the rush-hour bike blackout on C-Trains x Foldable bikes carried onto C-Trains at any time, when in a bag x Develop comparative commute times from various points in the city - update bike map to show prime commuter routes; get rid of or de-emphasize the myriad disconnected bits of residential-area pathways that go nowhere x Bike stencils on all prime commuter bike routes x Reduce vehicle speed limit on all bike commuter routes to 40 km/h in areas where there is narrow street width Page 22 x Bike stencils in the centre of the right-hand lane on all underpasses in the city, especially under downtown railway underpasses, to remind motorists of our right to take a lane when safety requires it OR designate the adjacent sidewalks on both sides as shared ped/bike use with reduced speed x Signs on all bus traps excepting bicycles (if not already placed) x Signs on all neighbourhood road closures excepting bicycles, where appropriate x Where barriers are used to block neighbourhoods, place the bicycle gateway be in the middle of the road, not next to the curb where parked cars block it (e.g. 2 St NW at 15 Ave). x Designate 14 St NW and 10 St NW E-side sidewalks as one-way uphill bikeways on the hills in Hillhurst-Sunnyside (ditto for Centre St & Edmonton Trail, and W side of 14 St into Mt. Royal). In fact, anywhere there is a steep hill and high traffic, separated 'lane' needs to be provided for bicycles. Miscellaneous: Safety/educational signage at road - pathway intersections: x At every location where a pathway ends at a road or a road crosses a pathway: "WATCH FOR PATHWAY USERS" (and for pathway users) “YIELD TO CROSS TRAFFIC” x Construction and placement of portable motorist/cyclist educational signage similar to existing City signage “DID YOU MERGE CORRECTLY?” and “PEDESTRIAN & MOTORISTS – WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER”. Suggested focus – “MOTORISTS – WATCH FOR CYCLISTS PROCEEDING STRAIGHT THROUGH”, placed in advance of vehicle right turns Suggested other categories for role model bike route selection: x Downtown inbound, bus bike rack outbound & uphill x Multi-modal 2-direction – a route within a 5 km radius of a residential area LRT station equipped with bike racks and/or bike lockers x Residential area to outlying industrial park – 2 directions x Post-secondary institution routes ( U of C, SAIT, MRC) x Active and safe route to school for bike users Page 23 ON-STREET COMMUTER BIKE GROUP VOLUNTEERS NAME Shelley Alexander John Alliston James Bolen Kayla Bonham Brent Daignault Steve Elliot Clem Feldmeyer Ted Foster Jeff Gruttz Frans Hettinga Don Hollingshead Jerry Hoult Sean Huggins-Chan Jon Keech Natasha Kuzmak Stewart Midwinter Jim Oldham Finn Pedersen John Plant James Purdy CP Walsh Joe Seitz REPRESENTING (Calgary Area Outdoor Council) (SE Calgary – independent) (EVCC) (CPAC) (EVCC, ABA) (CPAC – EVCC Advocacy) (EVCC) (Cycle Calgary) (Calgary Bicycle Track League) (ABA Recreation & Transportation Committee) (Calgary Bike Roots) (Crankmasters Cycle Club) (Downtown Bike Users Group) (Cycle Calgary) (Calgary Bicycle Track League) Page 24