New crossing signs along Euclid Avenue at First, Second, and Fifth Streets warning motorists to expect both bicyclists and pedestrians have popped up in recent weeks.
They were added because the closure of University Boulevard has prompted cyclists to find alternate routes to get through the area.
Flashing lights to call attention to the signs have been ordered, but are not in place yet.
The signs could be seen as legitimizing bicyclists’ use of crosswalks, which isn’t illegal. There was an article in the Arizona Daily Star about bicyclists use of crosswalks that was worth checking out.
I’ve used the crossing at Second Street a lot recently both as a pedestrian and a bicyclist and it is less then ideal.
When you are on a bike, it isn’t clear what motorists are supposed to do. When I am riding, I do not use the crosswalk, instead I wait for a clearing and ride across. I’ve had situations, where people stop for me however. The problem is that not everyone stops at the same time.
You can start riding across and someone in the second lane doesn’t stop.
The same problem happens with pedestrians. A motorist might not be paying attention and will come to a screeching halt when they realize all three other lanes have stopped for a pedestrian walking across the street.
What do you think of the signs and the crossing?
The Street Car Team promised at the last BAC meeting to make that crossing an improved one for bikes since University is closed. They said they are going to install RRFB signals which stand for, Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons. It’s not a Hawk signal but the next best thing I guess. Something is needed to make it a more predictable crossing. Why are they only getting around to this now? They had like two years to plan for this closure.
Just be extra careful around there for the next 18 months or so. It’s a little like the street fair is constantly in progress. Cyclists and motorists get confused by the closures, and every minute there is a visitor to the area that has no idea what’s happening.
I’ve not found any satisfactory way to cross Euclid by bike. I’ve settled on Second Street as the best of a variety of bad alternatives. I use the crosswalk sometimes, and use the island as a way to get halfway across while waiting for traffic to clear.
I didn’t know that lights are to be installed. That’s probably a good idea, but it is curious that the lights weren’t ready when University was closed weeks ago.
Crossing Euclid from east to west is confusing. There’s two eastbound traffic lanes. One lane is labeled right turn only; the other lane is labeled left turn only. Underneath the sign that defines each lane’s use is a “bikes exempt” sign, meaning that bikes aren’t required to turn left or right. The confusing part is which lane do bikes use to go straight through the intersection? I guess it really doesn’t matter, but it’s confusing.
Also, I think that Second Street is mis-named. That street’s few blocks west of Euclid are as bumpy as any I’ve been on. So, Second Street is second to no other street in bumpy-ness.
I have been using 1st Street. The pavement on 2nd Street between 1st and 3rd avenue is so bad that I can’t ride on it more than 2 miles an hour. 1st is only bad in spots. I (almost) never ride a bike in a crosswalk. I am continually astonished at how little accommodation there is for bike traffic whenever there is any kind of road construction. I think this street car renovation is the most egregious example I have seen so far.
Before the U of A let out, I was telling people I had the most dangerous commute of my life between the construction on University and the dodging of completely oblivious U of A students on campus.
I am generally neutral to supportive of the construction in general. I just hope the local businesses can survive all this progress.
The Downtown/UA subcommittee of the BAC will have streetcar people at their Monday meeting and they are going to get an earful.
Every comment above is right. 2nd St. is the bumpiest in the neighborhood and the most unridable piece of asphalt I’ve ever been on. The ‘enhanced’ intersections should have been in place before the closures took place. I’m not sure what RRFB is, but my idea is that it is like the height warning signs at 4th Ave….flashing LEDs around a road sign. Most motorists are pretty watchful at the 2nd St. crossing, but like was mentioned, you can’t count on all four lanes.
The signal at University and Euclid is still the safest place to cross and I’m going to petition for provisional sidewalk riding on the west side of Euclid from 5thSt. to University and 2nd St. to University to accommodate that and reduce the lure of sidewalk riding along University.
5th St. has middle school drop off traffic and high school congestion to contend wih.
This whole situation illustrates a de-emphasis of consideration to cyclists needs in this area.
I have been using 5th street and it works out well for me. It’s a nice road & is lightly used. No way I can go down 2nd with all the bumps.
An RRFB signal is more high tech than those flashing LED warning sign lights. Instead of being on all the time, RRFB’s can be activated curbside by bikes or walkers. Good video of them in action here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBltx0Argag&feature=player_embedded#!
Thanks for that, Kevin. I haven’t seen one of those before.
If they install those at the intersection, that would be an enhancement.
That intersection is ALWAYS dangerous as a ped or a cyclist…HAWK all the way.