And these are turning up in a few places as well - hopefully we'll see more of them!
Monday, February 8, 2010
...Except Bicycles
It's getting more and more common to see the words "Except Bicycles" on traffic signs around Portland:
And these are turning up in a few places as well - hopefully we'll see more of them!
And these are turning up in a few places as well - hopefully we'll see more of them!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
Whenever I'm on my bike doing whatever I'm allowed to do that the cars behind me aren't (generally going straight on in an otherwise right-turn-only lane) I feel extra-super at-risk, and hope that cars are seeing the "except bicycles" sign as clearly as I am.
I'm glad they're there, those signs, but I read them as "bicyclists use extra caution here."
Most of the ones I see are traffic diverters (like that first one), so the automobiles would have to drive over curbs or planted islands to follow me, so I don't feel too threatened :)
That contra-flow bike lane (there are a few of those near our apartment) is on a pretty low-traffic street - if it was on, say Hawthorne or Burnside, I probably wouldn't use it so much, but it's a nice convenience just having the freedom to ride in any direction when the cars have to go around :)
I love "Except Bicycles"!!!! They always make me happy!!!!
Very cool! I haven't seen any of those in Chicago yet, but soon I'm sure.
There are some interesting ones in Portland -
I just added one (the third image in the post), where the road curves to the left (and melds into the perpendicular street). Car traffic going this direction is presented with a planted island in the middle of the lane, so they must turn left. Car traffic coming the other direction can continue straight or turn right. Going this direction, bicycles have three options - they can also turn left, or they can continue straight in two ways. There is a contra-flow bike lane that goes around the left side of the planted island, and there is a narrow path between the right curb and the island.
I've seen a couple of treatments elsewhere in Portland that are similar to this, and always thought it was kind of a nice way to do it. It's almost like there's a secret bicycle path :)
Very cool. I actually live west of the city so I haven't had the opportunity to see any of these myself. It's still pretty basic out here with just the odd bike lane on certain streets for a part of the way.
jealous... so many cool bike facilities in Portland. Portland needs to be exporting these ideas a bit more.
Post a Comment