Park Avenue Bike Lanes: Ascent

On 6 December the LB Department of Public Works completed bike-lanes on Park Avenue, from Wendt Terrace to Alta Laguna Blvd. The project was completed on request from the school district to manage eBikes and bicycles near Thurston Intermediate School. 

It is noteworthy of this project that 

• the posted speed limits were not reduced
• on-street parking retained even where nobody parks
  
• the motorist lane width was greatly reduced
• Sharrows were considered inappropriate
• no traffic counts (measurements) were taken
  

 These are photos taken from a cyclists perspective ascending Park Avenue from Wendt Terrace to Alta Laguna Blvd.

How could LB Public Works improve projects like this ?

1. Reduce posted roadway speeds and differentials
   
2. Employ traffic calming devices
3. Prioritize roadway users to on-street parking
4. Consult street users who actually ride bikes
5. Take traffic counts: Peds, Bikes, Bus, Cars
6. Consult cycling organizations: BikeLA, CABO
7. Utilize Sharrows on descent, bike-lanes on ascent

-LS

Park Avenue Bike Lanes: Descent

On 6 December the LB Department of Public Works completed bike-lanes on Park Avenue, from Wendt Terrace to Alta Laguna Blvd. The project was completed on request from the school district to manage eBikes and bicycles near Thurston Intermediate School. 

It is noteworthy of this project that 

• the posted speed limits were not reduced
• on-street parking retained
  
• the motorist lane width was greatly reduced
• Sharrows were considered inappropriate
• no traffic counts (measurements) were taken
  

No cyclist advocacy nor bicycle retailers nor cycling organizations were consulted for this project.

LB Public Works said:

"This project was initiated at the request of the School District and City Council, with the primary goal of improving safety for bicyclists. The Class II Bike Lane was designed by the City’s consultant Traffic Engineer, under the guidance of the City Engineer. Given the posted speed limits on Park Avenue, sharrows were not considered as they are not recommended for roads with higher speeds. Therefore, buffer zones were incorporated into the design to provide an additional layer of safety for cyclists (emphasis LS).

The project underwent extensive public review and was discussed in four public meetings, offering ample opportunities for public feedback; however, the individuals mentioned in your email were not directly consulted during the process. The Planning Commission conditionally approved the project at its February 7, 2024, meeting, and subsequently approved modified conditions at the August 21, 2024, meeting. "

 

Motorists and cyclists may decide for themselves whether the bike-safety objective was met. Join me on a gutter-bunny descent of Park Avenue from Alta Laguna to Santa's Beach Shack with a stop at Thurston  Intermediate School

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When the automobile remains king-of-the-road then killer traffic engineers hand us roadway designs like this one.  Next week the ascent of Park Avenue.

-

LS