|
||||
| Cyclists put on notice: Dismount on sidewalks |
Cyclists in the Center: Some ride the sidewalk ...
Cyclists are expected to follow an Arlington bylaw requiring them to walk their bikes on sidewalks. To catch their attention, new signs were posted at Mass. Ave. and Pleasant. Ordering the signs was Town Manager Brian Sullivan after a selectmen's vote Aug. 9. Scott Smith of the selectmen's Tranmsportation Advisory Committee (TAC) explained that last winter TAC and the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee were asked to suggest a program to improve bicycle safety, with a particular focus on Arlington Center. Results included a brochure, a study on reengineering theintersection to improve safety and mobility for all users, and some short-term recommendations. For details, click here >> This summer, after Sullivan asked what could be done now, TACdeveloped the some short-term recommendations, to include signs/stencils and paint. They were presented to the selectmen in June. See the documents here >> and item 10 here >> Smith said his understanding is that since the stencils take more time to prepare, the signs were installed as a stopgap measure. 
... and some walk the walk.
Town Engineer Mike Rademacher wrote in an e-mail Aug. 23 that the signs are "temporary until we can get the stencils to paint on the sidewalk and roadway. I do not know when the final work will be done (it is weather permitting)." On a sunny Friday, Aug. 20. at 4 p.m., YourArlington went to Mass. Ave. and Pleasant. In just a few minutes, a number of cyclist were seen riding on the sidewalk, as they made their way from one part of the Minteman Bikeway to the other. A few cyclists walked their bikes, as the bylaw requires. One pedestrian commented to the photographer about nearly being hit. At the same time, a number of driver did not stop and wait for the green turning arrow at Mass. Ave. where Mystic becomes Pleasant. The arrow is supposed to be enough of a sign. It is expected that cyclists will continue to ride on the sidewalks until a safe, nonsidewalk route to bridge the Bikeway gap is provided. |
| Last Updated ( Monday, 23 August 2010 15:39 ) |
ATTENTION
Registered as well as unregistered users of YourArlington may post comments, but ALL have to sign with their FULL, REAL NAMES for the comments to remain. Your comments remain unpublished until the site's manager publishes them. If there is a delay, the publisher is probably on vacation and you must await his return.
NOTE: The "title" is the headline over your comment, not Mr. or Ms.