6. Pedestrian and Bike Bridges over 101

Arlie ped and bike bridge over 101I work two miles from home, but I cannot bike to work because it’s too dangerous to get across 101.  Both the Holly Street overpass and the Ralston overpass are too dangerous for bikes and anyway the  bikes impede the flow of traffic. – Arley Lewis

4 Comments

  1. I used Google earth to take a look at your two overpasses and I totally sympathize with the situation. Those overpasses have entrance and exit ramps on the right with likely speeds of 25+ mph and there was a live traffic speed of 57mph on the overpass when I checked.

    I’m certain that trying to ride through those merges in the right lane could raise your heart rate. And staying to the left lane and avoiding the merging traffic puts you in the “fast” lane where a bicycle is not likely to be appreciated.

    I’d try the overpass myself, at least once during low traffic volumes to see how it feels to deal with the merges.

    By the way…its always easier to get the bike facilities put in place during construction because they represent such a small part of the overall cost of the project.

  2. Bike/ped bridge(s) over 101 are a great idea. I take significant risk everyday biking to work over Ralston–it’s better than Holly, but not by much. I understand there might be a new bike/ped bridge just north of Ralston in the works, with stimulus funding (?) that would be great.

  3. > easier to get the bike facilities put in place during construction

    Great idea. Thanks.

    I do ride the Holly St. overpass sometimes, and have worked out some strategies for keeping myself out of the way of the cars, but it does raise the HR, even for a seasoned bike commuter. Ironically, my bike commute to my old office was 21 miles long, but totally safe.

  4. I this is a fantastic idea. I have ridden the overpass once (scary).


Post a Comment

*
*