Well-designed, protected bike lanes are not only the desire for riders, but a necessity for cities to offer sustainable transport. Bikes sales are on the rise and it is imperative that cities meet the growing demand. As Portland-based planner Nick Falbo describes: "If your city is designed so that you may bike instead of drive, it would be a happier, healthier place to live." With that in mind, Falbo has revealed a systematic proposal that can make the intersections safer for bicyclists, cars and pedestrians.
Fours steps for safer crossings, after the break...
"Sharing busy traffic lanes with cars is absolutely unacceptable, and separation by a line of paint is often not enough," explains Falbo. Therefore, he suggests these four solutions:
- Install a corner refuge island that increases a safe haven for bicyclist and pedestrians.
- Install a forward stop bar that would increase bicyclist visibility, give them a "head start" in front of cars, and shorten the distance of the crossing.
- Setback bicycle crossings 6 meters from the intersections to increase reaction times.
- Install traffic signals for bicyclists.
Via Plataforma Urbana, PeopleforBikes
