maallyn

Folks:
We have a situation here in Bellingham, Washington where the underpass under a freeway is too narrow.
I have come up with an idea that could resolve this issue.
I wish to share this with you all in hope that you may be able to consider this if you have similar issues in your town
Idea for improving sidewalk space

GamblerGORD53

Still whining about that?? LOL.
I was there in 2018. Maybe just raise the sidewalk a foot or 2. That would help make room to widen it.
The worst part was turning left onto it from the north-east side.

maallyn

Good suggestion! Thank you. I am planning to push out a revised video incorporating your suggestion along with some others. Vimeo allows me to replace a video but keep the same link. Youtube changes the video link if I replace the video.

tomato coupe

A 3 ft. sidewalk isn't enough -- you need a 15 ft. sidewalk?

maallyn

This is a very dangerous road. There is not enough room on that sidewalk for a pedestrian to walk past someone coming the opposite direction on a wheelchair or motorized wheelchair. The road is too dangerous for bicycles, especially at night. Two days ago, I was walking my bicycle on the sidewalk. A person in a motorized wheel chair (often called a personal mobility device, which, by the way, are prescribed by a doctor) was coming in the opposite direction. I had to step onto the roadway, taking much risk.

I am very curious, why are you objecting to widening the sidewalk? Being a bicycling, I would have thought that you would be more forgiving to others who are engaged in non-motorized transportation.

maallyn

For those of you who are not familiar with this bad intersection;
Mark

Daniel4

That intersection looks like it's in the middle of nowhere. I bet the street planners were also thinking the same thing and didn't consider anybody other than motor vehicles being there.

If that indeed is the crossroad between nowhere and nowhere, then, like always, it'll be an uphill battle to convince the city to accommodate other road users if the city has a mindset that other types of road users shouldn't be there.

Hang in there.Vancouver planner Brent Toderian is fond of saying, you cannot justify a bridge by counting the number of people who currently swim across the river.

livedarklions

You're kidding, right? Pretty obvious that the concrete is holding the dirt embankment in place, and that the embankment is actually load bearing

Iride01 

I'd be on the road on my bicycle slowing everyone in motor vehicles up. Then maybe they'd complain to the supervisors about how badly they need a working bike lane under that thing.

canopus 

Why dont you and some friends get a trimmer, a trashcan and a broom and clean up the overgrowth, dirt and trash once in a while. That would give you a foot of sidewalk.

I-Like-To-Bike

Maybe that could be a possible outcome. I can think of far more likely reactions from the affected motorists and far more likely response from the supervisors to the motorists' complaints to your version of bicycling advocacy.

Iride01 

I can think of lots too. I'm sure we all have imaginations which in and of themselves are generally good. However when you let yourself believe that every motorist out there on the road wants to run you over as soon as they get a chance, then that's where your imagination starts to lead to trouble and you give up your right to ride where it should be safe for you.

Maybe it's different in other states, however none of that traffic would be a problem for me here. Maybe some are cussing under their breath as I slow them down, but most pass with care and sensibly. Those that don't... well, they still miss me.

Gyro

That's someone else's job.

Daniel4

The City's reaction can go either way.

In Toronto, a kid returning home from school was run over and killed by a driver who jumped a curb while by-passing a traffic light at the major intersection. The City closed the pathway in which school kids and residences uses.

Otoh, due to the pandemic, the City quickly installed many separated bike lanes, one of which Bicycle Advocates have been calling for years before. And then there was one bike lane in the suburbs removed because motorists complained.

c_m_shooter

I don't see a problem. Take the lane or hop the curb.

Daniel4

If drivers are patient, there's no problem. If drivers complain, then the City will have to take action.