between 27th and 18th Avenues.
My first impression (after having biked down them last night) is that,
while they help to an extent, that it still is probably safer to ride
down side streets during peak hours.
Particularly on certain blocks, the lanes offer a fairly limited width
and so one has to be extremely careful to avoid being doored or
veering into motor vehicle traffic.
One potential result of the lanes is that motorists might slow down a
bit due to the narrower traffic lanes, so I guess that's good. Still,
with heavy bus traffic, there's a limit to how much they can avoid
cyclists, and bikers as well as bus drivers will need to give each
other space.
Overall, my judgement is that they are a positive in that they more
clearly delineate bicyclists' right to be on the street, but that they
are a preferred route only after dark when some side streets might be
poorly lit and otherwise dicey due to potential criminal activity on
problem blocks.
What do you all think?
(Btw, Mpls schools start tomorrow, so watch for school buses. Transit
bus riders should prepare for slightly slower rides as high school
students begin using transit for trips to/from school. Also,
additional service on Lowry Ave (rt 32) starts tomorrow as well.)
Chris David
Columbia Park - NE Mpls
612.205.1159