In the last story on this subject a couple days ago, we went for a short video ride on Madison Street, where the city of Albany is planning a project to enhance bike safety. Here’s a slightly longer ride along all eight blocks of Madison from Pacific Boulevard to Water Avenue.
This took place on Sunday afternoon. You’ll notice that there’s hardly any traffic, which is typical for Sundays.
You can read more about the background of this bike boulevard idea in the previous story. The planned safety project was prompted by a number of bike-car crashes along that street, the city says.
With traffic relatively light even on weekdays, it’s hard for me to see what would explain an unusual number of crashes. About the only tricky place for people on bikes is where Madison crosses Second Avenue. The elevated railroad track a block to the west limits your vision of oncoming traffic until it comes flying over the Second Avenue hump.
This week the city’s bike and pedestrian advisory commission is supposed to discuss whether to combine the safety enhancements with the more elaborate steps that would be needed for a regular bike boulevard.
Depending on what they advise, the city council may have to get involved. In any case, you can count on a follow-up here when and if there’s something to follow up. (hh)
On Madison Street Sunday afternoon: Not much traffic.
They say we as driver need to pay attention to THEM. Yet they pay NO attention to us! He RAN 2 STOPS SIGNS in this video! He has the SAME laws We have in a car yet break them everytime they’re on a road. He was swerveing all over, probably not even paying attention to any drivers that may be behind him! Same thing in Corvallis! BICYCLISTS NEED TO PAY MORE DAMN ATTENTION NOT THE DRIVERS OF VEHICLES!!!!!
Thanks for watching the video and catching those details. But actually, the law says bicyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs, meaning that stopping is not required if there is no cross traffic. As for swerving, I have a mirror to show me any cars behind me, and there are potholes and rough pavement to avoid.
Mr.Hering, i do like your support for urban bicycling. There is so much opportunity. I look
forward on what the city’s bike and pedestrian advisory committee comes up with.
Here are some sources on what is possible, all are available on YouTube.
Not just bikes – City design for neighborhoods
Bicycle Dutch – everyday cycling in the Netherlands
Propel – Why don’t the Dutch wear helmets
Streetfilms – Groningen The World’s Cycling City
Thank you for what you doing
I keep thinking it may have something to do with the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway in that area (crossing Madison at SE 1st Ave) but probably not.
Anyway, a great reason to tout this tourism opportunity –
https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/bicycling/willamette-valley-scenic-bikeway/