Good Intentions, Bad Execution -- Berteau Greenway

Its probably not fair and a bit too early to judge, but the Berteau Greenway looks to be a disaster in the making for Bicycles.    They have decided to keep it "open" end to end for cars rather than putting in a series of cul de sac's open for bicycles.  To "calm" the traffic, they have narrowed the intersections.  Will it slow down cars, if two cars are coming in opposite directions, yes, certainly.   But with bicycles involved, it may well simply result in cars crowding bicycles to the side of the road.    Add to this the fact that at one way portions of Berteau, they are going to allow two way bicycling....  which, in addition to being a bad idea due to the narrowness of the street, sends the message to at least a portion of the community that Salmoning is not a bad idea.    Maybe I will love it.... but my current plan is to find another street to come across... perhaps Lincoln to Grace..

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on October 2, 2013 at 2:23pm

The westernmost contraflow lanes are too narrow – you're basically entirely in the door zone. The design of the road doesn't slow cars down at all, and without lane diverters (the median on Clark is designed in a way to still allow left turns onto Berteau) it's not really a neighborhood greenway. Just a regular residential street with some extra paint and a few wider curbs. CDOT half-assed this one, and it shows.

 

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on October 22, 2013 at 1:54pm

I rode southward through there last week during morning rush. I have no problems with taking a lane if I need to, however, when cars have no traffic control southbound from Montrose their speeds are higher than mine. I pulled over before hitting that island and waited for a break.  Whomever advocated the sentiment that we're "supposed to take a lane," I say go for it at during travel times and see how long ya last.  

It's a goddamn god awful design.



Jeff Schneider said:

It's happened already.  Tonight I see that the sign on the south end of the island has been run over by a driver and completely flattened.   That sign actually had reflectors to warn drivers of the presence of the island. 

Jeff Schneider said:

Going north on Clark past the pedestrian island makes me a bit nervous.  There is not enough room for a car to pass a bike adjacent to the island.  I fear that drivers following me will either run over the island trying to pass me or run me down when they notice the island and don't have time to stop.

OT: Tonight I saw another driver run over a crosswalk stop sign.  If they can't see the sign, would they see me?


Duppie 13.5185km said:

As part of the Greenway, they put in bumpouts and a pedestrian island where Clark and Berteau meet. Cars regularly speed on thatstretch. They also painted the contra flow bike lanes.

Overall, the biggest improvement is various pieces of insfrastructure to slow traffic down. Sounds like a win to me.

Permalink Reply by Renee Patten on October 28, 2013 at 2:33pm

Wrote an article from the Huffington Post; goes over a lot of the issues people have posted here. 

"A Ride Across the Berteau Avenue Greenway"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/renee-patten/a-ride-across-the-bertea...

Permalink Reply by Davo on October 29, 2013 at 4:20am

Damen has some signs posted but In not the most visible places.
Cameron 7.5 mi said:

I rode a the contraflow section of Berteau for the first time last night. When you approach this section from a cross street, there really isn't any indication to pedestrians and motorists that there is two way bike traffic. The street really looks like a one way street and I worry that most cross traffic will only look one way.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 19, 2014 at 2:14am

any updates here?    I rode it a few days ago and thought the cars looked at me like i was riding the wrong way.  And when riding west I was a bit fearful for my life that a car was going to honk at me for taking over the lane.

Permalink Reply by Mark on March 19, 2014 at 3:27am

The signs on the island in the middle of Clark have been run over as predicted, so now there is no warning for drivers.  This island is dangerous for both cyclists and drivers and needs to be removed!

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on March 19, 2014 at 7:14am

Rather than grousing here about how godawful this street/intersection design is, who within the city complex needs to here these same opinions?  Streets and San? 311?  Who can create deliberate action towards fixing this mess? 

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 19, 2014 at 7:32am

Pretty sure those who are in charge will read this, so the more observations, helpful tips and opinions, the better.  


Craig S. said:

Rather than grousing here about how godawful this street/intersection design is, who within the city complex needs to here these same opinions?  Streets and San? 311?  Who can create deliberate action towards fixing this mess? 

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on March 19, 2014 at 7:51am

Wow, can't believe i wrote "here" in place of "hear."  Unforgivable user error on my part.

Really? People in the city's administration read this blasted forum?

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on March 19, 2014 at 11:08am

Honestly I think the huge problem is education. Of drivers, but of all users. The greenway is made for bikes to fully take the lane and cars to slow down behind us, but if no one knows that, a bad situation grows. I think our local ward folks and CDOT bike program might be able to help. I'll bring the issue to the next transportation committee meeting for sure.

Keep it coming!

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on March 19, 2014 at 11:51am

Intentionally turning a cyclist into a living calming device doesn't seem like a good idea.  If traffic calming is designed to irritate drivers you don't want them irritated at a person that's near to hand (or bumper).

Permalink Reply by Renee Patten on March 20, 2014 at 3:34am

My biggest peeve currently is cars speeding around me in the middle of the blocks (I ride through the markings on the road now, far from doors) and then cutting me off at the stop signs. Inconsiderate and rude. Sometime a driver will go slowly behind me and not try to speed past which is a nice change of pace. 

Riding on Clark at the bump-out I take the lane and hold my arm out to the side so cars can't try to squeeze past - that part sucks as well. 

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