James Stoops examined a big map of Burlington and stuck red dots where he thinks the city could improve safety for cyclists.
The Winooski resident is hardcore: He commutes year-round on a bike to his job at CarShare Vermont in Burlington. He was one of about 40 people who attended a public workshop Thursday night to brainstorm about ways to expand bike and pedestrian access.
The recent fatalities of three cyclists outside the city and a serious accident that injured a cyclist on Pine Street last week are reminders of the need for change, Stoops said.
“It’s very sad and tragic.”
Burlington can lead, he added, by creating “real, protected bike lanes and slower speeds for cars and actually enforcing the speed limits.”
The brainstorming session took place in a vacant restaurant space at 144 Church Street across from Burlington City Hall. It was part of planBTV Walk Bike, a city-led effort to get people out of cars. The ultimate goal is to produce a bike and pedestrian plan for consideration by the city council. If approved, the plan would be one chapter in a larger municipal plan.
The previous day, city officials and consultants conducted “handlebar” and “walkabout” tours of Burlington with anybody who wanted to point out things that are working—or not working. At Thursday’s workshop, people spoke up. Some beefed about problems ranging from cracked sidewalks to crabby motorists, and others offered suggestions.
Among the observations: The Burlington bike path is busy with cyclists and not always safe for pedestrians; the rotary where Shelburne Street triangulates into South Union, South Winooski and South Willard is so inhospitable to cyclists that some have nicknamed it “the intersection of death;” and each shuttle bus heading up steep College Street should pull a big trailer to carry bikes.
During the summer, the city could try demonstration projects to slow traffic and expand bike access and pedestrian safety, according to City of Burlington Transportation Planner Nicole Losch. Then in September, the city will host more meetings at sites around Burlington to solicit opinions on a list of specific improvements. Completion of the bike and pedestrian plan is targeted for December.
Numerous people at Thursday’s meeting said Burlington needs more bike lanes that are separated from traffic. They predicted that until that happens, it will be difficult to increase cycling among those who currently feel that riding is unsafe. The painted white lines now designating bike lanes at the side of many city streets are not adequate, they said.
Cities around the world use various strategies—ranging from posts to narrow concrete islands to curbing—to create barriers between cycling lanes and traffic. One of the slides presented at the meeting showed a demonstration project using wine barrels and flower planters to establish a bike lane—the idea being that it’s relatively easy for communities to test solutions.
Losch said the city is interested in separated lanes. “It’s definitely something we want to take a really close look at.”
That city’s proposals are good news to Kiersten Hallquist, who decided to stop sinking money into her beater car a year ago and live car-free. The downtown Burlington resident, who works as a student services representative at the University of Vermont Medical College, estimates she’s saving at least $500 a month on car payments, repairs, insurance and gas. Hallquist said more people would follow her example if the city could design streets to make cyclists feel safer. “Living carless is something I like and I’m proud of and wish more people had the opportunity to consider without risking their lives.”
Right now cyclists sometimes feel there is no room for them anywhere—motorists yell it them when they ride in the street, and pedestrians yell at them when they ride on the sidewalk, Hallquist said. Sometimes this creates a feeling of “I can’t go anywhere.”
Hallquist isn’t giving up, though, and has fully adapted her routine to cycling. At the workshop, she stowed a waterproof backpack full of clothes in a corner because she was on the way to the laundromat. She planned to put on the pack and ride off after the meeting, which Hallquist said was well worth the stop.
“Having an event like this is promising and exciting.”
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“Stoops to Conquer” , How did you miss that one?
I think it has been a sad tragedy that someone’s thoughtless acts, caused deaths in recent months and my prayers go out to their families and loved ones. I respect their rights as bicyclists, but as a responsible motorist, I also think they need to respect the rights of someone who drives a car AND the rules of the road. Too many times, I see bicyclists riding side-by-side in the bike lane, turn around as they hear a car approaching, not moving and continue riding side-by-side in the traffic. Too many times, I have seen bikers riding in the street, in front of cars (this has been in Winooski and on the way to the Islands) and not make any hand signals as they cut in front of cars. Often I have seen a group of bikers on their way to the Islands, pass each other with not even a glimpse as they enter into the traffic lane, so intent are they on their “racing” or times.
One particular incident, was a bicyclist who was speeding down the Winooski hill, whizzing past traffic in the early morning hours of going to work with ear phones on, not stopping for any lights or stop signs and weaving in and out of traffic. It was a miracle that he wasn’t hurt or that he didn’t cause an accident, although many motorists (myself included) had to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting him. I have always taken extra caution and given a wide berth, when possible, when I see bicyclists riding in the bike lane but I admit, not everyone does. Just as there are irresponsible drivers, there are irresponsible bicyclists. Hopefully, we can ALL work together to make everyone safe…
There should be a meeting like this every week. It’s ridiculous to suggest, I know.
Sad I missed this one…
I was carless for 5 years and had too many close calls on my bike. People yelling at me – no problem. Car mirrors hitting my handlebar and speeders – no thanks.
Visiting Montreal and using bike share is eye opening to possibilities. A dream, actually. I highly recommend it.
I love going on bike rides in Burlington for leisure. But when it is necessary to run errands or go to a show not so much. Burlington is decades away from that reality.
I opted out of bicycling after trying it over the course of several months. I’m not the anxious type – but felt like I was risking life and limb during the daily bicycle commute. I’ve ridden through about half of Winooski and through much of Burlington. Some of the worst parts I’ve experienced are the areas between the intersection area of Riverside Ave/South Winooski in Burlington along all the main roads (Willard, N/S. Winooski Ave, Battery Street, etc. to the South Burlington Line. The one exception is Pine Street, where I actually felt like my bicycle and I weren’t completely out of place and I can relax a bit.
Across Burlington bike lanes disappear into the ether and motorists don’t seem to understand, or be willing to care to interpret, the “sharrows” on streets without a bike lane. On Union street I see more cars in the bike lane than bikes. While the city places signs saying ‘Bike Lane Ends’ – their abrupt ending leaves cyclists with nowhere to go – suddenly dumping the bicyclist into unwelcoming traffic.
On the flip side – while the dangerous situation isn’t great – I can understand some of the frustration drivers feel. None of the traffic lights are timed properly to drive the speed limit. Cars should be able to go just under the speed limit and go through at least a few traffic lights. The reality is that, in most areas throughout the Greater Burlington area, you need to speed to make it through multiple lights – ask any professional delivery, courier or cab drivers. So while I wait more during my car/motorcycle commute than I go, it seems, at least I believe I’ll get to my destination in one piece.
Here here for safer streets for bikes and protected bike lanes in Burlington! Bikes are good for business, the environment and our health. Please act SOON so that we don’t lose out on momentum – there are many families like mine who want to live car-free but can’t because the streets aren’t safe for our kids. Many cars in Burlington break the law speeding and running lights at a higher rate than bicyclists do. More bikes on the street = safer streets!