Fake bike lanes sparking debate in Austin
Thread started by
tortuga_veloce at 07.9.09 - 10:24 am
By SHELTON GREEN
KVUE News
The illegal practice of guerilla bike lane painting or painting bike lanes where there currently are none is a growing problem in Los Angeles. The issue is now getting national attention and sparking debate here in Austin.
The July issue of "Bicycle Magazine" features an article about a group of L.A. cyclists who are now going out painting bike lanes on roads where the city of L.A. has either refused to put them or is behind on bicycle infrastructure.
The topic is currently being discussed on local cycling blogs. One local cyclist, in fact, suggested that cyclists start doing the same thing here.
Employees with Austin's Public Works department are strongly discouraging people from creating their own bicycle lanes.
"We are a fragile program. We're small and it's hard for us to make the progress that we're already making and if we have to backtrack by taking out that type of action then that really hurts us time wise and funding wise," said Annick Beaudet with Austin Public Works.
Beaudet told KVUE that she didn't know of any guerilla bike lanes in Austin. However KVUE found a stretch of hand painted lanes in north Austin in the 7200 block of Arroyo Seco between Anderson and Koenig Lane.
The issue of guerilla bike lanes gets mixed reaction even within Austin's own cycling community.
"It sounds nice. An extra bike lane would be good but I mean, you know I almost get hit three or four times a day depending on where I bike to. I think this is a protective measure to protect bikers," says Ben Sabin, an Austin cyclist.
Thomas Vidal, another Austin cyclist disagrees.
"I don't support that because it's not their job to be doing that, it's the city's job. Obey the law, pretty much you know. They should just take other routes, take it to the courts, write their Governor a letter and whatnot," says Vidal.
Austin Public Works told KVUE that Austin is making great strides with bike lanes especially compared to Los Angeles.
Annick Beaudet says last year Austin built 10-miles of bicycle lanes. Thirty-five miles of bicycle lanes are planned for this year in Austin.
"If there was ever a time to trust public works department that we are making progress in those areas is now," says Beaudet.
This summer the city is planning to add bike lanes on Amhearst, Rosewood, East 11th and East 12th.
Austin Police say painting bike lanes without the city's consent is considered criminal mischief, a violation of the city's transportation code.
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It's just paint, not a force field. To quote the Reverend "Every lane is a bike lane."
There is a huge "bike lane" along PCH, yet there is no way in hell I would ride on that road. If anything it may give some people a false sense of security and they may let down there guard just being in a "bike lane." My definsive riding have saved my ass more times than I can count. Not to mention, how many times have you been in a bike lane and a driver flings open a door. Don't get me wrong Im not against the idea of bike lanes, but I don't feel the need to resort to guerilla bike lane painting, or even wasting public funding for more of them. I would rather new pavement! Pot holes are dangerous!... or even more public education for both riders and driver (see the MR Bicycle Safety) and better signage the poster in the works would be a better use of $$$.
Plus guerrilla bike lane painting is just going to piss of the city and defeat our overall goal.
2zRescue07.11.09 - 10:07 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
Austin Texas Rules. Lets go paint some bike lanes!