Crosswalks at two proposed roundabouts could be heaven for pedestrians, but hell for cyclists. At a consultation last week, city representatives touted the benefits of the planned roundabouts at the intersection of North Park Street with Cogswell and Cunard Streets, including crosswalks they say will decrease motorist-pedestrian collisions.
Pedestrians negotiating the Cogswell intersection, for instance, currently face a minimum of 28 metres of exposure to cars as they cross, while the proposed roundabout would decrease that exposure to 13 metres, resulting in a shorter, safer route across.
The crosswalks pose a problem to cyclists, however, and could frustrate their ability to commute between the north and south ends. HRM representatives told the 45 people in attendance that cyclists would have the option to either merge with traffic in the roundabout or use the crosswalks.
That’s not quite right. According to provincial law, cyclists must dismount at crosswalks and walk their bikes.
Councillor Jennifer Watts says the active transportation advisory committee plans to ask the province for a pass on the two roundabouts. If approved, the crosswalks would have “elephant feet” markings to indicate cyclists are allowed to ride across. But it’s not clear whether the province would approve such markings before the roundabouts are finished. Watts points out it took well over a year for the province to approve a single sign at Quinpool Road and Vernon Street that allows cyclists to ride straight through the intersection from Vernon.
The Halifax Cycling Coalition has been pushing for shared crosswalks as well as wider shared access trails for the new roundabouts. Asphalt shared access trails for cyclists and pedestrians come close to circling the roundabouts, but some sections aren’t quite wide enough for pedestrians and cyclists to comfortably share, HCC co-chair Ben Wedge says.
Shared access trails would continue on North Park between the Cogswell and Cunard roundabouts, city proposals show. Asphalt ramps with bicycle logos would connect the shared trails with the road. The city says there will be room on North Park for bike lanes, but Wedge says with shared trails, the lanes won’t be necessary.
Squared corners for roads leading into the roundabout are also on Wedge’s wish list. City plans show rounded corners that encourage motorists to maintain speed of 30-to-40 km/h in the roundabout, but squared corners could slow them to 20-to-30 km/h Wedge says, potentially making them safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
Motorists will benefit from not necessarily having to stop in the roundabouts, the city says, making the designs easier for everyone.
Cary Vollick drove through the Cogswell intersection Thursday, as he does everyday on his way to work. The landscape architect was concerned the shape of the roundabout and green space might encourage pedestrians to walk wherever they want. It’s important to look at the desire lines of where people walk already rather than simply asking them, he said.
The city will hold a final public information session in March. Construction could begin at the Cunard intersection this spring, pending Council budget approval, and is scheduled to start at Cogswell the following spring.+
This article appears in Feb 13-19, 2014.
With bicycle crossing design so cyclist speed gets constrained by a sharp angle before entry, then the cyclist gets the same safety benefit walkers do at single laners, up to a 90% reduction in the injury rate versus signals/signs. Not allowing cyclist to move onto shared space with walkers (or even a separate pathway) and the crossings–giving the bicyclist no choice but to take the vehicle travelway–leads to higher crash rates and those with less skilled, the old, the young most at risk.
On busier streets today protected bike lanes–cycle track–are being paired with “pathed” roundabouts to usher in a new era of bicycling which caters with safety regardless of age, ability, gender or skill. Yes, we can all become Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
Tony Redington Blog: TonyRVTblogspot.co
As a cyclist I much prefer roundabouts because they make left turns a lot safer. (Note that I don’t cycle on sidewalks, that you’re not supposed to cycle on sidewalks, and so don’t cross roads at crosswalks).
Been to the sessions; and found that this is a well thought-out and properly reviewed solution. The current intersection is in terrible shape, so well done to all involved!