Cris posted this on Bike Lane Diary:
Here's a pic of the new blue bike lane installed on Strachan Ave. today. (sbnd at Lake Shore Blvd)
The blue is intended to highlight a conflict point where drivers merge across the bike lane to make a right turn. The City is currently testing the blue material for durability.
Let's get blue bike lanes everywhere - like the green ones in Brooklyn but funded and advertised on by the Toronto Maple Leafs!
I think it would work great as well on the Bloor Viaduct going eastbound where cars turn off to the DVP. The recent action on the viaduct was all too vulnerable: city staff took down the "Caution. Cyclists merging" signs posted by the activists.
Is it for real? We've just sent our crack team of cyclists down to investigate.
Comments
vic
Colourful bike lanes
Tue, 10/23/2007 - 11:35These aren't the first coloured bits of bike pavement in Toronto.
The Eglinton West bike path has red pavement over the intersections. Separates it from the sidewalk / crosswalks, and gives more visibility.
I'm curious to see this new blue lane. Seems to be an excellent idea for those conflict points.
Anonymous (not verified)
Is this a real pic?
Tue, 10/23/2007 - 12:20Looks like a Photoshop job or is it just me?
Anonymous (not verified)
sippery when wet
Tue, 10/23/2007 - 12:33photoshop or not, road paint when wet from rain or dew is very slippery.
Jurgen (not verified)
It looks good but I hope
Tue, 10/23/2007 - 13:28It looks good but I hope it's a joke. That is NOT going to be cycling friendly.
vic
Why not?
Tue, 10/23/2007 - 13:31Jurgen,
Why do you think it will not be cycling friendly?
darren
Portland and Montreal results
Tue, 10/23/2007 - 17:00According to the city of Portland Office of Transportation:
And, they apparently are NOT slippery.
-dj
Anonymous (not verified)
not slippery!
Wed, 10/24/2007 - 20:55ah, good. because that thick, raised, reflective paint (which is much better in the dark and in the rain than older paints) is terribly slippery when wet.
GMD (not verified)
Why blue?
Wed, 10/24/2007 - 06:26Anybody know why they chose blue? European bike paths tend to be red and there's already some use of red paving at Lakeshore and Leslie.
Anonymous (not verified)
Red means stop for everyone
Wed, 10/24/2007 - 06:52Red, green, or yellow should be avoided in my opinion - they are colours for stop, go or caution.
Yes, we want to stop cars from wandering into bike lanes but they are also for guiding cyclists.
Blue looks fine to me.
tt (not verified)
eg west red bike markings
Wed, 10/24/2007 - 18:32Hey Vic,
Can you get us some pics of those red markings and tell me where they are exactly?
much obliged,
tammy
vic
Red bike markings
Wed, 10/24/2007 - 22:46Hey Tammy,
Here's an example:
http://vic.gedris.org/pics/2007-05-09/MD-2007-05-09-032.html
and here:
http://vic.gedris.org/pics/2007-05-09/MD-2007-05-09-033.html
They're on the Eglinton bike path at all the road intersections. At least in the newer parts anyway. The "bike" sections of the crossings are red, and the pedestrian sections are white concrete. In theory, different uses would be separate, but it doesn't seem to work so much in practice. But at least it's more of a visual clue for motorists to be careful.
Oh..and at some of the few driveway crossings:
http://vic.gedris.org/pics/2007-05-09/MD-2007-05-09-030.html
-Vic
Gregory (not verified)
Durability
Tue, 10/30/2007 - 12:16I know they're testing the paint for durability, but it hasn't lasted too long. I ride over it every day on my way to work and I've seen it deteriorate significantly over the last week. In another couple weeks it will all be gone.
anthony
Bonding durability
Wed, 10/31/2007 - 01:19The blue product that was put down is different than paint, it 'bonds' whereas paints adhere.
Apperently, when preparing the blue product, there was some problem with the bonding agent. Staff at the city have already confirmed that the blue will be applied again at the same location, most likely in the spring. They are using this first attempt as a learning oppertunity.
I don't want to be hard on city staff about this, they are trying new things -- we want them to try! Some things will work great the first time. Others take a few tries to get right. It seem like this is one situations that didn't work the first time. Apperenlty the work crew that did was eperienced, and had done this before elsewhere. But it did not work here this time. They will be going back to the manufacturer of the product to get additional help.
While I will miss the blue, I am looking forward to it being reapplied and seeing what it's like to bike there once it is in place again.
jessica elgin (not verified)
chicago's colored bike lanes
Wed, 12/05/2007 - 14:00Chicago is currently experimenting with green bike lanes in 8 locations. The material is thermoplastic, and it is not slippery to ride over. Yes, I have ridden on them! (I do not know if Toronto is using the same material or not.) Apparently green was chosen because almost all of the other colors were already taken--even though Oregon used blue, technically it is not allowed because it is a designation for handicapped spots.
Here is an article about the colored bike lanes in Chicago and what cyclists think of them:
http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/out-there/21180/color-scheme
If these green bike lanes reduce motorist/cyclist conflicts in the 8 tests areas they will be expanded throughout the city.