Hey all! This is my current research of transport routes that are around the city. I also want to know all of the existing rules and reguations that bikers have for using the trains. Let's each post and help one another. :)
Our Bike Plan should include education, enforcement, and encouragement elements along with engineering and planning work!
Demand-actuated systems consist of electrified wire loops buried in the pavement under the traffic lanes. The loops set up an electromagnetic field and are hooked to sending units. When a large mass of metal passes over the field, the sending unit alerts the controller (located in a box on one corner of the intersection), which changes the signal..
To detect bikes, use the right loop and make sure the amplifier is tuned properly
**We could use this system in our own to help navigate and keep traffic moving. bIKERS HAVE THEIR OWN TRAFFIC SIGNAL!
?What is the Best Barrier to keep cars off bike paths?
The best barrier is routine enforcement. While some communities install bollards, these are easy for bicyclists to miss (visually) and hit (physically). Tom Walsh, Traffic Engineer for Madison, Wisconsin, only uses bollards when there's a proven need. Otherwise, he doesn't use anything more than regulatory signs. If you do use bollards, make sure they're highly visible (reflective tape, overhead lighting, etc). If you need to get through with emergency vehicles, consider a hinged design for the post. Use the Caltrans approach to striping around them.
I Really Like this idea!! Diane Bishop reports that Eugene, Oregon, uses a different approach: they split the path entrance into two 5-foot one-way paths. In between the paths, they plant low bushes to discourage motorists; fire trucks and such can drive over these bushes in an emergency. The Ohio Department of Transportation's design guide has a good diagram to give you the idea.
A wide curb lane is an outside through lane that is wider than normal. "Normal" means 12 feet. By adding extra width to the curb lane, you make it easier for motorists and bicyclists to share the road. How much extra width is needed? According to a study done by the Maryland State Highway Administration, "Highway departments should promote increased lane widths within the normal construction program on closed section highways and bridges on which bicyclists are expected and permitted to 15.0 - 15.5 feet depending on traffic and bicycle volumes." This confirms the informal consensus we've found in the field: 15 feet is a good lane-sharing width, especially on urban roads with speeds under 45 mph."
How wide should a parking lane/bike lane be The AASHTO Guide1 says you need 13 feet (with an 8-foot parking lane) or 15 feet (with a 10-foot parking lane). Baltimore County did an experiment some years back in which they photographed a cyclist passing a parked car that had its door open. A vertical flag was placed at different distances from the curb; researchers noted that 13 feet was the minimum width in which a bicyclist could pass the car door without hitting the flag.
One interesting idea we've seen is to stripe a 15-foot curb lane with a rush hour parking prohibition. During rush hour, it acts as a wide curb lane. In off-peak hours, there's plenty of room for bikes to get by parked cars.
What's the best bike-safe drainage grate?
There are some options here. The one we particularly like these days is the "vane" design , which has curved bars perpendicular to the direction of travel. According to the Neenah Foundry catalog,1 "hydraulic tests prove the new Vane Grate will accept more water than any of the conventional grate styles under virtually all flow conditions." They also say that it "is being used in grate replacement programs in many cities throughout the country, not only because of its storm water capacity but also for its bicycle-safe qualities."
Sites of routes and + & - thoughts on bike lanes
Seperate car W room for a tandom!
The bike car on the DB train from Passau to Munich. Note the bike symbol on the side of
the car. |
great view of the routes downtown:)
The Pros and Cons of biking lanes.
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Lets explore the ways people currently commute into the city. The CTA is set up to bring people from diffrent parts of the city into downtown and vica versa. OK. So thats what we need. *IDEA* How about lets have the traveling pathways correlate with the CTA rail system. We could modify the current elevated track to have a bike pathway running underneith it.
Thinking about subways... Could the underground pathways that run underneith the city be put into use? I heard that the pathways were bought by an energy company but they only use a part of the track. I will find a map and more info.
Is there a way of generating wind power to run the air flow for tunnels by the current trains. Water pressure? Also re-use of energy sources would be wonderful. Looking into it!
The Vision of the High Line
Friends of the High Line located in Manhatten, believes the historic High Line rail structure offers New Yorkers the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind recreational amenity: a grand, public promenade that can be enjoyed by all residents and visitors in New York City! That is what an evelated Biking path over the cta railways will give to Chicago!!
Here is the current idea for green travel. Most of the CTA runs along the highways so why would a gas/electric free alternative on the same path be bad?
Random thoughts and Inspirations
There was an artical that mentioned used bikes that are being fixed up for the area of the world they are being shipped to. I thought it was one step up from the Working Bike program and really Cool!:)
This is an Ottawa based bike center Co-Op that re-cycles bikes but ALSO has a 5 dollar rental space in the shop for YOU to work on your own bike! Great For People to learn !! and there is a machanic on hand if you need help. Kinda like McDonalds bike center but Cheaper! re-cycles.ca
This is a picture of current train station bike lockers in Oregon &
Trouble with Transport of things:(
Bike Paths OF Intrest!
Note use of color!
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Study OF Iconography
in Germany 
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