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| In a meeting, MIT planner Talitha Fabricius asserted
that wide curve radii would be provided at crosswalks that lead to the sidepaths. The
actual mid-block crosswalk that is now completed has tight turning radii, sharp curbs
which can sweep a bicyclist's wheels out from under, and artistic-looking sharp-cornered
posts to snag pedals. At the time the photo was taken, there was a sandwich sign
adjacent to the crosswalk, blocking sight lines. The layout of the crosswalk is nonstandard and has a somewhat "mad scientist" quality, with bicyclists instructed to travel on the left. This apparently reflects the intended one-way use of the crosswalks, in which bicyclists must travel away from their destinations at the beginning and near the end of their trips. Bicyclists turning around "right-way" to "right way" then avoid having to cross the paths of pedestrians, who are supposed to use the ladder-striped center lane of the crosswalks. But it is likely that use of the sidepaths and crosswalks will be much less orderly than the planners would like to imagine. Also, a bicyclist entering at the near side of the crosswalk is likely to appear by surprise, particularly as there is no stop line ahead of the bicycle crossing. The markings instruct the bicyclist to swerve out across the path of motor traffic from behind the driver's position. There's still snow in the crosswalk, too. |
The reality, February 20, 2004. Turning radius as marked:
zero.
Turning radius by cutting corner: 5 feet. Turning radius specified
in AASHTO Guide: 95 feet. Arrows point to curbs which can
snag bicycle tires. Posts are also a hazard. No stop line ahead
of the crosswalk marking.
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