Councilor Sharon Durkan is making moves to get cars off the road, by calling for the city to fine drivers who create a “dangerous environment” by blocking bike lanes, and ensure that pedestrians “are king” in Boston.
It shouldn’t be possible for cars to get into the bike lane in the first place. Car drivers will never obey the law of their own volition, you have to make them follow the law. The bike lane should be protected by heavy concrete bollards.
Some drivers will complain that heavy concrete bollards will lead to increased crashing. These are drivers who would have run over a cyclist if it weren’t for the bollards. When a driver crashes into the bollards, the bollards are doing their job of keeping people safe.
The issue begins when you need places that are accessible by vehicles from the road. Turns, driveways, space for emergency services, space for garbage trucks. People will take these spots illegally, so that’s where fines come in.
I’m totally on board with the bollards, they just can’t 100% protect the bike lane
We have a bunch of stainless steel or aluminum bollards in San Diego that have a simple key and lock system. Disable the lock and the whole bollard slides down into the pavement and allows essential vehicles through. It takes all of about 30 seconds of planning to not even really slow down the vehicles, and have the bollard back in place as soon as they are through.
It shouldn’t be possible for cars to get into the bike lane in the first place. Car drivers will never obey the law of their own volition, you have to make them follow the law. The bike lane should be protected by heavy concrete bollards.
Some drivers will complain that heavy concrete bollards will lead to increased crashing. These are drivers who would have run over a cyclist if it weren’t for the bollards. When a driver crashes into the bollards, the bollards are doing their job of keeping people safe.
The issue begins when you need places that are accessible by vehicles from the road. Turns, driveways, space for emergency services, space for garbage trucks. People will take these spots illegally, so that’s where fines come in.
I’m totally on board with the bollards, they just can’t 100% protect the bike lane
We have a bunch of stainless steel or aluminum bollards in San Diego that have a simple key and lock system. Disable the lock and the whole bollard slides down into the pavement and allows essential vehicles through. It takes all of about 30 seconds of planning to not even really slow down the vehicles, and have the bollard back in place as soon as they are through.
I have no clue what they cost though.