City runs a bike lane off the road
The bike ride to Lincoln Heights Shopping Center just got a little harder.
In a bid to improve access to the Rockwood Retirement Community, the city of Spokane has eliminated the bike lanes on a portion of one of Spokane’s longest designated bicycle routes. Erasing the bike lanes on Southeast Boulevard at 25th Avenue was necessary to install an island, said Scott Egger of the city’s Streets Department.
The change enables motorists to make the left-hand turn from 25th onto southbound Southeast Boulevard without having to turn directly into the southbound lane. Instead they can turn into a divided turning lane and wait to enter the main lane when the coast is clear.
Safer for drivers. More dangerous for bicyclists who must now share the road with large volumes of cars and trucks.
“I’m a bit disappointed,” said Tomas Lynch, chairman of the city’s Bicycle Advisory Board.
The group was given just three days to review the change.
“It’s the fastest I’ve ever seen the city operate,” Lynch said. “It’s the longest continuous bike route in Spokane that I’m aware of. Now there’s a quarter-mile of it missing at this point, and in the most congested area,” he added.
Lynch said he hopes that any future widening project on Southeast Boulevard would bring back the bike lanes. In the meantime, bike riders can still travel on Southeast Boulevard, said Egger. “Bicyclists have all the privileges of a car,” he said.
Tire pressure
Studded tire season is fast approaching in Washington state, but the Department of Transportation would prefer that you ignore it. They’re launching an all-out blitz this year to convince drivers to forgo studded tires in favor of other kinds of traction tires. The issue? The department is tired of having to fix highways damaged by the studs. You know what they’re talking about – all those ruts. The department’s campaign, “You’re in the Driver’s Seat. Know your tire options,” will be getting under way soon. If you remain unconvinced, studded tires are legal on Washington roads between Nov. 1 and March 31.
Fair warning
The Spokane Police Department’s traffic unit will be focusing its emphasis patrol this week on Rockwood Boulevard. Folks in the neighborhood have been complaining about speeders. Remember, unlike other Spokane neighborhoods, these residents were able to convince the city to reduce the speed limit on their arterial – Rockwood Boulevard – to 25 mph instead of the customary 30 mph. Keep a close eye on your speedometer. The police are also asking drivers to pay extra attention on Sunday, when all the Halloween trick-or-treaters will be out and about.
Slow going
Traffic will be detoured around Rowan Avenue just west of Lidgerwood from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday to make way for construction on a new office building. The detour will route traffic along Sanson. Parking along Sanson between Lidgerwood and Mayfair and on Mayfair between Sanson and Rowan will not be allowed on these days. Grind-and-patch repair work on Monroe Street from Central to Walton will take place this week between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting. Expect delays.