Bike lanes on S. Willamette: 'For 4 decades we haven't gotten to it'
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EUGENE, Ore. - Bike riders have to take their chances on the street or come barreling down the sidewalks on Willamette Street between 19th and 24th avenues.
City planners think it's time for another idea: bike lanes.
"We have a policy for multi-modal transportation, and this is something that's been in our plan since the '70s and for 4 decades we haven't gotten around to doing it," said Reed Dunbar, associate transportation planner.
Plans are for a bike lanes southbound and northbound in that 5 block stretch as part of a summer paving program.
That means more than 35 parking spots would have to go.
The chair of the Friendly Area Neighbors knows that will be controversial.
"Anything that we can do to help the businesses and to help the city to meet its mandate to the state, we'll support that," said Carlos Barrera.
Barrera thinks the bike lanes will fit, even past Civic Stadium where it's a little tight.
"But that probably will not be a major problem for bicyclists," he said. "Ii think that it probably will work to do that."
Another change will be the safety island on 20th that's kind of shaped like a pork chop. The chunk of concrete will be coming out when the paving begins. In its place will be what planners call "a pedestrian refuge."
The refuge "would allow them to cross half of the street and then dwell on that island and then cross the other half which they don't have now," Dunbar said.
Still, some neighbors have no use for the half million dollar project.
"We've never had traffic, we still don't have much traffic back up here," said Dick Griggs, who lives near Willamette Street, "but we will soon as they narrow the lanes. That's bad."
That section is already a troubled spot for cars and bikes alike. The road is uneven, there's improper drainage on the roads, which makes sections giant puddles, and the sidewalks are cracked and narrow. Right now it is a lose-lose for bicyclists on that stretch. Take the sidewalk and risk getting hit by a car going in or out of a driveway (as, most drivers are not expecting bicyclists traveling on sidewalks) or take the street and have drivers honk and cut you off because you're bottlenecking an already backed-up area of Willamette because you're sharing a driving lane. I'm in favor of widening the roads for a bike lane to be installed. What also needs to happen though is a way to mitigate the kerfuffle that happens at the Woodfield Station entrance on Willamette between 28th and 29th. Either propose a no-left-turn out of the parking lot on-to Willamette or designate a center lane for merging in and out of that shopping center. Cars are constantly holding up traffic and/or almost creating accidents by trying to turn in and out of that plaza.
I think it's about time to put gps's on all bikes and start charging them X amount per mile  to use our streets and to build new bike paths. Why do they get a free ride. I'am surpised at the way they disobey traffic laws run stop signs, red lights, ect. ect. that alot more arn't run over and killed heaven forbid.
 @native Anyone find it funny that that they want to tax electric cars because they are losing revenue at the pump, but no one has proposed a bike registry to help pay for all these special lanes?Â
@Twistthewrist @native ---never have i been a fan of taxation on bicyclists (because i am one), but i would entertain the notion of such a tax, if there were a registry AND a gps on bicycles. If such a registry & gps could cut bicycle thefts by just 20%, I would definitely submit to the tax (which would be an implicit one factored into the cost of the mandatory registry). Very controversial, but I have had so many bikes stolen in Eugene, that i might be willing to cut off my nose to spite my face just to keep more "horse thieves" out of my town.Â
One of the huge problems with Eugene, and actually the whole State is shortsightedness in favor of âwhat weâd really like reality to be ..."
In other words, no one really likes all the cars: traffic jams, pollution, etc, but the REALITY is that cars are here to stay, and more of them, so building fewer roads, and roads that are only going to accommodate the least amount of vehicles isnât a REALISTIC solution. (building two lane roads when you have room for four, etc). While I think that bike paths are great and think they have their place, to take vehicle lanes away from vehicles on a road that has been around since the 50âs and has NO MORE ROOM FOR ADJUSTMENT, is a terrible solution. So what if you have to navigate a side street to get to a business on Willamette, if there is more room for the bike lane there, or one already in place, donât make an already heavily travelled street worse by taking away part of it for bikers. After all, if it is a summer project, isnât it about the ride, and riding an extra side street shouldnât be that much of a hassle. (yes, I ride, too). And if you donât visit a business because you  have to travel a side street, well, maybe you  are the one to blame for itâs demise (if that happens) for having so weak an excuse NOT to.
This isnât California, where the weather is great for family bike riding all year around. (Yet I believe we have many more dedicated bike paths than they have..) We have actual seasons, and Winter and Spring, and often Fall bring lots of weather that wonât allow for that, unless you are REALLY into biking... (Just like making a âmallâ in downtown Eugene was a stupid idea, one that finally got modified what, thirty years later? Â OOPS, sorry, off topic, but I had to get that in...;-)Â
Repair the sidewalks, or whatever to make it safer for pedestrians, but donât continue that same old daydream that if you donât build roads, and/or make them smaller or more difficult to traverse, the cars will go away. Never going to happen, no matter how much we would like that perfect city where they donât exist.
 @angelgabe NOTE TO CITY PLANNERS, "There will always be more cars; they just won't all use Gas." I haven't heard the "peak oil" excuses lately, so I hope they understand this reality.
 @angelgabe Bicyclists have the advantage of being treated as either a pedestrian or a vehicle. Sadly this has created the mindset of "whatever, I'll do what I want," and not the responsible mindset of situational awareness. I ride a motorcycle almost year round and if I treated my bike riding like many of these cyclists do I wouldn't have survived my first year on 2 wheels. Fix the streets and start enforcing basic bike safety, you'll see a drastic reduction in car vs. bike incidents and maybe draw a little revenue from fines.
@Twistthewrist @angelgabe ---guilty as charged! i cheat and double dip as a pedestrian and vehicle, and don't wear a helmet, often forget my lamp at night, and ride drunk to decrease my chances of getting a DUII. Like too many people, govt. needs to force me to do what I know I should do...like wear a helmet, so an unwitting motorist does not get charged with involuntary manslaughter from my negligence and/or theirs.Â
Thank goodness!  I hope this happens.  It will be so much safer for cyclists, and there are many.  More will be encouraged to ride Willamette, which may actually be a boon to the businesses here in our neighborhood.  I know I personally go to great lengths to avoid Willamette on my bicycle now, even when walking as there is no easement between the sidewalks and pavement in this area.  @marcosrockwell Â
I have no problem with bike lanes. It would be nice if they didn't use the sidewalks or riding against traffic. I would just once like to see a police officer ticket those that do not properly use the "bike lanes"
@jojo ---Do it to Julia Big Brother, just don't do it to me.
We cyclists use Willamette street all the time and are forced to take the lane because it is much safer than riding on the sidewalk since it is dangerously cracked, uneven, and is not wide enough for cyclists and pedestrians. At least by taking the lane, cars can predict our movements and we have a legal right to a whole lane if we choose to use it. The bike lanes will benefit cyclists and cars, but bike lanes are most needed between 24th and 29th. until that happens, we sill continue to take our legal position on the street...and there are a LOT of us who do so.
Sure we can't keep our roads in decent condition, but lets go ahead and invest in pretty bike lanes that many riders won't even use.Â
More pork at a time when we just can't afford it. All right, whose wife or husband of a governor/mayor/representative/senator is getting the contract this time?
@OregonOrator Who appointed an Orator? That's what Commie's, Kings and Obama wants to be.
@Ah Shucks Off your meds again, I see.