Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Problem With Fredericton Traffic Lights

      Next month, Fredericton is installing a bicycle-sensing traffic light at the York/Montgomery intersection, which is just one intersection. What about the other several hundred intersections? A few of the older intersections still use underground, metal detecting* activated lights which are completely hopeless to a cyclist since they require a minimum of half a tonne of metal to activate the lights. For instance the Cliffe/Union Street intersection still uses the underground sensors. You can see in the pavement a faint rectangle where the wires are located. The metal of the vehicle triggers the lights to change.


Note the black lines where the wires are located.
     Today's modern traffic lights use a motion sensor activated light. As the name suggest, when a car passes in its vision, it tells the light that there is a car waiting to cross. These lights are more efficient and accurate, but their sensitivity isn't strong enough to pick up cyclists or even motorbikes. Many new signalized and upgraded intersections in Fredericton have this type of light.

The black sensor on top of the light is aimed
 at the centre of the facing lane.
     It would easier for cyclists if bicycle actuated lights were implemented at the major intersections, but I think a simple button would be easier. For instance, this style of light is common on many Vancouver streets. For now, city cyclists will just have to hang behind a car or dismount and use the pedestrian lights.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Bicycle Laws

     Recently, I have been having issues with motorists passing me too close, not giving way, cutting me off or just being blatantly stupid. Included, is information for 'we the cyclists' of the road. I cannot stress more the importance of NOT cycling on the sidewalk. I saw a little girl almost get mowed down, and I do not want to think what could have happened. Here is a post from the provincial laws according to the June 2005 New Brunswick Driver's Handbook. 

     I must add the importance of vehicle drivers not to tailgate a cyclist. If a cyclists falls, they fall like a brick and stop dead in their tracks. A car would not be able to stop in time and would run over the cyclists. Please use common sense- it's not worth the risk of someone's life.

6.4 Drivers and Bicycles 
Riders of bicycles must obey the traffic rules and regulations that apply to all road users. Drivers must respect the bicyclist's right to share the road. 
Vehicle Drivers 
Bicyclists are at greater risk of death or injury- use extreme caution.
- Check your blind spot when turning left and especially when turning right.
- Bicyclists can dart in and out of traffic quickly, expect the unexpected.
- Give the bicyclist room, do not tailgate or crowd the bicyclist. 
Bicyclists 
You are at greater risk of death or injury in a collision.
- Let others know what you are going to do, use hand signals and be in the correct lane position.
- Check your blind spots.
- Avoid busy streets.
- Stay off sidewalks.
- Safe bicycling requires knowledge, skill and maturity.
- Keep your bicycle in good working order and properly equipped (i.e. horn, lights and reflectors and night). 
It is mandatory to wear an approved helmet when riding your bicycle.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Fredericton Buys Bike-Sensing Traffic Signal - CBC

Fredericton is investing $15,000 in a pilot project to see if a new type of traffic signal will reduce the amount of time cyclists are forced to wait at intersections.

Cyclists using Fredericton's bike lanes are often stuck waiting at red lights because bikes don't trigger traffic lights.

Coun. Bruce Grandy, the chairman of the city's transportation committee, said the unit will be on a pole and aimed along the bike lane.

"It detects your motion, much like a radar detector on a car when you're speeding or anything else," Grandy said.

"It detects when someone rides in on their bicycles and starts the activation of the timing of the lights."

Grandy said the initial $15,000 system will be installed at the intersection of Montgomery and York streets.

If the pilot project proves successful, the specialized traffic signals could be set up at other intersections next year. Similar traffic signals have been used in municipalities in Nova Scotia and Ontario.

Fredericton council awarded a contract to Fortran Traffic Systems for the Wavetronic 2 Approach Matrix digital radar detection system.

The contract is worth $14,649, plus HST. It is expected to take one day to install the new unit.


Saturday, August 20, 2011

Debris in Fredericton Bike Lanes

     I can handle the odd stick or puddle in the bike lanes, but it's a tad obstructive when there is lots of debris, pot holes, drain covers, rocks... or even fruit? I do have to admit that bike lanes are in far better condition then they were last year. Maybe it is due to the increased usage, keeping the clutter down. As always, there is always room for improvement. For instance, the street sweepers could go through the bike lanes once a month to help keep debris out of the bicycle lanes. York Street is the oldest bike lane in the city (2008), and it has been beaten up the last three years. It is likely the most heavily used bike lane in the entire city, so it is definitely important to keep it clear.

Rough section in front of the train station

A brave soul who dares to bike uphill for 2km

     I also have to ask, why do all of the bike lanes end before a major intersection? I understand the ideology is to force bicycle traffic to merge into to car traffic, but what happens during grid lock? Many bicycles take to the sidewalks or squeeze dangerously through cars. I think Fredericton should look into how Moncton deals with their bike lanes. I vote for a bicycle thru-fare! 


     This time it's me blocking the bike lane! I thought I would show off my 'new' bike in a typical bike lane on the North Side. 


     This is a rare occurrence, but there was apples all over this bike lane on Royal Road! Many have already been brushed to the side, but it can be dangerous to run over a round object with 1 1/4" tires. 


Sunday, August 14, 2011

Arguments Against Bike Lanes Are Absurd - Daily Gleaner


Cyclists ride in the bike lane across the Brooklyn Bridge during the evening commute in New York City. Improvements in biking infrastructure led to a 35 per cent increase in bicycle commuting in the centre of the city between 2007 and 2008.

Consider this: We have wide roads everywhere to accommodate cars, most of which carry only one person. On either side of many of those roads, we have pedestrian sidewalks. In most large urban areas, we also have bus lanes and transit systems such as subways and rapid transit.

When cyclists ride on roads, drivers often get annoyed. If they ride on sidewalks, pedestrians rightly get angry.

Human-powered transportation will only get more popular as gas prices rise and as the negative consequences of our car-centric culture increase. We should be doing everything we can to discourage single-occupant automobile use while encouraging public transit, pedestrian and pedal-powered movement.

In many North American cities, including Vancouver where I live, commuters scream bloody murder if it takes them an extra two minutes to get to their destination by car. The reality is that drivers are slowed more by increases in car traffic than by bike lanes.

According to the Globe and Mail, a study by Stantec Consulting Ltd. found that traffic delays because of bike lanes in Vancouver were mostly imagined. Drivers who were surveyed thought it took them five minutes longer to travel along a street with a new bike lane. But the study showed that it actually took from five seconds less to just a minute and 37 seconds more.

There's also the argument that slowing car traffic down is a good thing. In some European cities, planners are finding that making life more difficult for drivers while providing incentives for people to take transit, walk or cycle creates numerous benefits, from reducing pollution and smog-related health problems to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and making cities safer and friendlier.

In Zurich, Switzerland, planners have added traffic lights, including some that transit operators can change in their favour, increased the length of red lights and decreased the greens, slowed speed limits, reduced parking, and banned cars from many streets.

"Our goal is to reconquer public space for pedestrians, not to make it easy for drivers," chief traffic planner Andy Fellmann told the New York Times. He also noted that a person in a car takes up 115 cubic meters of urban space in Zurich while a pedestrian takes three.

In Vancouver, the Stantec study found that businesses along new downtown bike routes initially experienced minor decreases in sales, but that numerous strategies were available to overcome the declines.

In the long run, most cities that have improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure have seen benefits for area businesses.

Building bike lanes also creates jobs and other economic spin-offs, according to a study from the Political Economy Research Institute in Amherst, Massachusetts, titled "Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: A National Study of Employment Impacts."

Researchers found that "bicycling infrastructure creates the most jobs for a given level of spending." For every $1 million spent, cycling projects created an average of 11.4 jobs in the state where the project was located, pedestrian-only projects created about 10 jobs, and multi-use trails created about 9.6 jobs.

Infrastructure combining road construction with pedestrian and bicycle facilities created slightly fewer jobs for the same amount of spending, and road-only projects created the least, with a total of 7.8 jobs per $1 million.

One of the main reasons is that more of the money for road-building goes to materials and equipment, whereas with bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure more goes to wages and salaries.

It's important to note that European cities have matched disincentives to drive with improved public transit. After all, not everyone can get to their destination by walking or cycling.

But with fewer cars and reduced gridlock, those who must use automobiles - including service and emergency-response vehicles and taxis - have an easier time getting around.

Fortunately, the backlash against cycling infrastructure improvements appears to be subsiding. As oil becomes scarce and pollution and climate change increase, people are finally realizing that transporting a 90-kilogram person in two tonnes of metal just isn't sustainable, especially in urban areas.

Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation editorial and communications specialist Ian Hanington.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Redesigning Fredericton's Downtown Part II

     The following pictures are provided by NACTO, shared by one my faithful twitter followers. This is a continuation of my original post, Redesigning Fredericton's Downtown. You know, just to bring things into perspective. With some redesigning, planning and education of motorists and cyclists, this plan is quite feasible.




Thursday, August 11, 2011

Speed Limits

     I suppose it's the mentality of some cyclists, that the law doesn't apply to them. That gives us a bad rep! Did you know that there are speed limits on the Downtown Core trails? It is rather frustrating to maintain such a slow speed, but it's necessary due to higher traffic and more risk of hitting someone.



(I'm trying my best!)

     I also took a few pictures of some bike racks, too bad they're not getting more use out of them! Then again, this isn't Amsterdam... Have you ever tried cycling to work?



(I spotted a bike rack beside the art gallery!)


     I've also updated the bicycle parking map, it's pretty handy! Let me know if I've missed any spots, and I will add it to the map as soon as possible!

*Pictures taken on my phone, sorry for the low resolution :)

Fredericton Bixi Bikes?

     Fredericton’s downtown is not known for the immense amount of cyclists. Well, on the streets that is... Every Frederictonian knows the problem of sidewalk cyclists. Why is it such a problem? Could the by-law officers do a better job? It doesn’t help that we’re also lacking infrastructure downtown. The only routes remotely close are The Green and Church Street. With the lack of cyclists on streets, could this be increased by a bike share program like Bixi? In order for this system to work, Fredericton must first invest in infrastructure on downtown streets.
     Currently, there are four cities in Canada that have a Bixi Bike Program: Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa/Gatineau and London. Could Fredericton benefit from this program? I think yes! Even though our population is off by a couple million compared to Canada’s major urban centres, it has the potential to be successful. Could we convince citizens, tourists or businessmen/women to rent out a bike instead of renting an expensive SUV? A program like this would be great for people who: cannot afford to buy a bicycle, use one a few times a year or are commuters. Do you think it's feasible? Watch an instructional video below on how the system works.


   We all know about the problem of hills in our fair city. Yes, they look fantastic anaesthetically, but they are a nightmare to any cyclist- except downhill! That's why I think to anyone using a Bixi Bike should have free access to transit. So instead of cycling up York Street and getting all hot and sweaty for a meeting or work; rent a bike from downtown, hop on a bus and bike to your destination uptown! 
     It is such a great possibility, and it would only upset the motorists who have never sat their backsides on a bicycle their entire life. What do you think?

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

If You Drive a Car...

     Air conditioners make cars bearable in the heat of summer, but they are HUGE energy users, increasing a vehicle's fuel consumption by 20%. That means a vehicle that normally goes 800 kilometres on a tank of fuel will only go about 675 kilometres with the air conditioner on - and many of us have it on by default all summer.
     The best solution is to just turn your AC off. When driving 60 KMH or less, roll down your window and enjoy a bit of fresh air. (Wise dogs have known the pure joy of fresh air for years.) At speeds above 60 KMH, keep a comfortable airflow moving by using the fan to bring in fresh air and keeping a window or sunroof open just a crack to let it out.
     On really hot days when that's not enough, alternate the AC on and off to get just the amount of cooling you need. Just remember: it costs you every time you turn it on.

Brought to you by Carl Duivenvoorden

Though, not that you need an air conditioner now that the cool weather is back again?

Monday, August 08, 2011

Vélo Québec


     This is a wonderful commercial, brought to you by Vélo Québec. For as long as cars exist, there will always be conflicts with bicycles. Essentially, the video states "They get along so well in our garages, why not on our streets?". This goes to show how many light years ahead Québec is in terms of bicycle culture compared to New Brunswick.
     I grew up in a small town where driving everywhere was "essential". The grocery store was 5km away. Friend's house, 11km. The nearest shopping centre, 30km. The nearest city was 140km! Drive, drive, drive. I was successfully brainwashed to believe that I would need a car once I turned 16. Where I grew up, there was no transit, trains or public airport, but there was the once a day bus. That is partly why everyone in my small town drove everywhere. The reasoning was due to convenience. Why is it in North America we are lead to believe that we must drive everywhere? That probably is one of the reasons why 1/3 of North America is overweight...
     When I finally moved to Fredericton, I realized is was more feasible to walk, bike or take transit to where I needed to go. In cities, it is much easier to get around due to public transportation and being more dense. My mentality began to change on my dependancy on a car. Why drive to the corner store when it was only a few blocks away? Why spend my savings on gas just to get around in the city? Granted, I am still young and don't plan on having a family any time soon, but my plan remains to never own a car.
     I challenge you, instead of driving the few kilometres to the store or friend's house, ride your bike. Imagine if everyone in Fredericton did that!

Saturday, August 06, 2011

Traffic Lights

     If you're brave enough to cycle in traffic in Fredericton, you probably notice the situation with traffic lights. You're waiting at the stop line for a green light, and you find yourself waiting for the light to change- a light that never changes. About 85% of traffic lights in this city are equipped with motion sensor activated lights. For those of you that do not understand- when a car passes in the motion sensor's vision, it flicks a switch telling Mr. Red-Light that there is a car waiting to proceed through the intersection. If you're a cyclist, you know it's impossible for the traffic lights to "see" you. The other 15% of lights are on 30 second or more cycles, meaning green light for 30 seconds in one direction and vice versa.
Copenhagen Bike Traffic Lights     How the flip are cyclists suppose to get through an intersection?! I think the motion sensitivity needs to be tweaked on the cameras to pick up cyclists, or maybe a special traffic light at major intersections? (Credit to Mikael for the picture.) I'm a little tired of doing a rain dance at an intersection for the light to sense me... Instead of dancing like a fool, I hang behind a car to do all the work for me.
     I'm sure every cyclist has encountered a motorist that misjudges the speed of a bicycle. For instance, this could mean a car passing a cyclist then turning right, cutting off the bicycle. This has happened to me a few times, and I definitely let the driver know. It's so tempting to lash out... Another situation is a car turning left, cutting off a bicycle coming in the other direction. These manoeuvres are extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, there isn't much a cyclist can do about it, other than to expect the unexpected.

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Understanding Fredericton’s Bike Lanes and Bike Routes

Bike Lanes and Bike RoutesAugust 3, 2011 - With additional bike routes and bike lanes being installed on Fredericton streets, it is important that the public understands the differences and signage associated with each.

Bike routes are identified by signage only, while bike lanes feature signage, as well as lines and symbols painted on the street. Depending on the street, parking may or may not be permitted in bike lanes.

First introduced in Fredericton in July 2008 as a result of recommendations from the City’s Trails/Bikeways Master Plan, there will be 45 kilometres of bike lanes and 39 kilometres of bike routes city-wide by the end of summer.

“Bike lanes and bike routes support cycling as a form of alternate transportation,” said Coun. Bruce Grandy, Chair of the City of Fredericton’s Transportation Committee. “Motorists need to be aware of cyclists and cyclists are reminded the rules of the road apply to them. Everyone needs to share the road.”

Bike routes are designated by signage only along a street. Such routes are typically installed along arterial and major collector streets, which have high traffic volumes or where the existing cross section cannot accommodate bike lanes. There are also bike routes on residential streets where the road is too narrow to allow for a bike lane. According to the City’s Master Plan, other than “bicycle route” and “share the road” signs, there are generally no other changes made to the roadway.

The Master Plan defines a bike lane as a facility located on the travelled portion of the street or roadway that is designed for one-way cyclist traffic. Bike lanes are defined on the road through pavement markings and signage. White lines help to delineate the location of the bike lane.

The outline of bicycle painted within the lane further identifies the space as a bike lane. The diamond in the lane means that the lane is reserved for bicycles only. Vehicle parking is not permitted. No parking signs are also posted along these stretches of bike lanes.

No diamond painted in the lane means that vehicle parking is permitted and cyclists should expect parked cars. This affects approximately 20 per cent of bike lanes in the city. Bike lane dimensions and signage are based on Transportation Association of Canada standards, allowing for consistency across the country.

“Restricting parking on both sides of residential streets is not practical,” said Coun. Grandy. “Having bike lanes where parking is prohibited and others where parking is allowed is a good compromise for neighbourhoods. When encountering a parked car, cyclists must be cautious and remember the rules of the road.”

The following is a list of where bicycle lanes will be installed this year: Brookside Drive from Main Street to Douglas Avenue; Forest Hill Road from Beaverbrook Street to Kimble Drive; Irvine Street from Noble to Gibson streets; Kimble Drive from Knowledge Park Drive to Wilsey Road; McEvoy Street from Noble Street to MacLaren Avenue; MacLaren Avenue from Cliffe to Gibson streets; Noble Street from MacEvoy to Irvine streets; Royal Road from Sunset Drive to the Royal Road School; Rookwood Avenue from Waggoners Lane to Woodstock Road; Sunset Drive from Main Street to Clements Drive (Route 105); Hanwell Road from Woodstock Road to Waggoners Lane; and Priestman Street from York Street to College Hill Road.

In 2009, bike lanes were installed along Goodine and Montgomery Street. Bike lanes were installed in the following areas in July 2008: Douglas Avenue from Maple to Brookside Drive: Crocket Street from Canada Street to Brown Boulevard; Brown Boulevard to Cliffe Street; and, York Street from Priestman Street to Aberdeen Street.

That same summer bike routes where established on Regent Street from the RCMP "J" Division to Priestman Street, proceeding along Priestman to Smythe Street, onto Parkside Drive and Greenfields Drive, and then following Prospect Street to Hanwell Road. A bike route was established along Maple Street from Douglas Avenue to St. Mary's Street, then down St. Mary's Street to Union Street.

For complete details on bike lanes and bike routes in Fredericton, visit www.fredericton.ca.

“While there are numerous bike routes and bike lanes in the city, cyclists will continue to travel along all city streets,” noted Coun. Grandy. "Motorists and cyclists are reminded to be on the lookout for each other and for pedestrians. Obey the rules of road and share the road safely."

Bike Lane Campaign

Bike Lanes
Bike lanes can be found on one side or both sides of the following streets:

  • Brookside Drive from Main Street to Douglas Avenue
  • Brown Boulevard to Cliffe Street
  • Crocket Street from Canada Street to Brown Boulevard
  • Douglas Avenue from Maple to Brookside Drive
  • Forest Hill Road from Beaverbrook Street to Kimble Drive
  • Goodine Street from Vanier Industrial Drive to Harland Court
  • Hanwell Road from Woodstock Road to Waggoners Lane
  • Irvine Street from Nobel to Gibson streets
  • Kimble Drive from Knowledge Park Drive to Wilsey Road
  • McEvoy Street from Noble Street to MacLaren Avenue
  • MacLaren Avenue from Cliffe to Gibson streets
  • Montgomery Street from York to Smythe streets
  • Noble Street from MacEvoy to Irvine streets
  • Priestman Street from York Street to College Hill Road
  • Royal Road from Sunset Drive to the Royal Road School
  • Rookwood Avenue from Waggoners Lane to Woodstock Road
  • Sunset Drive from Main Street to Clements Drive (Route 105)
  • York Street from Priestman Street to Aberdeen Street

Bike Routes
Bike routes can be found along sections of the following streets:
  • Barton Crescent
  • Bishop Drive
  • Bridge Street
  • Canterbury Drive
  • Church Street
  • Forest Acres Court
  • Fulton Avenue
  • Hanwell Road
  • Kings College Road
  • MacKnight Street
  • Maple Street 
  • Montgomery Street
  • Regent Street
  • Reynolds Street
  • Smythe Street
A PDF and printable map is viewable here.


Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Cycling Confusion - Daily Gleaner

Our attention today is on the fuss about bicycle lanes, parking in those lanes and other related matters. A week ago, Fredericton city traffic engineer Darren Charters announced the city will install another 23 kilometres of bicycle lanes this summer, and by October there will be 29 kilometres of bicycle routes.

The system is following a master plan for trails and bikeways recommended by a city-hired consultant. Charters said the rule citywide is to share the road with cyclists.

And that is how it should be.

Charters said the city was getting "great support from council, the public, and even the press on this." There appear, however, to be flaws in the system.

Mayor Brad Woodside voiced concern about parking on opposite sides of streets where there is a reserved bike lane, and Charters said there is confusion about the different types of bicycle lanes the city is installing.

There are actually three types of lanes. Some streets will be identified with signs as bicycle routes without markings on the pavement; others will be marked bicycle lanes with a white striped border that marks the width of the lane but parking may be permitted in those lanes; third is the reserved bicycle lanes where signs indicate no parking is permitted in those lanes.

It's no wonder bicyclists and motorists are confused.

Why is it necessary to have three types of lanes? Why is parking allowed within the lanes? Why is parking allowed across the street from lanes?

One letter writer to The Daily Gleaner said, "it is getting way too complicated to go for a bike ride" and another writer has major concerns that the bike lanes are too narrow, that they will give "some cyclists a false sense of security," and that "storm sewer grates and debris after storms usually share the same space as the cycle lanes."

The same letter writer says most Fredericton streets already have sidewalks on both sides, so he suggests in such cases that one side be designated for pedestrians and the other for cyclists and pedestrians.

Where that is possible, it may offer a sound solution.

We certainly support the bikers who have every right to cycle on the streets, and motorists need to be aware that bikers have those rights.

Motorists have had the roads largely to themselves for a long time. It might be difficult to adjust, but it is a present-day reality that is not going to disappear.

However, when the city makes driving a bicycle so complicated, it becomes a hazard.

We all know what happened to a cyclist from New York last September who was killed on Highway 7 near Petersville by a trucker. That man pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. It is a tragic case which netted the trucker two months in jail.

We don't want anything like that to happen in Fredericton or anywhere else.

We need a clear definition of bicycle lanes without the confusion, without the hazards and without the risks they place on both cyclists and motorists.

It's time to share the road and respect each other's rights to be there.

Monday, August 01, 2011

New Brunswick Day

     Ah, it is nice to finally have a holiday where you can have an entire day to yourself. I spent the afternoon having a picnic on The Green watching people do their thing. Whether it be going for a holiday stroll, cycling or pushing their kids in strollers. Then there's the sensation of the lush grass tickling your toes and the quiet rush of the river a few metres away. It seems everyone was out enjoy this beautiful summer day!



     There has been some debate between the cyclists, joggers and the casual strollers on whether to pave the trail that winds its way through The Green. I guess they came up with a compromise to pave up to the Carleton Street Pedway. Even if it is just a short distance from the Light House to the pedway, it's better than getting a punctured tire to massive rocks! Hopefully this encourages cyclists to use the pedway instead of running across a four lane highway.


     There are some rare things to see in Fredericton, like a deer running through the Provincial Legislature. Even more rare, is to see a bike rack full of bikes! It is always so heart warming to see so many people taking an alternative to visit a park, or just downtown in general. 


     What better day than to chose a provincial holiday to protest shale gas drilling (hydro fracking) in our lovely province. Literally thousands of people showed up to protest and it was such an awesome sight to see so many people that do not want this controversial drilling method in our province. I totally forgot this protest was happening, until I was cycling by on Queen Street that I saw people swamped the legislature lawn. Honestly, I would have picked a better day, since none of the politicians were in office... Please check out the New Brunswickers Concerned About Shale Gas facebook page, and make sure to like it!


     Also make sure to like my facebook page and follow me on twitter. I am currently working on a contest and updates will be posted via twitter and facebook!