By Leo Wilson
At its Sept. 14 meeting, the Metro San Diego Community Development Corp. (MSDCDC) unanimously passed the following three motions regarding the SANDAG Uptown Regional Bike Corridor Project proposed for Bankers Hill/Park West and Five Points/Middletown:
(Photo courtesy of Leo Wilson)
Fourth and Fifth avenues: Bankers Hill/Park West:
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No space separators (Photos courtesy
of Leo Wilson)The MSDCDC unanimously voted to support the installation of a two-way, separated bicycle track on Fourth Avenue, between Elm and Upas streets in Bankers Hill. It would occupy the west side of Fourth Avenue, and be bordered on the west by the curb; and on the east by parallel parking. The remaining two traffic lanes of Fourth Avenue would be on the east side of the parallel parking.
The Fourth Avenue two-way bicycle track would be similar to two-way bicycle tracks installed throughout Seattle as part of the “Green Lane” project, which placed two-way bicycle tracks on many Seattle streets, including Second Avenue, Broadway and Northeast 66th. It should be noted the Seattle two-way bicycle tracks were installed on terrain that is as hilly, if not more so, than Bankers Hill.
Two-way bicycle tracks are also commonly used throughout Europe, and have been installed in U.S. cities including Austin, Texas; Portland and Eugene, Oregon; New York City, Indianapolis and Washington D.C., as well as Vancouver, Canada.
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The bike lane on Northeast 66th Street in Seattle The MSDCDC further unanimously supported the placement of angled parking on the west side of Fifth Avenue between Elm and Upas streets, where the former third traffic lane, and current painted bicycle lane, are located.
Washington Street: Five Points/Middletown:
- The MSDCDC unanimously voted to support the placement of a two-way, separated bicycle lane on Washington Street between San Diego Avenue in Five Points, up the Washington Street hill to Ibis Street bordering Mission Hills. The determination of whether the two-way bicycle track would be located on the south or north side of the Washington Street will be determined by further study.
—Leo Wilson is administrator of the Metro San Diego CDC.
