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Nearly two years have passed since the dangers of the Cedar Street Bike Lane were described on this webpage. Since then, two events have not happened:
1 - NO CYCLISTS HAVE BEEN KILLED.
2 - DPWT HAS NOT FOUND ANY SENSE OF PRIDE.
 April 14, 2007 |
When this webpage was written, I was perplexed that DPWT had allowed such a dangerous bike lane to come into existance. The webpage was written a bit "tongue in cheek" in the belief that no professional transportation planners and engineers would allow such an obvious mistake to stand for long. I have misjudged DPWT.
DPWT has removed the bike lane symbol and the arrow from the pavement since 2005. But the bike lane itself remains, as do all of the "Except Bikes" signs beneath the one-way "DO NOT ENTER" signs. There is still no curb cut at the end of the bike lane to make using the sidewalk a reasonable option for cyclists to avoid riding in the street against one-way traffic. A recent email exchange with the DPWT Bikeways Coordinator indicates that DPWT has no plans to do more to correct this.
 July 30, 2005 |
The Department of Public Works and Transportation has found a way to resolve a design problem for a bikeway in Silver Spring - direct cyclists on-road against traffic down a one-way street.
DPWT has clearly signed Cedar Street at Wayne Avenue to direct cyclists into oncoming traffic. DPWT has posted "EXCEPT BIKES" signs below the three "DO NOT ENTER" signs where one-way Cedar Street exits onto Wayne Avenue. DPWT has also created a short bike lane there that ends abruptly where cyclists will turn into the oncoming traffic lane from a blind spot.
 Source: Silver Spring Bikeways Map, Montgomery County 2005. The complete map is available as a folding map and as an electronic file, from Montgomery County Commuter Services The Grove Street bike route in Silver Spring. DPWT directs southbound cyclists to ride against traffic on Cedar Street, shown here in the circle. |
The Silver Spring Master Plan calls for a bike route along Grove Street and Cedar Street. The Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board and other concerned groups were assured by DPWT that the Grove Street bike route would be completed with the reconstruction of adjacent Fenton Street, so that cyclists would have an alternative to Fenton Street. The Grove Street bike route is featured in the new Silver Spring bikeways map as the connector between the Metropolitan Branch Trail and the Silver Spring Green Trail, shown at right.
The DPWT Bikeways Coordinator recommended a counter-flow bike lane on the one-way block of Cedar Street. DPWT constructed this counter-flow bike lane and fulfilled their promise that the Grove Steet bike route would be complete when Fenton Street was rebuilt.
But then DPWT received complaints from adjacent homeowners, and held a meeting with them to discuss their concerns. Cyclists and the other interested parties were not invited to the meeting. Homeowners complained that they were inconvenienced by having to walk across the bike lane to reach cars parked in front of their property. DPWT, citing this public opposition, removed the counter-flow bike lane and signed Cedar Street for cyclists to enter against traffic. DPWT has declared a "trial" of wrong way riding on this bikeway.
This "trial" is now beginning its second year, with no indication that DPWT has any intention to clean up this mess. Fortunately no one has been hurt. Yet.
 July 30, 2005 Cedar Street traffic on a Saturday morning. Motorists often speed to beat the light. |
Cedar Street is a major exit route for a large east Silver Spring neighborhood, and traffic feeds into it from several side streets at its south end. Cyclists enter Cedar Street at the north end before they can see whether they will encounter oncoming traffic. If motorists entering the street see the light is green, they will often accelerate to reach the intersection while it is still green.
Cedar Street is wide enough to accomodate a full width traffic lane, a 5' wide counter-flow bike lane, and parking. The bike lane can be between the curb and the parking lane, to provide separation from the oncoming motor vehicles. While the bike lane would be next to parked cars, the danger of being "doored" would be minimal because parked cars face the cyclists for good "eye-to-eye" visibility. Parking activity is minimal because parking is restricted to local residents. There would be no loss of parking spaces. There is also sufficient right-of-way behind the curb to create a southbound off-road bike trail if an on-road counter flow bike lane is deemed undesirable.
This is not just about cyclist safety on Cedar Street. This is about whether DPWT feels obligated to design bikeways to meet safety standards.
 July 30, 2005 A cyclist wisely ignores what may be the "World's Shortest Bike Lane". The bike lane directs cyclists into a blind spot created whenever cars are parked near the corner. |
If you agree that this is unacceptible, please speak out before you find DPWT using similar exciting design solutions for a bikeway near you. You can email Bruce Johnston, Division Head, Division of Capital Development at dcd.construction@montgomerycountymd.gov Some questions you might wish to ask: