Bryan,

Given the number of students and professionals living in the West Run valley and west of it and that 10-foot lanes are too narrow for a motor vehicle and bicycle to safely travel side-by-side within the lane, R4-11 Bicycles May Use Full Lane signs and shared lane markings would be appropriate and justified for Stewartstown Rd. and Stewart St.  

Frank

Begin forwarded message:

From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl@gmail.com>
Date: November 15, 2013 4:19:35 PM EST
To: Bryan L Radabaugh <Bryan.L.Radabaugh@wv.gov>
Cc: "bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com Board" <bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com>, Fouad N Shoukry <fouad.n.shoukry@wv.gov>
Subject: [Bikeboard] Fwd: Stewart / Stewartstown striping

Bryan,

Between West Run and 705, the sharpness of the curves on Stewartstown Rd. could counteract motorists' inclination to drive faster if the climbing lane were widened there.  Those curves, particularly the upper one are the worst segment of that road for motorists passing climbing bicyclists too closely.

Frank

Begin forwarded message:

From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl@gmail.com>
Date: November 15, 2013 4:06:58 PM EST
To: "Radabaugh, Bryan L" <Bryan.L.Radabaugh@wv.gov>
Subject: Re: Stewart / Stewartstown striping

Bryan,

I understand your concern and it is rational.  If the up and down lanes were the same width but the shoulder on the climbing side wider, at least white line riding cyclists would have a place to escape without going into the ditch when they are run off the road by motor vehicles.

Frank D. Gmeindl
LCI #1703
491 Wilson Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26501
304-376-0446
Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles

On Nov 15, 2013, at 2:03 PM, Radabaugh, Bryan L wrote:

Frank,
                My concern with implementing something like this in this particular area is that the narrow lane width on the downhill side will have the effect of traffic calming and will likely have the driver sensing a narrower path and they will intuitively slow down.  Providing a wider lane in the opposite direction with not provide the constricting effect and motorist in this direction will likely intuitively drive faster than expected.  I personally feel on this roadway we might be best to look at just striping for two 10’ lanes but am afraid that due to the amount of time that has passed already it may be too late to consider doing so.
 
Sorry I didn’t get to this quicker.
 
Bryan Radabaugh
 
From: Frank Gmeindl [mailto:fgmeindl@gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 8:41 AM
To: Damien Davis; Radabaugh, Bryan L; Shoukry, Fouad N
Cc: bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com Board
Subject: Stewart / Stewartstown striping
Importance: High
 
Damien, Bryan, Fouad,
 
What's the chances of striping the repaved Stewart St. and Stewartstown Rd. so the climbing side is wider than the descending side?  This could give cars more room to pass cyclists.  
 
I saw in this morning's Dominion Post that WVDOH is repaving these roads now.
 
Thanks for your consideration!

 

Frank D. Gmeindl
LCI #1703
491 Wilson Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26501
304-376-0446
Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles


 




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