Tuesday, June 18, 2013
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Is Anchorage Bicycle-Friendly?Municipality has a bike plan, but full implementation will be a long process.ANCHORAGE—It’s been more than a year since the municipality adopted a bike plan to foster a more bike-friendly community, but with federal funds slowed to a trickle, the project is far from being finished. Back in March of 2010, the city created the Anchorage Bicycle Plan in an effort to create more bike lanes to encourage people to get out on their bikes and share the road with drivers.
It's a project that will take several years to complete, said Anchorage Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander.
Ossiander said it's tough to create more bike lanes because the city was never built for a biking community.
"You've got houses built up, business built up, streets that have been there for a long time," she said. "So it takes some pretty expensive remodeling work."
The plan will also require some adjustment for drivers as well, because some of the lanes are not clearly marked, especially in the winter.
"I actually didn't even know this was a bike lane," said Michael Olson, a bicyclist referencing a lane in Midtown." Most people turn into it."
At the intersection of 15th and Cordova, drivers often use the bike lane to turn, despite signage indicating it’s only for bicyclists.
"Bicyclists really need to use caution, because just one motorist that's not paying attention could take a bicyclist very easy," said Anita Shell, an Anchorage Police Department spokesperson.
Ossiander said the city is trying to bring more awareness to the problem by installing more signs and educating the public about the new road rules.
Police say since the new bicycle lanes have been put in place, there haven't been any problems with drivers abusing the lanes. Drivers caught in the bicycle lane could be cited.
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John Weddleton said on Wednesday, Jul 27 at 6:59 PM
Cyclists on the street are not "arrogant." The road is usually the safest and fastest place to be. And adult cyclist motivated to get somewhere should not use the pathways and sidewalks. Those are for slower traffic and every curb cut is a significant danger for a cyclist. Smart, polite cyclists use the road and follow the rules of the road.
71404764Ricalow said on Friday, Jul 22 at 6:14 PM
If you watch for the people that are in the street on their bicycle they are usually pretty arrogant with an bike trail 5 feet away to be courteous they would rather ride in the street and make drivers mad
71156934olddg said on Friday, Jul 22 at 5:46 PM
I have been commuteing to and from work on a bike for 15 years. It is realy getting better. Winter bikeing is tough but worth it
71155991Tanya K said on Friday, Jul 22 at 3:22 PM
I used to live in Anchorage, but live in Germany now. We drive through the Netherlands a lot, and those folks know how to do bike lanes! The lanes are usually separated from vehicle traffic by vertical posts or at least a curb (usually red and white striped), and the bike traffic even has it's own turn in the rotation of the traffic light. Lots of European countries have already figured out how to make cars and bikes co-exist. I'm thinking you could probably convince a city official to take a "European vacation" to study the matter...
71151144p_ray said on Friday, Jul 22 at 2:45 PM
As a retired cyclist of 20 years who has just moved back home, Anchorage driver's have NO clue what to do or how to act around people on bike, pedal or other, motorist are to busy talking on phone's, texting, eating, putting on makeup(lady's), changing the radio or (my personal fave.) just seeing how close they can get with out actually hitting or killing the poor sole out on the bike. I don't know what APD is talking about with the bike lanes, the only resin they haven't seen anyone using them as turn lane's or parking spot's, is because they aren't looking. APD, should take everyone of the officers patrol and others and make them ride a bike around town for a month, (they can pick anyone they want)I bet people would start being a lot more attentive to what's actuality going on around, they might...just might actually pay attention to the rode and the world around them...not just their own little universe that they are all alone in.
71149914Shawn Klemmer jr said on Friday, Jul 22 at 1:52 PM
We do have some really nice bike trails here. But, if your travelling in mid-town. Well, it sucks!!! Police don't know what the rules are. And neither do the bicyclist. It can be really scary!!!
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