No more right turns off the Transit Mall
Posted by: MichelleFeb 17 2009, 6:09 pm
The Transit Mall in downtown Portland is slowly coming together. Auto parking was removed early from the left-side travel lane (at the BTA's request, to save bicyclists from crashing on the meandering tracks in the right lane). More traffic signs, bus stops and even training buses are appearing every day. In the next few months, trains will start running on 5th and 6th Aves. as well, with full service beginning in September.
It may seem like anything goes for autos, pedestrians and bicycles right now, but we must be very clear that there will be no right turns allowed off the Mall.
Why? you ask. Without MAX trains on the tracks it is hard to understand why this is such a big deal for bikes – on a green light, it seems pretty easy to make a wide right turn across the tracks or even, for more skilled bicyclists, to merge across the tracks and then turn right.
But the BTA knows that even skilled bicyclists fall down on tracks all the time. We know because people email us to tell us so, because our 2008 survey of 1,700 bicyclists returned about 1,000 crash stories (from Streetcar, freight and MAX tracks), and because, from our office on NW 5th Ave., we see it happening right outside our window a few times a week or more (sometimes to people on their way to meetings here, with us, which makes us feel terrible).
Making a narrow turn across tracks is already a little risky; with a MAX train coming up behind you, it's unspeakably worse. So don't take the chance, and don't tell yourself it's ok for you to do it because you know how to cross tracks safely. (About half of the reports we get from bicyclists who have fallen on tracks include something along the lines of "I always thought those people who fall on tracks just didn't know what they were doing! I know how to cross tracks. I've been biking for ten years. I don't know what happened.")
The good news is, it's pretty easy to do a two-step right turn. It will cost you hardly any time or trouble. With this technique you are simply crossing the tracks on a red light, not a green light. See the graphic below.
Just remember to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, and to be careful when merging back into traffic after your turn.
Good to see someone recognizes that we can do hook turns. For the sake of blocking cars and pedestrians, however, I normally just move in front of the closest lane of through traffic. They won't be turning right here, so it's not like I'll be blocking them. That way I don't block cars behind me or the pedestrians crossing the mall.
It seems to me a lot easier to just go past where you want to turn right by one block, take a left, and loop the block – it fits the flow of traffic better, you won't confuse the cars behind you by suddenly pulling off to the side of the road (you can't go on the sidewalk, so you're going to have cars pulling up beside you, and you have to somehow signal to them that you're trying to go across traffic), and will only take a couple minutes extra. That seems like a pretty decent alternative for most commuter-type folks.
The BTA, along with TriMet, PBOT and the Portland Police, went out there to try and establish a "prescribed" procedure, and ultimately decided that, while the important princples are 1) don't turn across the tracks on a green lights, 2) defer to pedestrians, and 3) merge carefully, people are smart and may figure out what's best on their own. Every intersection is different, too.
Thanks for the good article about an interesting little dilemma. I'll say that I'm a little uncomfortable about hanging out on the left side of the left lane (as pictured int he first graphic above) while cars in that lane are travelling by me. Personally, I'm more inclined to hop up that curb and then re-position myself in the far right lane of the road that travels from left to right.
On a somewhat related note, last week I watched an unfortunate fellow (with a shiny, fake steel bike helmet) crash on the MAX tracks on Yamhill and 6th. He got up, got back on the bike, and proceeded to head north on 6th–right down the middle of the new MAX tracks. Go figure. He used the helmet, but neglected to use his head. Contrast this against the careful consideration and planning that went into the discussion above, and I am grateful to live in a community that continues to give consideration to bike commuters. Thank you, BTA, for helping to make this happen.
Thank you, BTA, for looking out for bicyclists' safety in the redesign of the transit mall. Though my trips downtown are pleasure trips, not a regular commute, I can appreciate your efforts. I've been bike commuting for 34 years and have only had one crash due to crossing tracks BUT if there had been a train close by, I would've been a goner. That crash was a doozy, and I have a new appreciation for the care needed to avoid getting a tire caught in the tracks. Keep up the good work!
I agree with Dave (above) it seems far easier to go past and make the 2 lefts or make the 2 lefts prior your desired turn, rather than confusing cars,maxes, buses and pedestrians by making the specified "2-step right turn". It makes it safer and easier for everyone on the roadway when bycylist abide by one set of riding rules rather then in effect customizing them to fit how they want to ride. Besides if no right turn really means NO Right turn then there is less tempation to do one anyway.
Just my thoughts….