Bicycles and Light Rail

Ocklawaha · December 27, 2009, 11:20:32 PM

This just in from Phoenix, gives Jacksonville readers/viewers two things, 1. Note on this (Jefferson St.) in Phoenix, the LRT line is one-way and the left lane is reserved for BIKES or Driveway Access, a great idea for Jacksonvilles Streetcar Planners. 2. Note the speed with which the light rail/streetcar train takes off, anyone got a bus they want to race? I'm telling you THIS TRAIN will leave a bus in it's Ozone!

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What do you think Jacksonville?

OCKLAWAHA

CS Foltz · December 28, 2009, 07:14:58 AM

Forget it Ock.............way too progressive for Jacksonville! I mean isn't JTA trying to make some bus's look like rail cars? I would still like to find out just which JTA Leader came up with that one! That is pretty cotton picking quick no matter what it is!

Springfielder · December 28, 2009, 07:46:37 AM

I'd love to see Jacksonville come into the current century and have this!

heights unknown · December 28, 2009, 08:06:29 AM

That...looks really, really cool; a bicycle highway (that's what it looks like). They should have more of these throughout the U.S. and the world cause there are so many bike accidents because the riders ride on the shoulders of regular streets, highways, etc.; also wish they would have such a thing on the interstates so people can bicycle between cities, and continue these bike highways on the streets of the cities to certain destinations (primarily the downtowns at the central bus stations) in which after arrival, you could just put you bike on the bus, get on the bus, and go to your destination.

"HU"

tufsu1 · December 28, 2009, 08:08:35 AM

agreed...it is interesting to see how fast the LRT took off....and yet some on this site still seem to think that Florida's HSR could never work because the stations are too close together and it would take too long to get up to speed!

CS Foltz · December 28, 2009, 08:13:54 AM

I didn't say HSR would not work..........I say the proposed area is not long enough to allow it to show true performance............getting up to speed is not the issue, being able to stop is, along with stops planned already based on what I have seen! 61 miles long ain't squat................needs to be longer and not there!

thelakelander · December 28, 2009, 08:15:13 AM

Screw speed. I think it will struggle because it isn't designed to accommodate the people actually commuting everyday on I-4. With that in mind, imo it needs MORE stations.

CS Foltz · December 28, 2009, 12:45:06 PM

lake I agree..........but then it would defeat the purposed of HSR! Something along those lines in that area just does not seem realistic! It appears to be more of a sop to the mass's rather than something than actually can do the job.....which should be moving people from Point A to Point B and to C! It does not account for the people who actually use I-4 for a regular commute!

buckethead · December 28, 2009, 12:52:57 PM

Sorry if I'm going off topic here, but bikes travelling so close to LRT, (or any other traffic) in a large scale seems a bit dangerous and prone to liability issues.

Now back to HSR...

thelakelander · December 28, 2009, 01:32:52 PM

Its safer than riding in a bike lane on a street like Beach or Atlantic Boulevard.

If Jax were smart, bike lanes and multi-use paths would be constructed next to all BRT, commuter rail and streetcar corridors.

tufsu1 · December 28, 2009, 01:40:46 PM

I'm sure we can do that here...just select the right planning/engineering firms

buckethead · December 28, 2009, 02:01:04 PM

I like the physical barrier which separates the cyclists from the Railcars.

It is prettier without it, and I'm sure there are some statistics from other cities which could illustrate any real concerns regarding the regularity of bicycle/LRT incidents.

Clearly it makes logistical sense to allow close proximity for bikes, even to carry them on the streetcars.

Ocklawaha · December 28, 2009, 02:08:26 PM

Buckethead, I was more then a little concerned over the same issue, Phoenix looked a bit scary on a bike... Never mind the fact that the street is melting under your tires at 124 degrees. It reminds me of people who often try to walk the rails, not only dumb, but a SERIOUS violation of railroad safety rules. (IE: DON'T EVEN STEP ON A RAIL...EVER!) Why? How tall is the average man or woman? The other rail is just under 5 feet away, and waiting to either crack your skull or close line the next fool that falls.

Lake and I, tried in vain to stop the parks department from building the "S" rail trail like they did, it was a stupid move. We understood there was a use it or lose it grant, so they had to go with it when JTA first started meeting and listening to us about rail. We will have to go back and tear the whole thing out, rebuild it like the fenced photos Lake has posted, for Commuter or Light Rail.

OCKLAWAHA

Dog Walker · December 28, 2009, 04:38:03 PM

The big advantage of putting bike trails along LRT routes is that it cuts the number of driveways and intersections WAY down. No overtaking cars either and you can't ride a bike on ties so there is good traffic separation.

CS Foltz · December 28, 2009, 05:55:52 PM

Dog Walker.....I agree! Not only that, the area has been graded and that seperation fence is smart! Joe Goober, after 6 beers, would come to the conclusion ............."I can ride my motorsicle on them thar train traks!" I would not put it past one of those bozo's to make the attempt. After all there are Billy Bob's everywhere!