To the Editor:
I have to strongly agree with those who have argued against the bicycle lanes on Harrison Street and their lack of use, problematic/blind/awkward vehicle turns, and single-lane slower traffic (don’t get behind a vehicle going 15 or 20 miles per hour!).
But add Valley Road to the Harrison Street woes. Restriping to create bicycle lanes in both directions has led to vehicle lanes so narrow that the only way to pass a parked car or avoid an approaching bus or truck is to drive across the double yellow line, which of course, is illegal, or pull over and stop. And the Municipality’s parked cars near the Valley Road School require a long illegal crossing of the double yellow line. Again, I’ve never seen a bicycle rider in the dedicated lanes on Valley Road, and where do residents place their garden debris waiting for Municipal collection — in the bicycle lanes, of course.
Adding to the bicycle lane nonsense, try driving 20 miles per hour going west on Witherspoon Street after crossing Paul Robeson Place/Wiggins Street. As it’s generally downhill, you either have to ride your brakes for the entire length or simply exceed the new 20 mph speed limit. I’m sure there would be little or no difference reverting back to the original 25 mph limit.
It’s clear to me that those who created these “new rules” and spent our tax revenues executing them either don’t operate motorized vehicles or never considered the needs of the majority of our growing local population.