I know there has been a lot of discussion about making protected bike lanes on Tulsa streets and wanted to share what Phoenix is doing about this topic. I realize that the streets are vastly different between Tulsa and Phoenix, but I wanted to share some info on what is going on here that might be applicable to Tulsa.
PHOENIX — Bicyclists in downtown Phoenix can now enjoy a new two-way protected bike lane, the city’s first such bicycle amenity.
The two-way protected bike lane recently opened on Third Avenue between Roosevelt Street and McDowell Road, the city announced in a press release.
The bike lane is physically separated from the street, which is a northbound-only road for vehicle traffic.
It is part of the Third and Fifth Avenues Improvement Project which aims to increase safety, improve corridor circulation and expand bicycle facilities in downtown Phoenix, according to the release.
https://ktar.com/story/4479645/first-two-way-protected-bike-lanes-open-in-downtown-phoenix/The route that is now open
https://goo.gl/maps/vYiG53xCMin6rmX27There is also a proposed route along Central Avenue to coincide with the repaving of the street.
PHOENIX – City planners are considering making significant changes to traffic flow on a prominent stretch of Central Avenue in Phoenix.
Under the proposal, the 2½ miles of roadway between Bethany Home Road and the Arizona Canal to the north would go from two lanes in each direction to one.
That would allow for the addition of a dedicated center turn lane and bike lanes in each direction.
Ashley Patton of Phoenix’s street transportation department told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday that the addition of a two-way left turn lane is linked to a 47% reduction in collisions.
“However, there could also be an increased delay for people driving, particularly during rush hour,” she said.
If the plan is approved, Central would be striped with the new configuration after scheduled paving treatment is completed.
“When we treat a road, it becomes a blank slate,” Patton said. “So our team uses that as a cost-effective opportunity to identify potential safety improvements by modifying the striping or the lanes that are painted on the street.”
The Bethany Home-Northern section will get paving treatment in this fall, and the stretch between Northern and the Arizona Canal will be done in the spring/summer of 2022.
If the proposal isn’t adopted, the street will be striped in the current manner after the paving treatment.
The city held a virtual public meeting on May 20 to explain the reason behind the plan and take questions from community members.
https://ktar.com/story/4470756/phoenix-considers-central-avenue-plan-to-add-bike-lanes-cut-vehicle-lanes/Proposed route
https://goo.gl/maps/wTu8tTxKmhcT5i3g7
