posted August 14, 2008
Dear Mayor Littlefield,
I am writing to you to ask that your consideration be given to the addition of bike lanes to the city of Chattanooga's streets and highways.
I am a bicycle commuter to work (UTC). Several major inroads to downtown (Amnicola, Broad Street, Access Road, and others) are very dangerous roads to commute into Chattanooga on, especially on a bicycle. I have already had an accident at the intersection of Powerhouse Drive and Amnicola (on March 31, 1998, driver cited with "failure to yield"). I frequently speak to other cyclist who would like to pedal to work, but fear Amnicola and other major avenues into the downtown area.
Although the Riverwalk would be an ideal location, it presents a problem for a cyclist due to the speed of road bicycles and the danger of striking a pedestrian. The other problem with the Riverwalk is that is does not offer a complete path from the north side of town (near HWY 153) into Chattanooga.
The purpose of this email is to propose the creation of bicycle lanes along major avenues in the city. The Riverpark entrance (north) near Chattanooga State could easily house a commuter parking area. This project could also have the added benefit of reducing congestion along Chattanooga's busiest roads by fostering carpooling in addition to bicycle commuting.
It is evident that you have made great strides toward making Chattanooga a progressive city. Other progressive cities already consider their cyclist and have lanes established. I realize that there would be cost involved, but perhaps there could be some federal funding sources to help this project along.
Chattanooga is a beautiful city with so much to offer. The addition of a lane on streets designated as a bike lane would make the city more accessible to bike riders and add so much to the quality of the city that we enjoy. Please give this consideration as we would so much enjoy riding in a lane designated for bikes.
I appreciate the great job you have done for Chattanooga and look forward to your reply.
Keep our citizens safe.
Luis Felipe León
* * *
I have a problem with the concept that bicycle riders have any right to an extra lane on public roads.
I would propose that if bicycle riders want privileges, that they take a test, get a license, get vehicle tags and join us in paying for the roads. Proof of insurance should be required as well.
Harry Presley
Pharry752@aol.com
* * *
Seems to me that most, if not all, bicyclists also own cars and therefore already pay taxes for their use of the road. In fact, if they are riding their bike, they aren't driving their car and are actually putting less wear and tear on the pavement, thereby making our roads last longer.
Lord knows, why would we want to make this town more bicycle friendly, anyway? All that would do is remove a few more cars, reduce pollution, get folks a bit more fit, and make this town a tad more enticing for businesses (i.e. Volkswagen) looking to relocate.
Wes Ellis
Hixson
* * *
The breakdown lane on Amnicola into town from Highway 153 is wide enough to supply a bicycle lane without additional pavement. The cost would be painting new lines or lanes. The breakdown lane would be narrowed, but a cyclist easily could maneuver around the rare instance of a vehicle occupying the emergency lane.
A cyclist lane across the C.B. Robinson Bridge would help a north of the river cyclist pedal to work.
As a city wanting to be recognized for being "green," the cost of helping reduce gasoline usage and promoting exercise should be encouraged. Cycling lanes down Corridor J would be awesome too.
Larry Harwood
Hixson
* * *
OK, let's look at things from Mr. Ellis' standpoint. First off Volkswagen doesn't make bicycles. They make automobiles and, besides, they are already here. That argument is null.
Secondly I have four vehicles and can only drive one at a time. They should let me fill the tank on all of them for the price of one? After all, I paid once. Same for my insurance, tags and titles. I should get these free on three of them. I can only drive one at a time. The other three aren't polluting because they are sitting and not burning gas, pounding the pavement nor creating emissions.
Mr. Harwood's observations are correct. All those routes he named would be perfect for bicycles. Other places, however, are not so great for riding bikes. Dayton Boulevard from Red Bank to Chattanooga and north of there, Hixson Pike especially the S Curve area. Dowlen Road, Old Dayton Pike north and Browntown Road, just to name a few places that are totally insane to ride. There is barely room for an automobile to pass another on these roads.
Yes, you may be well within your rights to ride these roads. When bicycles and autos clash, the auto operator gets a ticket and the bike rider gets a coffin. Your headstone can read, "But, I had the right of way."
By the way, It's called RiverWALK for a reason. Maybe for a few million you can get the city to build a
RiverRIDE.
F. Roper
Chattanooga
* * *
Mr. Leon, you must not visit the RiverWALK very often or you would know it 'already' poses a danger to pedestrians. A stroll along this pedestrian walkway has become a game of dodging. Th bike riders demand the right of way on the 'walk'. I've been a Riverwalk walker for many, many years but I have yet to see a bicycle leave the 'walk' to circle around a walker - on the contrary, the bike riders stubbornly stay on the sidewalk until an walker moves out of their way. This constant game of duck'n dodge has become so unpleasant that I seldom go there anymore. Including a bike path in the original planning of the Tennessee Riverpark would have pre-empted all of this discord, but it wasn't, and this is the result.
Personally, I find it annoying and dangerous to be stuck in the midst of cars stacked for a mile, bumper to bumper, on the narrow, sloping lanes of the S-Curves behind a meandering bike. It seems to me you already have your own lane.
And if the little lady on the scooter would just scoot over a little, we could pass. I've heard comments that her helmet must be equipped with blinders.
Worst of all is the guy on the weird cycle that has him lying flat on his back with his legs pedaling high in the air. This Barnum 'n Bailey act seems to appear out of nowhere, zips in and out and even crosses in front of cars, sometimes at frightening speeds.
I suppose some of our public streets and roads could accommodate an additional lane for bikes. If this should ever come to pass, you should be happy to pay for the construction and maintenance of your lane, just as we do....through licenses, registrations, tags, inspections, and insurance.
Bikes are a marvelous form of fun and exercise, but my own observance of the behaviors mentioned here has made me sadly aware of a lack of common courtesy among many bike riders.
I found the correlation between bicycles and Volkswagen puzzling. The last I heard, Volkswagen was very much in favor of automobiles.
S. Miller
Hixson
* * *
Our public roadways are for people, not just people in cars. Our sidewalks, bicycle facilities, streets and greenways are public resources that should be designed comprehensively to provide mobility options for all users: motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, freight, transit riders and users of different abilities. Let’s begin with the Tennessee Riverpark. This facility was funded to a large extent with federal transportation enhancement funds. Transportation Enhancements (TE) activities are federally funded, community-based projects that expand travel choices and enhance the transportation experience. TE projects must be one of 12 eligible activities and must relate to surface transportation. The Tennessee Riverpark does indeed serve as an important transportation corridor for pedestrians and bicyclists. Congestion is a valid concern which was the point of Mr. León, that is that a wider range of appropriate facilities are in fact needed.
In terms of funding in general, the Victoria Transport Policy Institute identified that “pedestrians and cyclists pay more than their fair share of roadway costs. Although most highway expenses are funded through motor vehicle user fees, local roads and traffic services are funded primarily through general taxes that residents pay regardless of their travel habits. Motor vehicle use also imposes a variety of external costs, including parking subsidies, congestion, uncompensated crash damages, and environmental impacts. Pedestrians and cyclists impose much less external costs, due to lower costs per mile, and because they tend to travel fewer miles per year. In general, people who drive less than average overpay their true share of transportation costs, while those who drive more than average underpay. As a result, pedestrians and bicyclists tend to subsidize motorists.”
The city’s efforts to provide mobility choices have indeed worked to make Chattanooga a more walkable and bikeable city, something which has garnered our community significant national recognition. These efforts improve our air quality, provide active transportation choices which can reduce our health costs, and work to attract visitors, new residents and businesses as well. More work is needed to encourage those who can to substitute walking or biking for motorized trips and to provide for those with limited choice.
Philip Pugliese
Bicycle Coordinator
Outdoor Chattanooga
ppugliese@outdoorchattanooga.com
* * *
I think everybody realizes VW is already here and they obviously don't make bicycles, but Mr. Ellis's point was that it's this kind of forward thinking (bike lanes, Bluff View Art District, Ross's Landing, Aquarium, North Shore, Tennessee Riverpark, etc) that will make this town desirable for MORE relocation, all other things being equal.
If memory serves me, our huge gas taxes are paying for a good portion of road upkeep, so if you have four vehicles or one, you only pay for the gas (and gas taxes) in whatever you are driving. Moreover, Red Bank, Chattanooga and Hamilton County probably do some of the upkeep on their local roads and streets with funds partially derived from both property and sales taxes. I bet bicyclists buy stuff and own homes or pay rent.
Yes, it's true, bicyclists never win in a car/bike accident, but I have yet to see a bicyclist on the S Curves, and I would think it's a very rare occurrence. Most bicyclists in this town seem to ride on the less traveled side roads, probably for that very reason. I sometimes see them on Dayton Boulevard and around various side streets, but, by and large, they already seem to be trying to keep off of our busiest roads.
By the way, if you research the Riverwalk, it's designated as a multi-use trail, suitable for walking, jogging, rollerblading and biking. It's one part of the Tennessee Riverpark System, along with Coolidge Park, Renaissance Park, Ross's Landing and the Walnut Street Bridge.
Also, since it's pointed out that bicyclists don't pay for vehicle title and registration, I would suggest Mr. Roper and Mr. Presley buy themselves a bike and take full advantage of this huge loophole.
R. Curry
Chattanooga
* * *
Being a resident of Signal Mountain, I hope that Chattanooga does increase the number of bike lanes. Anyone who is trying to get home at 5 p.m. on a Friday evening on the W Road and gets behind a spandex clad biker knows exactly what I am saying. Please, ride these things where intended. The W Road or Taft Highway up the mountain are 'not' safe for their usage.
Everything is too narrow, traffic flow to heavy, and the riders don't stop and let the buildup of traffic pass by. As everyone knows, Friday evening especially, people want to get home.
If you're training for an Ironman or something, more power to you, but ending up under the wheels of a car stops training, forever.
I know Signal is a great training ground, but it's not safe. Isn't there somewhere else you can go?
Also, I am retired, I don't travel the mountain every day, but it never fails, I see one every time I am out. SO I am not writing to rain on your parade, just find a better venue, maybe Mowbray, Elder, a less traveled road. US 127 is like the Indy 500 at 5 p.m. Friday. It would scare me to death just to attempt it because of the traffic.
Check around, you might find something more challenging and a lot less dangerous for you and those risking a head-on to miss you.
Mitch Thurmer
Signal Mountain
* * *
Perhaps Michaelangelo, the dude riding a bicycle up and down the W Road in his skinny nuthin's during rush hour, not the Renaissance era artist and sculptor, should be aware of the law as it relates to obstructing traffic on a roadway with limited passing opportunities. Section (4)(A) is probably most applicable in that instance.
TCA 55-8-123. Driving on roadways laned for traffic. — Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules, in addition to all others consistent herewith, shall apply:
(1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety;
(2) Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is signposted to give notice of such allocation;
(3) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such sign; and
(4) (A) Where passing is unsafe because of traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions, a slow-moving vehicle, including a passenger vehicle, behind which five or more vehicles are formed in line, shall turn or pull off the roadway wherever sufficient area exists to do so safely, in order to permit vehicles following it to proceed. As used in this subdivision (4), a slow-moving vehicle is one which is proceeding at a rate of speed which is 10 miles per hour or more below the lawful maximum speed for that particular roadway at that time.
(B) Any person failing to conform with the provisions of subdivision (4)(A) shall receive a warning citation on first offense and be liable for a fine of $20 on second offense, and fifty dollars $50 on third and subsequent offenses.
I'll bet dollars to doughnuts a couple of those 50 buck tickets would pucker some spandex.
Royce E. Burrage, Jr.
Royce@OfficiallyChapped.org
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