Dangerous Bicycle Scenario

[xuth.livejournal.com]

I just ran into (almost literally) a very dangerous bicycle scenario in Davis Square this evening.

I was parked at the (somerville provided) bike parking space between Dover and Day St on Holland/Elm St. I got onto Holland/Elm St and rode southeast through the square right in front of a car on Day St with a green light. The problem is that from my vantage point, I have no stop light or stop sign (they are all behind me where Holland crosses Dover) and from this vantage point, Day St intersecting with Elm St is a completely separate intersection from Holland St intersecting with Dover St. But the traffic signals treat it as one intersection. Without knowing all the details of this intersection (which I should, I just have never dealt with this scenario before), I have no reason to think that I should be concerned about traffic coming from Day St. There really needs to be an additional Holland street light at the corner of Day St.

Comments

The solution: another traffic light

[turil.livejournal.com]

You're absolutely right! While it is obviously an unusual scenario, it's certainly one that the traffic engineers should be aware of and take precautions to avoid it happening again. It may seem a little wasteful to put a second traffic light there, it's pretty clear that there should be one, for any kind of traffic (not just bikes) that stops or slows way down in that space.

I'd suggest contacting Traffic and Parking and CC your comment to Rebeka Gerwitz (sp?) the Alderperson for Davis Square.

contacting T&P and Rebekah Gewirtz

[xuth.livejournal.com]

I'd suggest contacting Traffic and Parking and CC your comment to Rebeka Gerwitz (sp?) the Alderperson for Davis Square

I have just done exactly that. And prior to this I emailed the Somerville Bike Committee.

Re: The solution: another traffic light

[kglue.livejournal.com]

Another traffic light would probably complicate matters for drivers heading on Holland Ave. into the Square.

(1) To avoid the situation of too many cars getting stuck between the two intersections, there would likely be a delayed red on the new set of lights - this typically encourages drivers to run the light at Holland/Dover when it turns red, which probably isn't good for public safety either.

(2) Also, drivers often will focus on the more distant set of light and end up not registering that the Holland/Dover light comes first. Pedestrians beware.

Re: The solution: another traffic light

[turil.livejournal.com]

I see your point, but I'm not sure that it would really be a problem, and maybe it could even be mounted in a way that Holland traffic couldn't see it until after they passed the Someday?

Re: The solution: another traffic light

[xuth.livejournal.com]

Also, drivers often will focus on the more distant set of light and end up not registering that the Holland/Dover light comes first.

As opposed to the College Ave entrance to Davis Sq?

Re: The solution: another traffic light

[komos.livejournal.com]

Actually, that's a pretty fair example. I've seen far more people sail through that first light on College than I've seen cyclists mess up the Day Street crossing.