How Do Edina's New Green Bike Lanes Work?
Confused by the green paint on Valley View Road and at the Metro Boulevard/70th Street interchange? Learn how they're designed to function.
By now, most Edina drivers—and bicyclists—have probably noticed the bright green lanes dotting Valley View Road between Wooddale and Oaklawn avenues and at the intersection of Metro Boulevard and 70th Street.
What might not be so clear, however, is how everyone is supposed to best utilize those emerald swaths of roadway. Lucky for us, Edina Channel 16 put together a helpful video
And for those of you either not able to or too busy to watch said video, here's a quick summary:
- The lanes are painted on streets that are simply too narrow for dedicated bike lanes, but traffic volumes are high.
- NO part of the roadway is exclusive to either morotists or bicyclists
- Motorists are free to drive on the green part of the roadway.
- Bicyclists are not required to ride within the confines of the green shared lanes.
- Cars are free to pass bicyclists in the green lane (provided they give three feet of space when doing so), so long as there is no oncoming traffic.
- If there is traffic, motorists should wait for a break in traffic to attempt passing bicyclists in the green shared lanes.
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CLR
7:57 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Makes no sense! They are a pretty Edina green though.
Mike B.
8:52 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
The green lanes make the adjacent crabgrass stand out even more!
Marty Mathis
9:23 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
What a great improvement. Nicely done Edina.
Mike B.
5:10 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Another ridiculous waste of taxpayer dollars!!! Each street in Edina seems to have its own traffic rules, thanks to the flat-out incompentence of the Edina City Council, which has no idea of common sense. At this rate, each driver will need a manual for each street's traffic rules. This is insanity!
I'd like to see each bike rider assessed a toll. If the bike riders want this nonsense painted on the streets, let them pay for it. I am a bike rider myself, but there is a certain minority of bike riders who think every blasted street in this city must accomodate them.
Joe
2:41 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
These markings only provide something to keep underemployed public works employees busy. Have you also noticed the dramatic increase in new street signs during the past year? Same reason. It's time to take a close look at Edina Public Works.
Mike B.
8:40 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Watch out even more! You can bet your bottom dollar that if Joni Bennett and her allies on the City Council get their touchy-feely "community" "Name the Neighborhood" nonsense rammed through, that Edina Public Works will be out in force putting up absurd this-and-that neighborhood street signs.