BIKE LANE CHANGE - 17th ST Bridge - Atlantic Station

Submitted by jtackett on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 6:36pm.
in
17th & Spring looking towards Atlantic Station -See poorly removed bike lane markings, then bike lane "apprears" after crosswalk

All cyclists in the Atlantic Station Area

Be aware of the bike lane change / removal as you crossover the 17th St bridge leaving Atlantic Station toward Spring St and West Peachtree. Apparently the city or GaDOT have removed part of the bike lane as there is now 2 right turn lanes available for motorist to turn onto Spring.

The problem is that they did a poor job of removing the lane markers so you may think the lane still exists. And then they did not remove any of the lane markers going through the intersection itself. (See picture.)

I was not aware of the apparent bike lane removal as the old lane markers are still there and was struck as I was going straight through the intersection (which again, still has lane markers) by a driver turning right on the newly created right turn lane. My bike was totaled, I suffered a number of bumps and bruises, and was ticketed, as was the motorist, for failure to maintain my lane.

My guess was that because of the removal of the 14th St bridge, they city or GaDOT added the second turn lane because of the increased traffic.

Was anyone in the cycling community aware of this change before it was done, or is this yet another example of how cyclist are treated in Atlanta? Anyway, lets all be careful out there.

I have been traveling in the

Submitted by visitor on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 5:24pm.

I have been traveling in the 17th street bike lane for the past 3 months. I only noticed this morning that the bike lane markers had been blacked out (all of them)for the bike lane. For the past few weeks, I did notice how dangerous it was for me to merge into the bus lane and then the bike lane there at spring street because of the option to turn right of the lane buffering the bike lane and would obviously use caution when trying to go straight through the intersection. The DOT was out this morning, and I guess were finishing up taking the bike lane out although the bike lane merge sign was still up.

17th St. to Spring St.

Submitted by visitor on Sun, 08/17/2008 - 9:43am.

I regularly use the 17th St. viaduct through Atlantic Station two days a week on my bicycle. The sole reason I use it resulted from the closure of the 14th St. Bridge. On those two mornings, I bike from Arts Center Station to my office on W. 14th St. using Atlantic Station detour. Prior to choosing 17th St., I was using 10th St through Ga. Tech and Home Park. This route was far too dangerous for a bicycle, even at 6 a.m. when I'm making this trip. At that time of day, 17th St. is nearly lifeless, and is safe for bicycling.

I've noted the lane changes and the confusion. I assumed that the accident that occurred to you could occur to me, so I use special caution when signaling my lane change to safely effect my turn right onto Spring St. I have been fortunate, so far, that drivers are respecting and recognizing my hand signals.

There are other perils in using 17th St. with a bicycle. If your wheels are able to accomodate puncture-resistant innertubes, add them. Because of the construction projects on either side of 17th St., from State Street to Spring St., there are hundreds of nails and sharp screws in the bus and bike lanes. Some of these nails are whopper-sized. Beware!

I saw this

Submitted by visitor on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 12:00pm.

I saw this a week or so ago and was wondering the exact same thing. Why is there a bike lane between two right turn lanes? It would be VERY confusing for any biker.

17th St Bridge issue On FOX 5 News

Submitted by visitor on Fri, 08/01/2008 - 8:40pm.

Earlier today (Friday August 1), Rebecca and I were interviewed by Doug Evans of Fox 5 news in Atlanta about the situation at the 17th St. bridge. Here is the link to the story on the web; http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=7117416&ve...

While I am glad that the DOT is going to fix the issue, it cost me a trip to the hospital, my bike and date in court. I am contemplating legal action to recover my bills and bike replacement. Anyone know of a good cycling attorney?

But what may be more upsetting is that the DOT is going to remove the lane completely so now cyclist have no lanes at all on that part of the 17th St bridge. That bridge was designed with alternative transportation in mind (bike, bus and trolley lanes) and now they are changing things without input from the community.

And then to hear that the new 14th St bridge will have no lanes for bikes either. What is it going to take to get the DOT to realize that not everyone uses a car to get around. They are the Department of Transportation, not the Department of Motor Vehicles. HEY DOT!! Transportation does include bikes!!

Horrible

Submitted by visitor on Mon, 07/28/2008 - 8:16pm.

Absolutely the bicycle lane appears to still be there - I've been riding through it just the past few weeks. I had no idea why it felt so dangerous until I read this post.

This is equivalent to entrapment for bicyclists. Shame on the city for not thinking this change through before deciding to re-paint a mess of lines.