-> Side impact- and turn-related crash rates are lowest at intersections where average lane widths are between 10 and 10.5 feet, according to a study (Narrower Lanes, Safer Streets: https://bit.ly/1Iq1G8H) presented at the Canadian Institute of Transportation’s annual meeting last month. This challenges the long-held, but often disputed, assumption that wider lanes are safer. Crash rates were highest where average lane widths at the approaches were narrower than 10 feet or wider than 10.5 feet. Intersection approaches with 10-foot lanes also carried the highest traffic volumes. Bicycle and pedestrian volumes generally increased as lanes became narrower.
Narrower lane widths (10 to 11 feet) are sanctioned in national policies outlined by AASHTO, particularly for urban areas, but the official standards in many states prohibit them. According to a 2010 study published in the ITE Journal, six states require a minimum of 12-foot lanes and another 24 states require 11-foot lanes. The author of this most recent study notes that lane width guidelines, in particular, were established well before we had reliable crash and safety data. https://bit.ly/1fG3XFX
from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.
Baltimore Bike Share
The Baltimore Bike Share web site is up!
From the web site:
How it works
Enjoy your city! Baltimore Bike Share sets you free to explore Baltimore on two wheels.
Baltimore Bike Share is public transportation on your schedule. Grab a bike, go for a ride, give it back. You can pay for Bike Share by the month or by the trip, similar to MTA.
1 JOIN
Become a Pass holder and use Bike Share at your convenience.
2 CHECKOUT
Walk to a station, choose your bike, and unlock it with your pass or the Baltimore Bike Share App.
3 RIDE
Ride around the City in style.
4 RETURN
Return the bike to any Baltimore Bike Share station.