Fred Lazarus says lane might have "ripple effects" on car congestion and pedestrian safety.
B’ Spokes: The following are my comments on Mark Reutter’s article in the Baltimore Brew https://www.baltimorebrew.com/2012/02/17/mica-president-not-convinced-bike-lane-on-mt-royal-makes-sense/
First I’ll say if government gave guarantees that gas will remain under $3 gallon for the next ten years, I would throw my hands up and surrender to not inconveniencing cars in the slightest. But we have no such guarantee, in fact it looks like we will see over $4 a gallon* this summer and the result will be less car traffic and more bike traffic. (I could go into child obesity, air quality, quality of life, making Baltimore attractive for more people to live here and so on but this will do for now.)
Next, while I respect anyone to make comments on behalf of the organization they represent and on the subject how this will effect their members of that organization but to make a case that MICA’s mission is to be a on ramp for I-83 and MICA is THE expert on the subject is absurd. That would like giving me the final say on funding stem cell research, not that I don’t have an opinion but I am not an expert on this topic nor is it part of the issues of those I represent. The same goes for Mr. Lazarus, clearly he is grasping at straws to hide his anti-cycling bias.
Re: “What I need to be convinced of is that a bike lane would not impede the safety of pedestrians” – Fred Lazarus IV, president.
Really??? Baltimore City represents a whopping 32% of the states pedestrian crashes (with cars), over 5 years that’s 4,547 pedestrians hit by cars in Baltimore City** and he is concerned that calmer traffic will make that number worse? Again just more anti-cycling bias.
Conclusion: I am sick and tired of unfounded idle speculation killing bike lanes in this city. One third of New York City bike lanes took space from cars and there is no significant difference in New York City’s car traffic. New York City does metrics before and after installing controversial bike lanes and they can say these are the benefits and this is the down side we have measured (any change in the roadway will have pluses and minuses) but Baltimore City does no such thing, it is as if who can tell the most outlandish hyperbole wins. We have to put an end to this! Demand proof of outlandish claims. Where in the world have bike lanes impeded pedestrian safety? Where in the world has removal of a travel lane caused a "ripple effect"?
My compromise position: We need a one year study to give us some real numbers to talk about. Sure it might cost us dearly if the numbers do not pan out favorably and we will have to remove the bicycling facility but then we will have a better idea what works and what does not. This approach is preferable then letting any and all anti-cycling hyperbole win every time.
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* $4+ a gallon for gas: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2012/02/20/gas-prices-us.html
** MSHA Pedestrian Crash Summary: https://stko.maryland.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=q18ZFLd3XN4%3d&tabid=190&mid=1039oldId.20120221121837514