Bike lane on Wells Avenue in Reno, Nevada.
Photo © Stan White
According to the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), the traffic management technique being used is called a road diet. Basically, it involves remarking existing streets to accommodate a variety of traffic. For example, a street with two traffic lanes in each direction is reconfigured with one traffic lane each way, a turn lane in the middle, and bike lanes on each side. If you drive around town much you have probably already seen this in action on sections of Arlington Avenue, California Street, Holcomb Avenue, and Mill Street. There are also shared lanes in places for both bicycles and cars.
To learn more about the concept and implementation of road diets, and how to safely negotiate these areas (for both cyclists and motorists), read the RTC Road Diets/Sharrows webpage. Even better, download the Road Diets, Sharrows, and Shared Roads brochure from the RTC website. If we all read and observe the new rules, the mean streets of Reno will be a better place for everyone.
If you would like to have a say in how this works out as time goes on, check out the in-progress RTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and enter your comments if so moved.
Source: Regional Transportation Commission.
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Comments
Love the road diet; it’s a solid concept. I ride around town and this will add some structure to the roadway for motorized and non-motorized traffic. But, fellow cyclists: please remember that the new bike lanes are for single-file riding — it is dangerous to ride two abreast and move into the car lanes. It will make drivers angry, and will ultimately our cause. Happy cycling!
Carolyn, thanks for the comment from a cyclist. Hopefully, the road diet idea will be implemented throughout the Truckee Meadows and more people will start peddling as it becomes safer and more practical to do so.