Residents of the Fairhaven neighborhood would like to see bicycle lanes along 12th Street in the near future, but current construction plans say the road is too narrow for the improvements.
To avoid dangers and heavy traffic some cyclists say they have modified their routes to steer clear of the construction. A more recent problem for cyclists is trying to find a back road that is quick as well as safe, Max Wells, bicycling enthusiast and a mechanic at Fairhaven Bike and Ski said.
“Once construction is over and the road is smoothed out, it will be good for the most part,” Wells said. “I will still be looking out for cross traffic and cars turning onto the main drag though.”
The project on 12th Street began in July. Crews have replaced about two-and-a-half blocks of 100-year-old water pipes said Project Manager Mark Handzlik. Other project accomplishments include minor sewer work as well as repaving the road and painting traffic lines.
“I try to avoid 12th and find some other way,” Wells said. “But it’s hard to navigate when every street has a flagger.”
According to Kim Brown, transportation options coordinator for the City of Bellingham, most new streets with that are under construction are fitted with bicycle lanes. If there is enough room, bicycle lanes may be added to streets during re-striping. While grant funds supply money for extensive construction projects, placement of bicycle lanes relies on the amount of funding, as overall the changes can be expensive.
Gabe Alexander frequently visits Fairhaven by bicycle and finds that though his ride is usually smooth, interruptions in traffic such as construction zones may prove dangerous. Road work on 12th Street has especially changed the way Alexander rides to Lake Samish.
“I have traveled many times on 12th street since reconstruction. The road conditions are very poor and actually dangerous,” Alexander said. “I am always careful when I ride here because if I don't pay attention the wheel can hit something on the road and I could be thrown off the bike.”
According to Handzlik, construction is behind schedule due to contaminated soils and added work. With more work on the project, conditions along 12th Street will persist until the project is finished.
According to Fairhaven Neighbors Association President Larry Kimmett, the Fairhaven Plan update is in the review process. One of the issues within the plan is bicycles in the neighborhood, as ridership is likely to increase in the next 5-10 years, he said.
“We expect bicycle lanes to increase both in Fairhaven and Bellingham in general in response to residents’ demand for transportation alternatives and the likelihood that the cost and availability of gasoline will become more prohibitive in the near future,” Kimmett said.
Many feel that Bellingham has an overall encouraging attitude towards bicyclists, with Fairhaven being no exception.
“It beats buses,” Mike Storm, long time bicycle enthusiast and the repair shop manager at Fairhaven Bike and Ski said. “It’s easier to get around by bike than almost any other way.”
Originally from Charlotte, N.C. and having lived in southern California, Storm says that overall Bellingham has been a better place to ride.
In order for bike lanes to be requested in the city, neighborhood associations, the public and the transportation commission gather data detailing neighborhood need. This data includes the usage of areas with varied traffic frequency. Once neighborhood associations have composed plans, collaboration with city planners and councils takes place to determine the next step in the project.
“The proximity of the buildings to the right of way and the width of the right of way,” Handzlik said, including that the speed of traffic plays a large part in the decision. “Essentially there isn't enough room to add 10 feet of pavement for bike lanes.”
Due to the road sizes, some feel that bicycle lanes are not where future development will be focused. Some secondary goals of the project on 12th Street include improving pedestrian access as well as other methods of transportation, Handzlik said.
Vehicles drive more slowly in downtown Fairhaven as streets have limited available space for parking and two lane roads, Storm said. Many bicyclists agree that riding can still be a challenge as the road still may not be the safest place to ride.
While many bicycle riders feel comfortable riding with vehicle traffic, some riders like Wells feel that, though heavily discouraged by the law against it, riding on the sidewalk is safer.
Overall, Fairhaven is appreciated by many as a bicycle friendly neighborhood with conditions to improve in the future.
“The good news is that the future belongs more to bicycles for short trips than to cars,” Kimmett said.
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