Converting One Way Streets to Two Way - Page 5

fusili · #81 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 5:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

I actually disagree with you for once. Motorists exist. We cant just make them suffer and become more bitter than they already are. We now have motorists trying to speed throught these gaps in the slow pedestrians and almost running them over. This system creates road rage and anger and the system is not working very well. How many times do you see a car angrily waiting for pedestrians, and then speeding off in anger when he FINALLY gets the chance to turn after all of the sauntering pedestrians clear the intersections? Pedestrians need to be aware as well and courteous.

I think we need a couple more advanced green lights (short ones).......OH and some education that YES, you can turn left on a red light from a one-way to a one-way!!

Not saying I like this behavior, just saying it is nearly impossible to stop it. What are you going to do, tell people to walk faster?

DizzyEdge · #82 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 5:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

Also, downtown, we need more advance turning signals for cars. maybe not as long as some of them, but a quick advance turn (one way to one way) so that at least 5 - 10 cars can turn before being blocked by pedestrian flow. It always seems that as soon as you get a chance to turn, some pedestrian non-chalontly saunters across the road and holds up 10 cars...... this does not make people happy....... If i am walking and notice a whole bunch of cars wating, I wave them by, let 5 go and then cross.

There are some seriously easy ways to fight the rush hour pedestrian vs car rage we are experiencing lately.

Totally agree with this, put these in any intersection that has the pedestrian volume to warrant it.

Also slightly offtopic, anyone have a good idea how to deal with cyclists who are rollin down the sidewalk at 10-20 km/hr who I almost hit as I turn right because I didn't check my rearview mirror to look a block backwards to look for cyclists racing down the sidewalk? grrrrrrr

kw5150 · #83 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 5:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

This is something a lot of people seem to forget. The majority of the city (and hence, the majority of voters) will quite happily do the stupid thing and vote for inner city freeways if we make driving through downtown really bad. Which leads back to the original thread topic.

Yes, and having a shitty downtown where no one wants to live will also let freeways run through because no one will give a shit......its a balance.

I still think 9th would be an amazing 2 way street!

Ok here is an example. They are announcing: "To increase the flow of traffic in Calgary, all streets will be changed to one ways."

What would the reaction be? I just think that there needs to be a balance and the quality has to be good. All of the one ways I know are very car centric and rerely have high levels of pedestrain traffic. Pedestrians avoid busy one-ways.

fusili · #84 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 5:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Totally agree with this, put these in any intersection that has the pedestrian volume to warrant it.

Also slightly offtopic, anyone have a good idea how to deal with cyclists who are rollin down the sidewalk at 10-20 km/hr who I almost hit as I turn right because I didn't check my rearview mirror to look a block backwards to look for cyclists racing down the sidewalk? grrrrrrr

Umm, watch for pedestrians and cyclists when you turn right.

kw5150 · #85 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 5:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Totally agree with this, put these in any intersection that has the pedestrian volume to warrant it.

Also slightly offtopic, anyone have a good idea how to deal with cyclists who are rollin down the sidewalk at 10-20 km/hr who I almost hit as I turn right because I didn't check my rearview mirror to look a block backwards to look for cyclists racing down the sidewalk? grrrrrrr

GRRRRRRRrrrrr, I cant stand those bastards and I share your anger. Cyclists should NOT be on the sidewalks; there are too many blind corners. If they are, they should be yeilding to ALL cars and pedestrians or be at fault. When I ride on the sidewalk which is rarely, I go VERY slow and watch for everything.

The other day, I saw a cylcist speeding down a sidewalk and a car was driving out of an alley. The car in the alley almost hit the cyclist (there was a fence blcoking the car's view) and then the cyclist had the audacity to yell at the car. They were both CLEARLY at fault.

kw5150 · #86 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 5:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusili

Umm, watch for pedestrians and cyclists when you turn right.

Are you having a bad day or something? Dizzy was not at fault. The speeding cyclist came out of nowhere and cyclists have to be responsible as well. I would never cycle at 20 km per hour by a right turning car....the awareness is not out there yet for cars and cyclists and our infrastrcuture is not up to par yet.

kw5150 · #87 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 5:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusili

Not saying I like this behavior, just saying it is nearly impossible to stop it. What are you going to do, tell people to walk faster?

No, Im going to add an advanced green......just like I said. And, actually maybe they could walk a little faster......YES. Why is such a problem to ask people to be more courteous? Everyone, is too caught up in thier "angst" these days to consider anyone else around them.

Gimme a break man. I am simply pointing out a problem that seems to be causing a lot of chaos. We need to make our downtown good for everyone one.....and yes, even motorists.

Now I am going to ask you a stupid question.

Do you think every motorist should be driven crazy so that they may one-day decide to take the train instead?

s211 · #88 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 5:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

I think we need a couple more advanced green lights (short ones).......OH and some education that YES, you can turn left on a red light from a one-way to a one-way!!

I imagine fewer people know that than the number of Vancouverites I've seen turn left off a two-way onto a one-way... almost a daily occurence downtown...

kw5150 · #89 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 5:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

I imagine fewer people know that than the number of Vancouverites I've seen turn left off a two-way onto a one-way... almost a daily occurence downtown...

Maybe, we just need a big driver, pedestrian cyclist, education day, followed by beer gardens and music??

DizzyEdge · #90 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 6:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

Are you having a bad day or something? Dizzy was not at fault. The speeding cyclist came out of nowhere and cyclists have to be responsible as well. I would never cycle at 20 km per hour by a right turning car....the awareness is not out there yet for cars and cyclists and our infrastrcuture is not up to par yet.

yeah, 90% of the time cyclists on the sidewalk are no problem, it's those who are riding at similar speeds to those on the road. That said, if they were on the road between me and the sidewalk I'd have to do break-my-neck shoulder check to check for them too, so maybe I just need to suck it up

fusili · #91 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 6:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

No, Im going to add an advanced green......just like I said. And, actually maybe they could walk a little faster......YES. Why is such a problem to ask people to be more courteous? Everyone, is too caught up in thier "angst" these days to consider anyone else around them.

Gimme a break man. I am simply pointing out a problem that seems to be causing a lot of chaos. We need to make our downtown good for everyone one.....and yes, even motorists.

Now I am going to ask you a stupid question.

Do you think every motorist should be driven crazy so that they may one-day decide to take the train instead?

No, I don't think motorists should be driven crazy. I know I am every time I drive. So I avoid it like the plague. All I know is while it is ok to complain about pedestrians crossing crosswalks, that is just a fact of life that you have to accept. 8th street right now is a complete mess because it is reduced to one lane at 8th avenue. Right turning vehicles block traffic waiting for pedestrians to cross 8th avenue (and there are a lot of them) so really only 2 or 3 vehicles cross at each light. It is infuriating. But it is also mostly inevitable. So, I just accept it.

93JC · #92 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 6:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

All of the one ways I know are very car centric and rerely have high levels of pedestrain traffic. Pedestrians avoid busy one-ways.

Do you, as a pedestrian, avoid 4th, 5th or 6th Ave SW? I don't! But I do tend to avoid 9th Ave.

"Why," you ask? Pedestrians, just as motorists, require two things before they will take a particular route: the means and a destination. I don't walk down 9th because the sidewalks are narrow or non-existent (the means to walk down 9th aren't there), and there is nothing but parking lots west of 4th St (I have no destination on 9th Ave).

Macleod Tr is two-way but I don't particularly enjoy walking down it either, for the same reasons as I avoid 9th: crappy sidewalks and nothing to walk to. It has nothing to do with the directions of traffic.

kw5150 · #93 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 6:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93JC

Do you, as a pedestrian, avoid 4th, 5th or 6th Ave SW? I don't! But I do tend to avoid 9th Ave.

"Why," you ask? Pedestrians, just as motorists, require two things before they will take a particular route: the means and a destination. I don't walk down 9th because the sidewalks are narrow or non-existent (the means to walk down 9th aren't there), and there is nothing but parking lots west of 4th St (I have no destination on 9th Ave).

Macleod Tr is two-way but I don't particularly enjoy walking down it either, for the same reasons as I avoid 9th: crappy sidewalks and nothing to walk to. It has nothing to do with the directions of traffic.

Yes, thank you for making me realize that, yes! I do avoid 4th 5th and 6th. I would rather walk in certain areas and there is a reason for it for sure.....I dont really like having hundred of cars speeding at 70km per hour kicking up dust. I would rather walk along 8th ave anyday than any of the one ways.

And Mcleaod trail south is a bad example for you to pull in at this moment. It is nothing like the inner city 2 ways I am talking about. It is more like an expressway.............but yes, it is completely terrible.

DizzyEdge · #94 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 6:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

Yes, thank you for making me realize that, yes! I do avoid 4th 5th and 6th. I would rather walk in certain areas and there is a reason for it for sure.....I dont really like having hundred of cars speeding at 70km per hour kicking up dust. I would rather walk along 8th ave anyday than any of the one ways.

And Mcleaod trail south is a bad example for you to pull in at this moment. It is nothing like the inner city 2 ways I am talking about. It is more like an expressway.............but yes, it is completely terrible.

Walking down such streets would probably be less discomforting if there was on-street parking between you and the road. Of course if there's no reason to walk there that doesn't help much in the desire department (in the case of much of 9th).

Calgarian · #95 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 7:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

I imagine fewer people know that than the number of Vancouverites I've seen turn left off a two-way onto a one-way... almost a daily occurence downtown...

I see that daily and it drives me nuts, you can only turn left onto a one way street if you are currently on a one way street. I almost got into a fight with a guy who was honking at me to turn left onto a one way off a 2 way and I wouldn't do it because it's illegal. I've almost been hit by cars (when I'm walking) as I cross the 2way street while they are watching right on the one way to turn left. Calgary drivers really are something else. As a pedestrian the number one thing to do is make eye contact with the driver before you start crossing as you are a secondary consideration to them.

Calgarian · #96 Posted: **May 12, 2011, 7:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusili

No, I don't think motorists should be driven crazy. I know I am every time I drive. So I avoid it like the plague. All I know is while it is ok to complain about pedestrians crossing crosswalks, that is just a fact of life that you have to accept.

Exactly, as long as pedestrians and vehicles are both on the same signal, drivers are going to have to wait for pedestrians, and lots of those pedestrians are as oblivious to those around them as the drivers in this city so they dawdle.

Bassic Lab · #97 Posted: **May 13, 2011, 10:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

yeah, 90% of the time cyclists on the sidewalk are no problem, it's those who are riding at similar speeds to those on the road. That said, if they were on the road between me and the sidewalk I'd have to do break-my-neck shoulder check to check for them too, so maybe I just need to suck it up

Well even then any accident would be the cyclist's fault. They are supposed to be acting as a vehicle. No motorcyclist, who is not attempting to commit suicide, would attempt to pass a right turning car on the right. Then again, motorcyclists actually require a special licence to prove that they know what they are doing.

On the other hand, automobile drivers must give special attention to ensure that they do not endanger the livers of pedestrians and cyclists. This is simply because they have a great deal more power at their disposal. They can seriously injure, or kill, others in a way that pedestrians and cyclists cannot.

So I guess it depends on the situation . As long as all due care and more is taken then what happens will happen. If a cyclist wants to illegally speed along a sidewalk with parked cars making them invisible to drivers and continue across streets without stopping... Well, I would feel bad if I hit them but if I had done every thing possible to ensure their safety and they had decided to risk their life by breaking traffic laws then it is really on them. There is a reason we ban all cyclists, with the exemption of small children, from the sidewalk. It is both for the safety of pedestrians and to make it clear that the sidewalk is not just another lane of traffic that turning vehicles have to cross, thus defeating the purpose of banning right turns from left lanes.

Radley77 · #98 Posted: **May 13, 2011, 4:47 PM**

whoops... wrong thread.

nick.flood · #99 Posted: **May 13, 2011, 5:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I see that daily and it drives me nuts, you can only turn left onto a one way street if you are currently on a one way street. I almost got into a fight with a guy who was honking at me to turn left onto a one way off a 2 way and I wouldn't do it because it's illegal. I've almost been hit by cars (when I'm walking) as I cross the 2way street while they are watching right on the one way to turn left. Calgary drivers really are something else. As a pedestrian the number one thing to do is make eye contact with the driver before you start crossing as you are a secondary consideration to them.

I third this. Since moving to 12th Avenue I've been amazed at how many times I see this, either while driving or crossing as a pedestrian.

fusili · #**100** Posted: **May 13, 2011, 5:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by s211

I imagine fewer people know that than the number of Vancouverites I've seen turn left off a two-way onto a one-way... almost a daily occurence downtown...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I see that daily and it drives me nuts, you can only turn left onto a one way street if you are currently on a one way street. I almost got into a fight with a guy who was honking at me to turn left onto a one way off a 2 way and I wouldn't do it because it's illegal. I've almost been hit by cars (when I'm walking) as I cross the 2way street while they are watching right on the one way to turn left. Calgary drivers really are something else. As a pedestrian the number one thing to do is make eye contact with the driver before you start crossing as you are a secondary consideration to them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick.flood

I third this. Since moving to 12th Avenue I've been amazed at how many times I see this, either while driving or crossing as a pedestrian.

You can definitely turn from a two-way onto a one way.

http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/2020.htm