Salt Lake City is about to break ground on the nation’s first protected intersection for bicyclists.
This helpful video shows you exactly how that is a good thing for cyclists:
KSL Utah reports:
Currently, 200 West is 90 percent underutilized for vehicle capacity, making it an ideal location to integrate “low stress” bikeways, according to the city. The bikeway is part of the downtown transportation master plan and will nearly intersect with two TRAX stations, South Temple and 900 South. There will also be Four GREENBike stations along the way.
“Across the United States, street transformations that include protected bikeways have been shown to increase comfort and safety for people on bicycles, attract new riders, decrease motor vehicle speeds, decrease fatal and serious crashes for all modes, and improve safety for all roadway users,” the city said.
Unlike other cities that currently have or are building protected bike lanes, this is the first time a city in the U.S. is building a fully protected intersection.
The city hopes that in addition to aiding cyclists, the new lane will increase local commerce. The area will also feature murals by local artists.
“A transportation system that encourages bicycling and walking can also save money, reduce traffic congestion, build community and improve the overall quality of life,” the city wrote in its master plan. “Therefore, the city supports the concept of complete streets, requiring the accommodation of pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the planning process.”
Jenn Stanley is a freelance journalist, essayist and independent producer living in Chicago. She has an M.S. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
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