ACHD Keeping Bike Lanes Longer

The bike lanes are here to stay for at least a few more weeks.  ACHD met last night to determine the future of the bike lane pilot program last night.

What's the verdict on the bike lanes that have turned Capitol Boulevard, Main Street and Idaho Street into a virtual obstacle course?  They're here to stay till at least June 4th.  ACHD commissioners made that decision last night despite the fact that 55% of their survey responses and 70% of their e-mail responses showed that those of you who live, work or play near Downtown Boise want the bike lanes removed.

Most of those negative comments came from motorists, while people that bike DT liked the bike lanes or just didn't have an opinion at all.  If you haven't expressed how you feel yet you can fill out this SURVEY on the ACHD website.

I'm one of those people that responded unfavorably to the survey for a couple of reasons.  Every time I've been behind one of those bike boxes, there's never been a cyclist in the green box so I'm being told I can't turn right on red from Capitol to Myrtle anymore for no reason.  I also have witnessed many cyclists still riding on the sidewalks while the bike lanes were wide open next to them.

And parking?  Gosh, I have a hard enough time trying to find a place to park Downtown to begin with since I'm so bad at parallel parking.  Trying to pull that off with the added pressure of the candles and cyclists?  Holy panic attack, Batman.  As a motorist, I'd really like to see the bike lanes go away.  I just haven't seen them used enough and they've slowed my commute down.  I do cycle in Downtown Boise in the summer and never felt the need for extra bike lanes since I normally ride on the sidewalk and feel safe there.