Bike Routes and Bike Lanes in Sioux City

On Friday Nov. 16 it was proposed at the Sioux City Council meeting the re-establishment of old bike routes, addition of new bike routes and adding bike lanes to Sioux City's streets. What was not part of the proposal is a change in ordinances. In other cities when bike lanes are added the city government tends to take a knee jerk reaction and pass an ordinance that states the bike lane users cannot exit the bike lane and use the travel lane. The bike lane design is also poor because the lanes are often in the door zone of parked vehicles.

I am not saying this is a bad idea. But I am concerned about what will happen based on what has happened in other cities when things like this are done, without a proactive approach to the laws and ordinances that govern all roadways users.

Here is the article in the Sioux City Journal:
Coming Soon: Bike Lanes in Sioux City

Here is the agenda from the Nov. 16 meeting with letters of support from the organizations regarding this matter:
Notice of Meeting of the City Council of City of Sioux City, Iowa

Here are the proposed changes I have presented to 3 of the organizations and an attorney friend of mine regarding changes to the current city ordinances:

1. The bike lanes should only happen if: there is no parking lane between the bike lane and the curb, OR the bike lane is far enough away from the parking lane so the bike lane users are not doored by someone opening a car door on the drivers side. OR if a city ordinance is passed that when a cyclist is doored the person who opened the car door is hit with a hefty fine and punishment.

2. A city ordinance shall not be passed restricting cyclists to the bike lane as to prevent them from exiting the bike lane to avoid being doored or other objects blocking their path or enabling cyclists from continuing safely in the bike lane. This would only apply if the city does not eliminate the parking lane next to the bike lane or if there is not enough space to place the bike lane far enough from the parking lane where people exiting motor vehicles open the doors into the bike lane.

3. An ordinance shall be passed preventing motor vehicles from using the bike lanes as passing lanes, turn lanes, etc.

4. When bike lanes are next to, adjacent to or parallel to or approach right turn lanes the bike lane should terminate, temporarily for cyclists who are going to proceed straight through the intersection, then continue from the other side of the intersection. Thus allowing the cyclist enough time to merge into the travel lane until after crossing through the intersection safely. The bike lanes shall not be used as right turn lanes. There also shall be enough signage to make it clear to both cyclists and motorists of this.

5. Bike lanes shall not be used as parking lanes for motor vehicles.

6. Bike lanes shall not be used as parking lanes for bicycles.

7. Cyclists shall not be allowed to stop in a bike lane, unless for traffic control device, at the request of a law enforcement offices or anything else out of the ordinary that would impede a cyclists movement in the bike lane. In other words they cannot stop to sit and chat with their other cyclist friends or even to fix a flat tire. If they want to do that they shall move off of the bike lane/roadway.

8. A safe passing distance ordinance shall be passed for within Sioux City city limits where no motorists shall pass a cyclist at a distance of no more than 3 feet. The punishment shall be when/if a motorist collides with a cyclist and is at fault for the incident the motorist shall be have a high fine imposed and even jail time as a punishment.

9. The current ordinance that states cyclists shall use the side path or trail when it parallels a roadway shall be terminated.

For example the path along Larsen Rd. This law is in violation of state law that allows all cyclists equal rights to the roadways as motorists, except where bicycles are prohibited because of the minimum speed limit requirement, such as Interstate 29.

10. A cyclist anti-harassment law shall be passed. Where when a motorist harasses a cyclist a high fine and possible jail time shall be imposed as punishment especially if the harassment caused the cyclist to crash and suffer injuries as a result. This would also apply to objects being thrown at a cyclist from someone in a motor vehicle.

It is unknown at this time if such changes will be made or if they will even be brought before the city council. I am going to contact a council member to find out if this matter will be discussed at future council meetings.