Transportation
Fresno Cyclists Will Get Protected Bike Lanes on Four Streets
Good news is on the way for Fresno bike riders.
“Class IV bikeways are a much-needed improvement in safety for cyclists who rely on biking as a mode of transportation or recreation.” — Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer
Mayor Jerry Dyer announced Monday morning that the city will build protected bike lanes on four busy Fresno streets. Construction will begin in the coming weeks. The project will cost $1.5 million — not including the engineering design, the mayor’s spokeswoman said.
A Class IV bikeway is a separate path for the exclusive use of cyclists.
The physical separation on these lanes can include concrete curbs, landscaping, parking lanes, and flexible posts called “bollards.” Prominent green striping will be within the bike lane at all major intersections and other potential conflict zones that will enhance safety for bicyclists, City Hall said in a news release.
“Twenty-eight people died last year because of a pedestrian collision and of those deaths, seven were collisions with bicycles. Class IV bikeways are a much-needed improvement in safety for cyclists who rely on biking as a mode of transportation or recreation,” Dyer said.
California approved Class IV bike lanes when Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1193 into law in September 2014.
Protected Bike Lane Locations
Here is a look at where the new Class IV bike lanes will go:
Palm Avenue: H Street to Dakota Avenue
Palm Avenue will be reduced from two lanes in each direction to one lane with a center two-way left turn lane added for safety. The center two-way turn will run for the full length of the project except between Clinton and Shields Avenues.
Belmont Avenue: Palm Avenue to Abby Street
Belmont Avenue will be reduced from two lanes in each direction with a center two-way left turn lane added for safety for the full length of the project.
Fulton/Wishon Avenue: Weldon Avenue to Belmont Avenue
Fulton/Wishon Avenue will be reduced from two lanes to one.
Barstow Avenue: Blackstone Avenue to Cedar Avenue
There will be no lane reductions on Barstow Avenue.
What the State Says About Class IV Bike Lanes
Caltrans notes that Class IV bike lanes are intended to “foster bicycling as a means of transportation, in a manner that improves safety for all users, including motorists, transit users, and pedestrians, including persons with disabilities.”
