lightningbolt1987 t1_j1yvb6e wrote on December 28, 2022 at 12:32 PM

Reply to comment by lestermagnum in Brett Smiley looks to change / eliminate bicycle lane on South Water Street by Locksmith-Pitiful

But what would be the point of removing south water street lane? It clearly does work. There’s been in depth traffic studies showing that there is not even remotely a traffic issue on the street. No parking spaces were lost. Local businesses are doing well. Is there ANY basis for removing the south water lane other than the detractors having too big of an ego to admit they were wrong?

Proof-Variation7005 t1_j1zzdnu wrote on December 28, 2022 at 5:42 PM

>But what would be the point of removing south water street lane?

I think people are maybe overstating that possibility and the incoming Mayor's intent here.

I don't really frequent the area but if it's causing significant traffic issues all around, it'd probably worth looking into maybe not taking up 15 feet of road width, especially since you have the ability to use open land right next to the road for a large chunk of that area.

As for a point for or against removing it, I think how much or little it gets used would probably be consideration too.

lightningbolt1987 t1_j20dcww wrote on December 28, 2022 at 7:14 PM

It’s not causing any traffic, that’s one of the reasons it’s time to let it be.

With regards to use, I hear you, but we have an issue currently with proving out these bike lanes, in that they were built in disconnected fragments. Until they connect and you can actually safely and seamlessly bike through the city it’s hard to measure impact because they aren’t that useable. Generally, in other cities, widespread connected bike infrastructure has led to a major increase in biking. There’s no reason to believe Providence (a sense, compact city) would be any different in this regard.