ABChallenge-2017 | Albany Bicycle Coalition

Category Archives: ABChallenge-2017

by Lorenz M. Worden | May 15, 2017 · 10:24 am

People on Bicycles at Crossgates

A number of transportation related projects are envisioned for the Western Ave./Washington Ave. corridors. One of these is the hotel proposal for the south side of Crossgates Mall. To ensure that people on bicycles are considered in this plan, the Albany Bicycle Coalition has taken steps to be involved in the review process. Following in is one example of these steps.

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May 16, 2017

Mr. Stephen J. Feeney
Chairman – Planning Board
Town of Guilderland
Town Hall, Route 20
PO Box 12084-0339
Guilderland, NY 12084

Dear Mr. Feeney:

On April 26, 2017, representatives of the Albany Bicycle Coalition, Inc. attended the Planning Board meeting regarding the Crossgates Mall Hotel – Lehner Rd. proposal. Our interest in this is predicated on our commitment to making the streets and roads in the area welcoming to people on bicycles and safer for all road users.

We were encouraged that the proposed site plan for the relocated Lehner Road included a bike path. With recent developments in the area, we believe that this project – with the proper guidance and input – can contribute to success in our goals for this notably cycling unfriendly section of Guilderland. In particular, the Westmere Corridor project, the advent of CDPHP Cycle! BikeShare this summer, completion of the Madison Avenue Traffic Calming project and its direct connection to Guilderland via Western Ave, and the growing cultural interest in reducing pollution, road deaths and environmental degradation all suggest a firm commitment by the Town of Guilderland to ensure that this new project is integrated into these other efforts. I would also note that the representative of Crossgates, Michael Shanley, approached us informally outside the meeting to express interest in our being involved in plan’s development. We hope that you will be in a position to encourage this collaboration as the project moves forward.

At the hearing, we inquired about the appropriate forum to raise our concerns and to explore plans by the developer. You suggested that the upcoming site plan review sessions were the proper setting.

Accordingly, please include the following representatives from ABC in the announcement of these sessions: [List of contacts follows]

Sincerely yours,

Albany Bicycle Coalition, Inc. tumblr_loptfhMnk81qzu3e6o1_1280

Washington Ave. – Watcha’ Gonna Do?

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The recent reduction in speed limits on Washington Ave. from Brevator to Fuller Rd. (from 40 to 30 mph) and from Fuller to Rt. 155/Karner Rd. (from 55 to 45) invites immediate reconsideration of the street for use by people on bicycles and for increased safety for all road users. Opening almost 4 miles on Washington Ave. for all users would provide a major commuter and recreational route and would connect the City of Albany to Schenectady and the suburbs with benefits to all. Specifically for people on bicycles, a traffic-calmed Washington Ave. would connect to the Six Mile Waterworks Park trail (and thence to Lincoln Ave./Rapp Rd. and then to Central Ave.) allowing riders to bypass the dangerous Wolf Rd. – Central Ave. area.

To support this approach, we need only note that, although the official speed is now lower, the configuration of the road and the clear message it sends to people in cars is – 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 mph – it’s all good. The entire Albany Police Department could not “police” speeders on Washington Ave. The simple solution is to abandon this configuration of wide lanes with negligible build up or greenery near the roadway, wide shoulders, and 4 lanes. We can send a “complete streets message” by taking advantage of these wide shoulders and extra wide motor vehicle travel lanes to provide 11-foot travel lanes and bicycle lanes on each side from Manning Blvd. to 155/Karner Rd..

A positive feature of Washington Ave. is that it lies under only one jurisdiction – the City of Albany – and is not a New York State numbered route. This means that it is unnecessary to navigate many levels of government to make these changes.

Another aspect of Washington Ave. is the “trail to nowhere” that starts on the sidewalk at the Fuller Rd. underpass/traffic circle on the south side of Washington Ave. (2.4 miles from Manning Blvd.). This multi-use path runs to an abrupt end at the Collin’s Circle entrance to the University at Albany. On its way there, the multi-use path crosses one campus access road (W. University Dr.) with no bicycle accommodations but with pedestrian crossing signals. (With Albany’s “right turn on red after pause ’rule’,” all these University at Albany entries are high-risk crossings.)

There is unencumbered real estate for continuation of this path from Collins Circle to the New York State Harriman Campus western border near the traffic lights controlling access to the office complex at 1365-1367-1375 Washington Ave. (3.8 miles from the start of the multiuse path at Fuller Rd.). Possibly, all that is needed is straightforward signaled crossover for pedestrians and for people on bicycles (to switch between the multi-use path and the bicycle lanes).

Here is a look at Washington Ave. (photos dated 4-9-17):