Which is a TDOT controlled road - a huge win for Nashville if TDOT is relaxing its grip on the state routes and allowing more people friendly design! But here is a screenshot of a typical segment of the "protected" bikeway:
the best/worst part of this project was people complaining that the flex posts impeded traffic because people were turning into businesses more slowly. yes! that’s the literal, explicit point!
Although there is a healthy buffer and flex posts present in spots along this bikeway, the buffers often narrow or disappear at intersections as more lanes are added for car movements. There are also no posts in front of the numerous very long driveways, a hallmark of Nashville area pikes...
So while I celebrate the miles of bikeway Nashville has added in the past few years, I think it is reasonable that we all demand better and more protected options - especially on our most dangerous roads!
Another takeaway: the 31.3 miles of bikeway shown on this map looks... almost inconsequential and completely disconnected.
That just highlights the vast number of lane miles we have to manage in Davidson Co. It's definitely not an easy job and there is so so so much to keep pushing for!
I recently re-rode this stretch of Lebanon Pk as a part of my FloodHub Bike Blitz the first week of April. I was very surprised by the condition of the delineators one year later, and the cleanliness of the bike lane. But access management IS absolutely still an issue here.
Realistically, these are still a 3 or 4 on the Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress. I was semi-comfortable on them as a very experienced cyclist, but I recall at least one driver cutting across the bike lane in front of me dangerously.
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However, when you go a level deeper, you see that fully half of the bikeway completed was this stretch of Lebanon Pike:
Would you feel comfortable on this bikeway, separated from 27,000+ AADT by some vertical and surface paint?
Would you let your kids ride here?
That just highlights the vast number of lane miles we have to manage in Davidson Co. It's definitely not an easy job and there is so so so much to keep pushing for!