Santa Monica wants to be bike capital of the world unveils new “Dutch” project
From Momentummag.com
In a groundbreaking celebration, Santa Monica Mayor Gleam Davis declared, “Watch out, Amsterdam! We are going to be the bike capital of the world,” as the city unveiled its recently completed 17th Street curb-protected bike lanes, according to a news report. This project, boasting a region-leading design marks a significant achievement with Southern California’s first protected “Dutch-style” intersections.
The Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue project includes full Dutch-style curb-protected intersections at both Broadway and Arizona Avenue. These intersections, considered best safety practices, incorporate small concrete islands to compel drivers to slow down when turning across the bikeway, enhancing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.
The project spans just over a mile of protected bikeway between Wilshire Boulevard and Pico Boulevard. The configuration varies, with sidewalk-level bike lanes south of Michigan Avenue and concrete curbs added north of Michigan, relocating existing unprotected bike lanes behind curbs and parked cars.
The new protected bike lane protect was not free of criticism when it was proposed and then approved this past summer.
Photo by Gerson Repreza on Unsplash
