Description
Drivers southbound on Van Dyke who make a right turn on 28 Mile Rd are supposed to yield to pedestrians at the signal.
The problem is that cyclists on the Orchard bike trail do not slow down as they approach the crossing. Due to trees, bushes etc, drivers have approx 3 seconds to realize there is a cyclist about to ride full speed across the intersection.
With everything else needing a driver's attention it is very easy to NOT see cyclists in this very small time window.
Drivers Northbound on Van Dyke turning LEFT (west) onto 28 Mile Rd can find themselves in the middle of the oncoming traffic lane as a cyclist appears.
I suggest STOP signs be installed on the bike trail such that drivers have MUCH more time to become aware of cyclists.
9 Comments
P (Guest)
keith (Guest)
It is also perfectly legal for a driver to make a "right turn on red after stop". To see if Southbound Van Dyke is clear to enable such a turn requires pulling forward across the pedestrian walkway.
I have done this when there is not a cyclist in sight, only to have them appear, then wave their fists at me because I have puled forward.
Let's face it, the real issue is that cyclists are NOT walking and therefore the time it takes them to get to the crossing is so short that they will take a driver by surprise. Are they not supposed to stop to make sure it's safe to cross first?
Perhaps a couple of chicanes to slow the bikes down would work?????
Todd Scott (Registered User)
Motorists like Keith who pull forward and block the crosswalk are breaking Washington Township's traffic ordinances. The Township has adopted the Michigan State Police Uniform Traffic Code, which states:
R 28.1438 Rule 438. Entering intersection or crosswalk; obstructing traffic prohibited; violation as
civil infraction.
(1) A driver shall not enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he or she is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic-control signal indication to proceed.
(2) A person who violates this rule is responsible for a civil infraction.
There should also be a no turn on red for EB 28 Mile and SB Van Dyke. A separate left turn sign for Van Dyke would resolve motorists who turn and block traffic, which also breaks the above mentioned law.
The suggestion of adding stop signs on the trail when a ped signal exist is not allowed. That's analogous to adding a stop sign at a traffic light.
P (Guest)
keith (Guest)
What prompted my report here is that I was involved in a verbal altercation with a cyclist earlier this week.
He WAS NOT in view as I moved forward, but was suddenly RIGHT THERE, banging on my car.
He was in full racing gear and was upset that I had "ruined his time by making him stop".
Presumably he was timing himself over a certain distance.
I watched him continue South and within a very short space of time he was up to at least 30mph,
At that speed it is no wonder he suddenly appeared after I had checked both directions to make sure it was clear.
My original 3 seconds elapsed time was based on cyclists riding at normal speeds, not racing!
Can I get some clarification here? These are PEDESTRIAN cross-walks. Seeing pedestrians is not a problem. What does the law require cyclists to do - ride across without slowing down, or dismount and walk across? A cyclist at full speed does not fit the definition of a pedestrian.
I have not hit ANYONE in 45 years driving and I don't want to start now, but this intersection is an accident waiting to happen if the cyclists do not slow down before crossing.
P (Guest)
TMO (Guest)
anon (Guest)
Closed kaydeejay (Registered User)
Ya can't fix stupid, I have no more suggestions as to how to improve the situation, so I am closing this report!