Hebrew University Bike Lanes: Not According to the Ministry of Transportation's Guidelines

After the city planners have embarked on an ill-conceived project without clearing it with those who are heavily affected by it . . .

After 3 month's of protests from the residents of north Jerusalem . . .

After revelations that the city planners have sidestepped various guidelines published by the Ministry of Transportation itself . . .

The municipality has proceeded to continue its plan by building the bike lanes up Sederot Churchill, the main street to the Hebrew University, again disregarding various guidelines published by the Ministry of Transportation itself!

And, as demonstrated in Givat HaMivtar and French Hill, they continue to ignore the most basic, universal guideline that the results of construction must be safe (which they are not - see last post for more information).

Here are the dangers the current construction poses:

• The minimum allowable combined width of traffic, bicycle, parking and pedestrian lanes for various grades of slope (even under the safest conditions) has been ignored.
• The present bike paths merge with walkways at bus stops and with roadways at intersections.
• Cars cannot open their doors without being hit by passing traffic.
• Passengers cannot exit from parked cars without a potential collision with the traffic on one side and with bicyclists on the other.
• The handicapped, elderly and parents with strollers are forced to navigate around an additional raised barrier and bicycle traffic, before they are safe on a sidewalk.
• Bicyclists are being forced to ride on steep streets, confined to a highly curbed trough (narrower than the Ministry of Transportation allows). Each high curb presents a detriment to the safety of the bicyclist whose peddles and wheels coming in contact with either curb will cause the rider to flip from his bicycle (especially when other obstacles appear in the lane or in slippery and windy conditions).

Do the city planners represent their own interests or do they represent all of us?

From Tuesday to the end of Friday, the work area was dramatically expanded down the hill.

On Sunday the problematic bike lane dividers had already been partially installed. 

Bus is forced to stop because of open door of parked car along projected bike path curb.
Drivers exiting their cars and passing vehicles can expect dangerous collisions thanks to the bike path project.

The bike path project leaves no room for human error.