Allan Appel Photo
Court Street at State viewed looking west.
If you’re riding your bike from the east side of the city toward the Green, you will no longer have to dodge oncoming traffic on the last leg of your journey.
You’ll be able to ride the last street in a bicycle lane dedicated to you as driver head in the opposite direction on.
That’s because the commissioners of the Traffic Authority of New Haven (who double as the police commissioners) Tuesday night approved a new bicycle “contra-flow” lane allowing you to ride against car traffic on Court Street between Orange and State.
Northside parking with all its regs will be flipped to the south side on this single short block. Then the contra lane will be striped for bicycles who will be riding in the opposite direction of the east-bound cars on Court.
Commissioners pow-wow.
When Transportation, Traffic & Parking’s Director of Engineering Operations Bruce Fischer finished his explanation, it elicited some skeptical responses from the commissioners.
Commissioner Stephen Garcia’s initial response was terse: “Weird!”
“This is a pet project of cyclists,” Fisher said. “They feel they need it go through” to the government center and beyond to the Green.
“Bikes are allowed in the government center?” Garcia persisted.
“Seems to go nowhere,” said Commissioner Greg Smith.
There was a general, if brief, discussion about signage. (It is all to remain the same, only shift to the south side of the street.)
“You’ll confuse people,” argued Garcia.
Fischer disagreed: “It works fine on High Street.” The city put its first “contra” lane on High Street. (Click here to read a story and passionate reader conversation about that.)
Other commissioners, in search of some reason to say no, asked if the alders in the specific area support the project. Fisher said a formal letter of support is forthcoming
With that, Garcia moved to approve the contra flow lane on Court Street. Commissioner Evelise Ribeiro seconded; it passed unanimously.
But the commissioners were not through with the subject.
Commission Chairman Anthony Dawson, having listened patiently, widened the discussion to bicycle riding habits and safety citywide.
“Can you please find some money for bicycle safety [education]? Because I see some bicycles in the middle of the street doing hand signals. And I’d like to do education and training for the police as well,” Dawson said.
Fischer: “I can’t guarantee we have the money.”
Dawson: “If you bring me one more [issue] on bicycles, I want to deal with bicycle safety [first]. I’m not going to be user-friendly unless you bring me some bicycle education. Find the money from the alders, or a foundation.”
“Good idea,” replied Fischer. Then he wrapped up his papers and the issue was concluded.
For now.
Court Street looking east