ST9302-CS 950603MEMORANDUM
Date:
To.'
From:
Subject:
June 3, 1995
Ken Grfff'm, City Engineer
David C. Miller, Police Chief
Sandy Lake Road Improvement Project
At a recent City Council Work Session a proposal regarding the widening of Sandy Lake
Road was discussed. The proposal included a diagram depicting the four east/west travel
lanes and I noted that the lanes were 11 feet wide. I also noted that there was a proposed
three foot wide bicycle lane planned for each direction.
Three foot bike lanes are extremely narrow and I have concerns regarding the safety of
bicycle riders in such a narrow pathway. It is anticipated that Sandy Lake will carry a
significant amount of traffic, including light truck traffic during most daylight hours. If two
standard cars were to be traveling side by side within 11 foot lanes, there could be some
infringement into the bike the lane. But if two trucks were traveling side by side, each with
rear side mirrors, there would almost certainly be some infringement into the bike lane.
I fear that a bike rider might be struck by the right (passenger) side rear view mirror, of
passing trucks. I would like to discuss this proposed roadway configuration and double
check the measurments with you.
Some possible alternatives would be to eliminate the bike lanes altogether, widen the bike
lanes to provide more room against the curb area, or limit the type of truck traffic permitted
on this section of roadway.
Please contact me so we can discuss this issue.