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Why some bicyclists bypass the pedestrian bridge
Josh -
5/29/2008
A letter writer (third item down on this link) pointed out a few weeks ago that many bicyclists are still riding with the vehicle traffic over the Interstate 90 overpass – within a few feet of the sparkling new pedestrian bridge that parallels it.
His words: “Why not use the perfectly good bridge made for walkers and bikers? I do not try driving my car on the Centennial Trail to try to get the mall.” A good question, and, it turns out, there may be a good answer.
I chatted with Cathy Armacost (at left in photo below) on the bridge in question on May 16. She had just told Great Harvest Bread Co. owner Ross Umbdenstock and Cycle Sports owner Theo Propst that she was only on the pedestrian bridge for the muffins and Starbucks they were distributing as part of national Bike to Work Day. Normally, if she’s heading northbound on Liberty Lake Road, she proceeds with the traffic over the vehicle bridge.
Why? Turns out, she views the vehicle bridge as safer than its pedestrian counterpart. Just that morning on her way for the goodies, she said she was following the “Same Road, Same Rules, Same Rights” bicycling guidelines when she was nearly smeared by a car driven by a woman chatting on a cell phone (“I hate to admit it, but it’s usually the women,” she said). She was waiting in the left turn lane as if she was going to hop on I-90 to Coeur d’Alene. When the light turned green, she proceeded, only to be passed on the right by the vehicle behind her when she was starting to ease her way toward the entrance to the pedestrian bridge.
Other than bad drivers, she said that Liberty Lake Road and Appleway intersection needs to be painted with designated crosswalks and perhaps receive some signage supporting common intentions of bicyclists.
The very existence of the pedestrian bridge is a great story and is (at least potentially) an important part of connecting established Liberty Lake south of the Interstate to the future of the city that is growing up to the north. But it wasn’t worth the investment if it’s only going to be used for decoration.
Do you use the bridge? What upgrades need to be made to ensure it accomplishes its serviceable purpose?
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