Navigating the Intersection of 4th and Cherry by Bike

Yesterday, the City's contractors finished resurfacing 4th Street behind the Laurel.  As soon as we can get some decent weather, DPW will stripe out the lane markings. There will be some subtle changes to the lane striping heading southbound as you approach Cherry Lane and Gude Lake.  Here is the previous lane configuration on 4th Street, with a left turn lane and a right turn lane:

Left and right turn lanes on 4th Street, heading south

Now, here is the new striping layout for the southbound approach on 4th Street.  Most notably, the bike lane that is on the right, shifts toward the middle of the approach:

New striping layout.  Representation only.  (click  for larger size)

If you're a driver, nothing changes - you will still have a left turn lane and a permissive right turn lane.  However, if you are a biker, you will take the center bike lane.  This allows you to go straight toward Gude Lake or turn left, without fear of a "right hook" collision with a car.  As shown with the green arrows, bikers can use the widened median opening on Cherry, with the widened sidewalk on Cherry and the new hiker/biker trail in order to access the paths around Gude Lake.   These new features also allow inexperienced bikers to turn left to access Laurel Place or Route 1, without having to bike on Cherry Lane (which is still legal).

Speed Cameras are Up and Operational

The City of Laurel has begun  installation of its portable speed cameras, and it is currently in its 30-day "warning" period.  After the warning period, the fine will be $40.00 for violators traveling 12+mph over the speed limit.

Survey on walking conditions

We are taking a survey of City residents on the condition of our walking infrastructure and how we can improve it.  Please take a moment to fill out our short anonymous SURVEY.
click HERE to take the survey

Survey is now CLOSED.  Thank you for your participation.

Edmonston, Maryland's Green Street

This post, while not about Laurel, may still be informative to our City's environmentally-conscious residents.
Yesterday, I stopped by the official street dedication of the greening of Decatur Street in Edmonston, MD.  They received a Federal Grant and applied it to:

• Reducing stormwater run-off
• Installing new LED overhead street lighting
• Adding bike lanes
• All new ADA compliant sidewalk and ramps
• Decorative, high-visibility crosswalks

Words can't do justice to the planning and effort put forth by Edmonston's Mayor Ortiz and his Staff, so here are some pictures that I hope will:


View of Decatur Street looking West toward Anacostia River



Another view of Decatur Street, showing bike lanes and street lamps

Edmonston is lucky to have the Northeast Branch Trail pass through their Town

90% of the stormwater run-off is collected in curbside biorention cells.

Another view of the bioretention cell

Yet another view.

New LED street lamps, powered by wind energy

LED bulb

Sidewalk widening on Cherry Lane

The City of Laurel is expanding the width of the sidewalk along Cherry Lane at 4th Street.  This is to accomodate both pedestrian and bikers access to the trails around Gude Lake from the newly-constructed access path down from the intersection of 4th and Cherry.  Further, it will allow cyclists on 4th Street access to the Gude Lake trails via the widened crosswalk/median-openings and expanded sidewalk. The picture below highlights some of the new and pending changes.

Yellow captions indicate new or pending changes to 4th and Cherry.