Milwaukee North Avenue protected bike lanes complete
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee bike lanes on North Avenue narrowed the street, and leaders hope it will curb reckless driving, but not everyone is following the rules.
The idea is for vehicles and cyclists to share the road in a safer way. The protected lanes stretch from Cambridge to Prospect on Milwaukee's east side.
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"Just love the breeze, the fresh air, the exercise," said Grant Sponholz.
Milwaukee North Avenue protected bike lanes
Getting around on two wheels has been a daily routine for Sponholz, but the bicyclist would avoid one major stretch.
"I go down Oak Leaf Trail every day to and from because I don’t want to ride on the streets because I’m worried that people are going to run me over," said Sponholz.
Sponholz said reckless driving on North Avenue made it too dangerous.
"It’s actually pretty scary," said Sponholz.
Through a project that started in early August, new bike lanes were installed between the road, parked cars and the sidewalk.
"By narrowing the lanes, it slows traffic down -- sometimes, by a pretty significant margin," said Alderman Jonathan Brostoff.
Milwaukee North Avenue protected bike lanes
Brostoff helped bring the bike lanes to North Avenue in just 15 days.
"Really, this is a street that should be for everyone – for bikers, for pedestrians, for people of all ages and all abilities," said Brostoff.
"It makes it easier for bikers," said Tyler Winters.
Winters said it's a much-needed improvement.
Milwaukee North Avenue protected bike lanes
"People have been really good with it," said Winters. "They watch for the bikers, and I’m watching out for them, as well.
Sponholz said he's seen the opposite, including drivers parking in the bike lanes and others using them to pass other vehicles.
He wants people to pay attention, so everyone can be safe.
"Just to be considerate of others," said Sponholz. "Just think about the other people because not everybody’s in a car."
Parking is still available for cars next to traffic, not closest to the sidewalk. That has been a little confusing for some drivers.
Milwaukee North Avenue protected bike lanes
Brostoff said he's confident people will get the hang of it, and he's hopeful this same set will be seen on streets across Milwaukee.