I recently attended an open house at the Boise City Hall to review alternative routes for bicycle lanes. Although Main and Idaho have always been the primary east-west traffic lanes, they are top on the list for consideration.
These streets should remain with three traffic lanes and parking on both sides to maintain commuter traffic flow, access to downtown retailers, entertainment venues and restaurants. Encouraging more bicycle traffic will only create conflicts and pose major safety issues. Jefferson Street seems to be a much better alternative.
Incorporated in the installation of bike lanes, green boxes will be installed at intersections for bicyclists to merge from bike lanes into the right traffic lane and stop directly in front of motor vehicles. Motor vehicle operators will not be allowed to enter the box or turn right on a red light. Once the box is clear of bikes and the light is green, motor vehicles can proceed forward or turn right but must first yield to pedestrians in the cross walks. This combination should just about stop traffic flow in the right lanes during busy hours.
I encourage everyone to log on to the ACHD site and provide your input by Wednesday, March 30.
Tim Keith, Boise
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