By Brian Webb | FOX 10
PHOENIX – The city of Phoenix has unveiled its first and only two-way protected bike lane 10 days ago – and there’s already been several accidents in the area.
The new lane stretches down 3rd Avenue, from McDowell to Roosevelt Street in the city’s bike-friendly downtown area.
Before, the street was for cars only. Since the switch, neighbors say there’s been a handful of confused – and possibly impaired – drivers getting a crash course on the new 3rd Avenue.
It’s a skinny stretch of street with added safety features for bikers braving downtown streets and triple digit heat.
“I think it’s a good idea in theory, [but] they’ve got to work out some bugs,” said biker Dean Anderson. “People ignore it and people drive through it too fast. It’s crazy. But if they do it right it’ll work fine.”
But even the best-laid plans can come with problems. Within days several drivers failed to navigate the new rules of the road, running right into several protective and reflective bollards along the way. One has already been replaced by a barricade.
