Portland & 18th Ave
By Hannah Deits, Community Member
The Main Problem: Cars Use Bike Lane to TurnThe intersection of Portland Avenue and 18th Avenue can be difficult to navigate during peak driving times. The intersection’s congestion is largely dictated by Belmont University’s class schedule, and while the traffic at these times cannot be eliminated, this particular intersection could be improved. The main issue is that drivers on Portland Avenue, who are aiming to turn right onto 18th Avenue South, use the bike lane as a turn lane. This is problematic for two main reasons, first the bikers trying to use their lane are put at risk by the drivers using the lane incorrectly to turn. The bike lane is congested as a result of the misuse by car drivers and this action is also very dangerous, as drivers unaware of their misuse may inadvertently hit a bike rider.
Additionally, the drivers correctly using the singular lane are put at risk. A driver correctly using the lane could go to turn right and crash into a car incorrectly using the bike lane to turn. I have witnessed both iterations of this issue when heading to this intersection to turn. Typically, drivers using the bike lane incorrectly realize their mistake and yield to the car adjacent to them. The issue is when the intersection is more congested, the potential for an accident largely increases. I do not experience this happening on 18th heading towards Portland, but I could see this being an issue on this route as well.
A Tactical Urbanism SolutionBefore COVID, I was an intern at the Civic Design Center, and I had the opportunity to assist with the installation of a traffic calming roundabout off of 12 Ave S. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt empowered by the opportunity to see a tactical urbanism project come to life. I feel confident that a solution for the issue on Portland Avenue would be a reasonable undertaking, especially given my experience with tactical urbanism projects.
A simple road marker could block drivers from intruding into the bike lane, protect riders, and this would be a quick and inexpensive fix for traffic calming. The intersection of Portland and 18th is highly trafficked by those living in the 12 S / Belmont neighborhood, as well as Belmont University students, and it is in everyone's best interest to make steps towards fixing this intersection so as to keep drivers and bike riders safe.
The design proposal, above, shows an intersection intervention that could better organize 18th and Portland. This design shortens crossing distance and designates cycle pathways through the intersection to reduce confusion among drivers and cycles alike. It also helps to create visibility for pedestrians crossing from the new bulb-out areas highlighted in orange on the diagram. These bulb-out areas, shown in orange, could be exciting public space placemaking locations. Even though there aren’t any cycle tracks south and west of this intersection, the bike boxes in the proposal help to prioritize micromobility when exiting the cycle infrastructure and moving to the streets without bike lanes.