BikePGH Message Board Archive

pinch points

One of my least favorite street segments is Perry Hwy in West View, northbound, heading uphill from Center Ave. For about 0.1 mile, there is nowhere to go to get out of the way of traffic. Never mind avoiding The Door Zone: Even if your right handlebar is nearly scratching the paint off the cars parked on the street, traffic will stack up behind you because there is simply no space for them to get by. Oncoming traffic is fairly continuous.

The sidewalk is not an option. Very busy. There is no parallel street that would serve as a worthy option. (Well, yeah, there's one, with an insanely stiff grade. Easier to push the bike.)

What does anyone else do in similar situations? I just duck in between parked cars and wait for traffic to clear. Or walk it on the sidewalk.

What other examples exist? Any alternative paths to those?

stuinmccandless

2008-10-02 11:19:03

I tend to grit my teeth, take the lane, and just push through, as a general rule.

I know exactly what you're talking about with that segment of 19; not nice at all. I actually prefer the short climb up Bronx from Center to Highland, then down Highland to a left at the light on Perry Ave. Highland's busy, but at least it's got a modicum of shoulder, plenty of places to bail out if necessary, and is downhill to the light.

Of course, I'm coming down Center from Bellevue, so Bronx is a lot more logical for me than for someone coming up Perry Ave past Center.

reddan

2008-10-02 14:39:58

I don't have many difficult stretches like the one you describe, but I generally will take the lane and ride as hard as I can until I see a break where I can let a few cars go by then I will merge back into the lane and repeat.

I generally attempt to share the road as much as possible in these situations.

rsprake

2008-10-08 02:41:50