Tell me, U of A riders: is the pavement surface there unsafe?
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If you ride much through the U of A you may have noticed that the pavement through the main section of campus has some kind of slick surface on it, right where the bike route takes a sharp turn. Going straight is no problem, but making the 90 degree turn from standard concrete onto that orange-ish surface is pretty sketchy. I have personally seen two people fall there, and recently a friend of mine–and he is an exceptionally skilled rider–took a bad spill there.
I’m not the sort of person who believes in making everything as safe as possible for everyone, regardless the costs. We cyclists know we need to pay attention to the road surface, and my friend is not blaming the University for his spill. But he went down hard enough to break his helmet and knock himself out. It could have been a lot worse had he not been wearing a helmet.
I’m wondering, should I ask the University to change the pavement surface just on the corner? What do you think?
–Erik Ryberg
January 26th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
yes, it is very unsafe! i personally wiped out on my bike while turning the corner when it was raining. the rain made the surface more slippery and worsened the fall. it would be really great if you could do something to help the u of a bikers out.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
It is very sketchy. I am always leery taking that turn. I don’t understand why it’s textured at one point (and good to ride on) and slick at the rest.
January 27th, 2008 at 11:38 am
If it wasn’t so slick the U of A cycling team might be able to figure out a way to incorporate the campus mall into our crit. As it is now it’s far too dangerous.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I’ve always been leery of transitions between asphalt and concrete, be it motorcycle or bicycle– especially after a light rain. Add a fast turn or a moment of inattention and you’re down in a heartbeat. I think its a good Idea.—DG
January 27th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Yes- ask them to change it, especially since it is a bike lane. My friend had a bad crash there, also. ~Molly
January 28th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I have taken a spill there too one day when it was raining…my bike just completely slid out from under me…
January 29th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I have seen several people go down… One after I swore to remember to tell her about it and spaced it out (sorry again Lauren). Replacing the surface would make the whole area safer.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Since the red pavement seems to be used for differentiating the “no bicycle” area in front of the Union, it doesn’t make a lot of sense that they should extend it 20 ft. beyond the end of that zone just far enough to cross the bike path – and then end it. Why not end it at the end of the no bike zone?
September 8th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I saw the red tile claim another victim today at noon, not the big section you refer to above, but a guy was riding South on the next crossover to the East of that one, turning to ride East on the South side of the mall – his tire rolled over one of the small decorative red tile patches as he was banking through a turn and BAM! That tire slid out from under him and down he went. I saw this from the other side of the mall, so he was up and on his way before I could get his attention to contact you and add his name to the list of red tile crashee’s.
Remember kids – fear the red tile!