Indy DPW to Block Motorists from Monon Trail

Preparing for new bollards at East 49th Street

In apparent response to media coverage (on WTHR television and in the Indianapolis Star) about motorists driving on local multiuse trails, Indy’s Department of Public Works has taken action. Beginning on March 22, 2023, DPW has begun the installation of bollards to block vehicular traffic on certain segments of the Monon Trail; as well as some portions of the Pennsy Trail. Similar traffic-calming devices have long been in place on trails in Hamilton County, especially the highly popular Monon Trail.

Indy’s Most Dangerous Bike Trail Intersections: Number Four

After the senseless death of local cyclist Frank Radaker at Monon Trail and 86th Street (October, 2021), members of the Indy bicycle community asked Indy officials for changes to make cycling in the city safer. To our knowledge, there has been a change. By “a change,” we mean only one: traffic engineers reprogrammed the crossing lights for that one intersection; giving trail users a window of a few seconds while no motor vehicle lane has a green light. Now, if those engineers could just reprogram the drivers who ignore those highly visible “no turn on red” signs at the intersection…

Although it's certainly dangerous, in our opinion the intersection where Frank died is not the most dangerous street crossing in Indy, and not even the most dangerous intersection of a multi-use trail with a street. Without further ado, here is our next nomination for the bottom six street crossings in Marion County; the site where Radaker was killed…

Indy’s Most Dangerous Bike Trail Intersections: Number Two

After the death of a well-known local cyclist near the Monon Trail crossing at 86th Street (October, 2021), local cyclists could be seen calling for changes to make cycling in the Circle City safer. As far as we know, the sole change in response to their petition was for traffic engineers reprogram the pedestrian crossing lights at that intersection, which now allows trail users a 10-second window when none of the travel lanes for motor vehicles has a green light. Now, if engineers could just reprogram the drivers who routinely ignore the “no turn on red” signs…

Although decidedly dangerous, in our opinion the intersection where the man perished isn't the most dangerous bike crossing in Indy, not even the most dangerous intersection of a trail and a street. Without further ado, here is another in our nominations for the bottom six street crossings in Marion County…

What Cyclists Wish Drivers Knew #6: That White Line is not a Force Field

If you're a cyclist and you live anywhere there are on-road bike paths, you've been there, too. Let me recount: you're pedaling merrily along in the middle of a bike lane: maybe 30 to 40 inches of space next to the curb, marked by a thick white line between you and traffic moving 20 to 30 MPH faster than you are. Maybe there are arrows and icons of cyclists on the pavement, maybe there's a sign along the roadside that says something to the effect of "No motorized vehicles in bicycle lane."

Who Wins When a Bicycle and Car Collide?

Ever wondered? Well, as of just last week, I can tell you from personal experience. But I won't: instead, I'll just show you a couple of pictures for comparison...

This is what happens when someone bumps into your truck in an apartment complex parking lot...

...and this is just some of what happens when someone chatting on a cell phone cuts off a cyclist while making a right turn across a bike lane:

...Any questions?

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