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<br /> , section from Pearl Street to Alder. <br /> D. Shared bicycle/auto lanes 13th Avenue at Pearl and Patterson streets (see news <br /> release dated October 14 for additional information) <br /> III. Coexistence with Cars <br /> A. Safety <br /> 1. Some people find comfort in our bike lanes. Bike lanes provide a <br /> special area set aside for their use. Others mention that having a path <br /> (riverbank or Amazon Park or Fern Ridge Path) as part of their <br /> commute allows them some peace from the noise and challenge of <br /> riding with autos. <br /> 2. The City did a study of the 18th Avenue bike lanes -before and after - <br /> and determined that the bike accident rate decreased after the bike lanes <br /> were added. Because of the small number of accidents involved, the <br /> statistical accuracy of the study can't be determined. However, state <br /> bicycle officials like to send the report to skeptics of bike lanes. <br /> 3. Weather can cause problems for cyclists and motorists. Rain and <br /> darkness associated with fall and winter limit motorists' visibility, and <br /> bicyclists are difficult for motorists to see during those limited visibility <br /> times. Lighting systems are improving for bicyclists, and the use of <br /> reflectors and light or bright clothing is helpful. Some cyclists choose <br /> not to ride during those days of limited visibility. Motorists complain <br /> about cyclists who choose to ride at night without lights because they <br /> are afraid they will run into them. Due to safety concerns, the <br /> Jefferson Area Neighbors and Westside Quality Neighborhood <br /> organizations chose to spend block grant funds to light the Fern Ridge <br /> bike path, generally from Jefferson Street to City View. <br /> B. Knowledge and skills <br /> 1. Speeds -Bicyclists are generally uncomfortable with a great differential <br /> in speeds between the motorists and cyclists. Noise, wind, and <br /> particularly the difficulty in merging into or across lanes with high auto <br /> speed (more than 35 mph) are the problems. On the other hand, some <br /> motorists do not realize how fast cyclists can ride (12-20 mph is not <br /> uncommon) and do not realize that in the downtown, their speeds might <br /> match those of motorists. Conflicts occur when a motorist wishes to <br /> cross a bike lane and the cyclist catches back up with the motorist as <br /> the car slows down to make the turn. It is especially a problem when <br /> the motorist does not signal the turn. Because they are crossing a <br /> through lane (the bike lane) or through traffic (the bicyclist), motorists <br /> i <br /> <br />