The Sun Link streetcar officially begins it’s operation on July 25th. Motorists and bicyclists will share the same travel lanes with Sun Link streetcars.
Be sure to read the green box bicycle guidelines (rules) laws as right turn on red ( a No No).
TPD tips:
Motorists
• Its ok to drive on the streetcar tracks. Roadway space will require vehicles to drive on the tracks. The streetcar tracks are safe and are not electrified.
• Honor Green bike boxes and pavement markings, particularly at intersections.
• Green bike boxes and pavement markings indicate a cyclist zone.
• Don’t stop on top of a green bike box.
• When the intersection light turns green, cyclists in the green bike box lead the way through the intersection, as motorists follow.
• Watch your right turns at red lights
• At intersections with a green bike box, motorists will not be permitted to make a right turn on red. Motorists turning right on green should signal and watch for cyclists to the right.
• Do not pass a streetcar at a streetcar stop and always be alert for bicyclists and pedestrians appearing near your vehicle.
• When parking your vehicle, ensure you stay within parking lines and do not block the Sun Link tracks.
• This is an obvious safety concern. Vehicles blocking the tracks will be towed if the owner cannot immediately be located.
Pedestrians
• Step over the track to avoid potential spills.
• High heels, wheelchairs, stroller wheels or canes could get caught in the tracks causing you to fall.
• New streetcar changes visibility.
• New streetcar stops and vehicles may block those on the road from seeing pedestrians, and may block pedestrians from seeing all the street action.
–Obey traffic signs and signals and cross at designated locations.
Bicyclists
• Be aware of shared space.
• Shared lane markings or “Sharrows” have two benefits:
(1) Assisting cyclists in positioning more safely within a lane and
(2) alerting motorists to the presence of cyclists in the same lane.
• Use green bike boxes.
• Look for green colored bike boxes that include a white bike symbol at some intersections.
• A bike box allows bicyclists to position themselves in front of vehicles at stop lights.
• Whether you are turning right, left or going forward, using the green bike box allows cyclists to be in front of traffic and more visible.
• Beware of door zones.
• Bicyclists traveling between the street car and parked vehicles should be aware of a driver in a parked car opening his or her door into your travel space.
• Bicyclists should also be aware of parked vehicles with a driver sitting behind the steering wheel. A last minute swerve may put you, the bicyclist, in the path of other vehicles or into the track gap.
*For more information regarding the Sun Link streetcar and terms used in this safety reminder, visit the Sun Link website.