The City of Richardson has installed new bike lanes on Custer Road and Grove Road. The reaction has been mostly positive. Since these are new to Richardson, what do drivers and bicyclists need to know when driving in or near these lanes?

During the visitor section of Monday’s City Council work session, residents representing the Canyon Creek Homeowners Association praised the effect the lanes have had in only three weeks.

Resident Charlie Bissell noted a slowdown in traffic, many cyclists using the lanes, and people using the nearby sidewalks when previously they might not because of the traffic speed.

Dave Carter gave a presentation to the City Council on the bike lane progress. Carter’s official title is “Assistant Director of Development Services; Transportation and Traffic.” Whew! That translates in the Head Honcho of Traffic for Richardson.

The right hand bicycle and parking lane may not be used for passing or travel in a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle traveling or passing another vehicle in the right lane may be subject to a citation.

Carter said that they had received compliments as well as some complaints. Some of the complaints include concern over car doors opening, debris building up in the right hand lane and even whether or not bicyclists ought to be on the roadway.

Carter pointed out that the City sweeps the streets on a regular basis and that bicyclists are considered vehicles according to state law. The Texas State Transportation Code states, “A person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle.”

The Echo asked Carter about some specific rules and issues drivers and cyclists will encounter with these new bike lanes.

“The rules haven’t really changed,” Carter told us. “There already was a single left travel lane.”

What changed? The roads are now divided into a 12-foot right hand lane and a left hand travel lane. The right hand lane leaves 8 feet for parking a vehicle where allowed and 4 feet for a bicycle to pass a parked car. Parking in front of homes will not be prohibited.

“A 50 foot dashed line has been added at intersections as kind of a warning to cyclists and motorists,” He said.

When drivers want to turn right making a right turn from the roadway with a bike lane, the driver will have to travel in the left lane, signal and move to the right lane to turn. Operators of cars parked on the roadway will have to be careful when opening car doors.

Carter pointed out that they always had to be careful, of course. Now with an explicit bike lane they will have signage reminding motorists and cyclists of this.

“Everyone should be cautious of motorists parking and opening car doors. Cyclists can also occupy the travel lane if the right is blocked,” Carter noted such as when the right lane is blocked by a large delivery vehicle or work truck.

Cyclists’ laws of the road have not explicitly changed. Bicyclists will have to come to a complete stop at intersections as required by law. However, cyclists can go straight though intersections that are marked “Right Turn Only” for motorists.

“Now cyclists can continue through. We have added a plaque allows them to go straight, and keeps the cyclists in the least populated lane,” Carter said.

Speed limits have not changed. These roads had a 30 MPH speed limit previously, and a 20 MPH speed limit is school zones where applicable.

He stated that the Custer Road lanes are finished and the Grove Road lanes should be completed soon. Certain regulatory signage is being produced and should be installed within a few weeks.