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September 6, 2007
Bikes in Tunnel! Now You Can Bike to Work.
The new "Bikes in Tunnel" warning lights were officially turned on this morning, just about an hour ago, by Chattanooga's traffic engineers. These signs have been in the works for a long time, and it's nice to see them operational. This is another important step in making Chattanooga a bicycle-friendly city. The lights are posted outside the Missionary Ridge and Stringer's Ridge Tunnels, two places that have been rather dangerous for cyclists because of the low visibility inside the tunnels and the often excessive speed of motorists through these narrow passages. Thanks to Philip Pugliese, the city's bicycle coordinator, along with all the folks at Outdoor Chattanooga and the City for making this happen.
Now there's no excuse not to bike to work this Friday. Here's the info:
Ride Your Bike & Join Us for Free Breakfast at our new location on the Walnut Street Square - South End of the Walnut Street Bridge. 7:00-8:30 am!
Choose your own route using our website map or ride with us meeting at:
* Tennessee Riverpark - Fishing Pier Entrance (7:00 AM)
* The Incline Railway - Rear Parking Lot (7:00 AM)
* Red Bank - A group may start forming at the Duck Pond (7:00 AM)
* Signal Mountain / Mountain Creek Road - Anyone interested in meeting at base of mountain?
Contact: Philip Pugliese, ppugliese@outdoorchattanooga.com
Read the full press release after the break...
Read more entries on biking in Chattanooga:
Ready for the Tour de Georgia? We Are.
Pick up a Rock/Creek Specialized Water Bottle >
... or a Rock/Creek Hincapie Jersey >
(Chattanooga, TN) New ‘Bikes in Tunnel’ warning lights will enhance safety for motorists and bicyclists traveling through the Brainerd Road Missionary Ridge and Cherokee Boulevard Stringer’s Ridge tunnels. Warning lights will be activated by cyclists prior to entering the tunnel by a push button and will flash for a set period, allowing time for the cyclist to ride through the tunnel.
The warning sign and flasher will notify motorists that there is a cyclist present making full use of the lane as prescribed by Tennessee State law. To further comply with Tennessee’s safe passing law which requires motorists to “leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet (3’) and shall maintain such clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle,” signs at the Missionary Ridge Tunnel will advise motorists to change lanes to pass, while the Stringer’s Ridge Tunnel will be posted with ‘Do Not Pass’.
‘As these tunnels serve as primary transportation corridors to downtown Chattanooga, bicycle commuters will welcome the addition”, said Philip Pugliese, bicycle coordinator with Outdoor Chattanooga. “Motorists will of course appreciate the early warning that a slower moving vehicle is ahead,” he continued.
Andy Clarke, the executive director of the League of American Bicyclists, recalls: “I remember riding into Chattanooga twelve years ago, disappearing into one or other of these tunnels and wishing that there was a warning signal exactly like this! Congratulations on taking this important, and very visible, step towards being a more bicycle friendly community. And full marks for helping motorists understand how to safely operate around cyclists.” Chattanooga has been designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League since 2003.
At 302 feet in length, the Stringer’s Ridge Tunnel connects the City of Red Bank to Chattanooga and is an important route from Signal Mountain and the Mountain Creek Road area. The two tube, dual lane, Missionary Ridge Tunnel links Brainerd Road with McCallie and Bailey Avenues and is 1005 feet in length.
The new lights will be activated by City Traffic Engineering on Thursday, September 6, at 9:00 am. A brief ceremony will be held at the westbound entrance of the Missionary Ridge Tunnel (Brainerd side) at that time.
Announcements | By Mark McKnight | 10:24 AM
