Bike Lane Concept
Seventh Street
Conceptual Rendering
The Problem
Seventh Street is currently a westbound one-way street that has the potential to become a vital link in the east-west non-motorized transportation network.
Currently, there is an eastbound bike lane on Seventh St between Division and Maple St, allowing cyclists to use the signal at Division St to cross and continue biking eastbound. While this bike lane is useful for crossing Division, it doesn’t provide a substantial link for cyclists traveling east.
The Opportunity
However, the one-way operation provides the required space to extend the existing bike lane, create a westbound bike lane, and in the process, create a key piece of a safe and comfortable non-motorized infrastructure network.
The Idea
We came up with a conceptual idea with the intent of starting conversations with neighbors who use this street to get to work, school, and home to help visualize how improvements could help them get around safer and learn about what they want to see.
This is not an official design, but rather a feasible starting point for what improving non-motorized safety and accessibility could look like.
Conceptual Rendering
Design Ideas:
1
Two-way bike lanes on the south side of the street
Why this would improve safety:
Creates a dedicated space for people biking in both directions, reducing conflicts with traffic in the street and people on sidewalks.
Our reasoning:
There’s enough space for them while maintaining one vehicle lane and on-street parking on the north side. This utilizes the width of the street more efficiently for everyone.
Modular curbs to provide physical separation between vehicles and non-motorized users
2
Why this would improve safety:
Provides a clear physical barrier that keeps vehicles out of the bike space and reduces the risk of close calls or drifting into the lane.
Our reasoning:
They’re easy to install, movable, and creates a more comfortable environment for families, students, and new riders who may not feel confident biking next to traffic today.
One clearly marked eastbound vehicle travel lane
3
Why this would improve safety:
Eliminates confusion about whether drivers can use the width as two lanes and clearly signals that speeding and passing are not appropriate here.
Our reasoning:
Majority of drivers already treat it as one lane. Making that official would create a calmer, safer neighborhood street for everyone without impacting traffic flow.
On-street parking on the north side of the street
4
Keeps convenient parking for residents and visitors while supporting nearby homes and destinations along the corridor.
Our reasoning:
Parking already exists on the north side of the street, so keeping it there maintains what people rely on today and avoids unnecessary impacts on neighbors.
Before & After
Why Seventh Street?
It’s a vital connection
Seventh Street connects neighborhoods, schools, parks, and Munson, making it a great contender for becoming a key piece of a non-motorized transportation network.
There’s space for it
Most of Seventh Street is a one-way street, meaning there’s enough available width within the right of way to create a bike lane in each direction.
It’s due for repaving
The existing surface of 7th St is in poor condition, rated a 2/10 on the city’s PACER Road Rating scale. With the potential for repaving in the near future, it presents an easy opportunity to create a new link in the non-motorized transportation network when work is already happening.
Improves safety for everyone
Bike lanes help to calm traffic, reducing speeding through the neighborhood and improving safety for people walking, biking, and driving.
There’s already a traffic signal at Division St
A traffic signal is crucial for safe crossings across busy roads for non-motorized users.
It can accommodate school traffic
A flexible bike lane design along the school block could serve as a loading zone during school pick up and drop off, and function as part of the safe and comfortable bike corridor at all other hours. This allows the street to still support school needs without sacrificing all-day safety for people biking.