MUSKEGON, MI – More than 100 “wave” barriers placed along an approach to the Muskegon beach are part of an experiment to provide more protection to bicyclists in the area.
The plastic barriers, placed in groups of two on Tuesday, May 3, are along the very western end of Sherman Boulevard and the city’s Beach Street, which leads to Pere Marquette beach.
In addition, a right-lane through-way for vehicles traveling from West Sherman Boulevard onto Beach Street in Muskegon has been closed off temporarily. That forces motorists to stop at a stop sign before turning right.
The barriers and the new stop are part of efforts to explore how to reduce speeding and protect bicyclists in the area, Muskegon Public Works Director Leo Evans told MLive.
The barriers and equipment to count vehicles were loaned to the city by the League of Michigan Bicyclists and were erected by volunteers, Evans said. They will be removed just before the Memorial Day weekend, he said.
Some were meant to be placed close to the “curve” to the beach near Beachwood Park but were not, Evans said. As a result, some of the barriers will be moved, he said.
The city also will place its speed zone trailer in the area, which records vehicle’s speeds, Evans said. Data from the trailer will be gathered for the last week or two the barriers are up and then compared with data from after they are taken down, Evans said.
“Certainly, it’s a trial period at this time,” Evans said. “If the results go well, we’ll think about how we can make this more permanent.”
The area is residential with a posted speed limit of 25 mph.
Members of that Beachwood Neighborhood took to Facebook to deride the barriers and new stop, with one saying, “there are no words to describe my anger” and another calling the changes “totally stupid.”
Some criticized the fact that some of the barriers, shaped like a wave, had been flattened by vehicles. Evans said that proves it is a dangerous area for bicyclists.
He said he was surprised by the angry reactions to the barriers. However, he admitted the city could have done a better job of communicating their purpose and the fact they are temporary.
It was concerns of neighbors that prompted city staff to explore ways to protect bicyclists on the road shoulder, Evans said. Staff proposed, and neighbors seemed to like, placing flower planters along the road shoulders but they later determined there wasn’t enough room, Evans said.
Although many are calling the area of the new stop sign a “three-way stop,” it is a two-way stop. Only traffic on Sherman stops, and there are few vehicles traveling east on Sherman in that area.
The city has a plan to improve bicycling areas on the west end of Sherman, especially considering Muskegon County’s plans to develop the second phase of Dune Harbor Park in that area, Evans said.
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