In some cities, bicycle lanes have become a regular part of life where they were previously unheard of. Throughout the United States and the world, many have begun cycling for recreation or transportation due to the pandemic as a way to spend time outdoors and get some fresh air amidst lockdowns. While the pandemic is starting to ease, many people who took to riding their bikes have continued to do so, making changes such as implementing bike lanes as a necessity to protect cyclists and drivers alike.
However, as with any change, many are suspicious or opposed to changes to their cities, voicing their concerns about how it may affect their daily routines or the state of traffic and otherwise preferring what they are accustomed to. That is why temporary projects are an effective way of testing the waters and introducing people to new ideas.
Temporary Projects Help Explore the Most Effective Ways to Implement Changes
With any experiment, the purpose is to test the viability of a project to determine whether it can be a lasting solution that people can benefit from. Presently, bike lanes are a necessity, but some argue that it can be difficult to predict how they may impact commuters or traffic in the long term. That is why using temporary barriers is a safe and reliable compromise for many cities, allowing them to test its viability without committing to the cost of new infrastructure and any potential shortcomings of their implementation.
One cost-effective means of building temporary bike lane barriers is using planters, such as those offered by TerraCast, to separate oncoming traffic from cyclists. TerraCast’s resin planters are well suited to pilot and interim designs (installation for over 1-month) but are also viable as a long-term solution, as seen in cities such as New York.
Elements to Consider – Safety, Aesthetics, Cost, Durability, and Maintenance
When implementing temporary bike lanes, there are a few things to consider—from safety to durability—before settling on a solution. With that in mind, several elements make TerraCast’s planters an ideal solution for most cities’ needs.
TerraCast Planters are:
- More Durable than Flex Posts – Resin planters offer greater durability, being resistant to water and weather damage, in addition to never peeling, rusting, or corroding. By contrast, flex posts can typically only withstand a limited number of hits before they crack and fall over.
- Softer Transition and Easier Handling than Jersey Barriers – Jersey barriers are usually made from concrete or plastic and are much larger and heavier to handle than resin planters. It is more difficult to reconfigure the layout of a bike lane that uses them while being more obtrusive and less aesthetically pleasing.
- Aesthetically Pleasing – Planters can create a welcoming environment for cyclists and commuters by using plants to create a natural barrier that is pleasing to the eye and more aesthetic than concrete or plastic barriers.
- Movable – Resin planters are lightweight and easy to move, making them ideal for quick and easy placement or reconfiguration.
- Cost-effective – A resin planters’ durability and light weight make them an ideal short-term or long-term solution, saving cities money by avoiding more costly temporary or permanent infrastructure.
- Environmentally friendly – TerraCast’s resin planters consist of up to 100 percent PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials. They are an eco-friendly and cost-effective way of creating a greener environment.
Care and Maintenance of the Plants
TerraCast’s Self-Watering systems can cut the watering frequency by 85 percent, reducing the labor cost associated with watering plants. This makes them an ideal solution that is easy to clean and maintain while creating a green and pleasing aesthetic for city streets that its residents can enjoy.
To help create a cost-effective, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and eco-friendly way of implementing temporary bike lane barriers for city streets, consider TerraCast today. To learn more about how we can help you achieve this goal, contact our amazing team today!