Blake and Market St Protected Bike Lane pieces removed for "aesthetics"

In May of 2025 riders in the Blake and Market protected bike lanes noticed that flex posts had been removed along the lane. It turns out DOTI had contracted out the work and removed flex posts along both protected bike lanes. The flex posts added vertical elements to the already in place Zicla blocks that helped demarcate the lane even more. The reasoning for the removal was thin, Nancy Kuhn, DOTI Spokesperson, said

"The flex posts had to go for greater visibility and to enhance the overall aesthetics,"

This conflicts with DOTI's own policies of safety first. Stating a 3 foot flex post harms visibility is a big stretch and laughable at best.

DOTI also went on to say they had not deviated from their own design guidelines

"The manual doesn’t include a design for Zicla Zippers yet, as we’ve been testing them. So, no, we haven’t deviated"

Except that it does. DOTI's own Bikeway Design Manual clearly mentions 20 foot spacing and recycled rubber curbs, which is exactly what Zicla Zippers are.

Riders also noticed that drivers were now parking closer to the blocks past the buffer so the likelihood of being struck with an opening car door increased, thereby negating the protection of a protected lane in the first place.

This is also a budgetary mishap as DOTI admitted it spent $200k on the removal of the bike lane delineators which came from money set aside for neighborhood transportation and traffic calming, not removal of installed infrastructure. The original installation was $700k , their removal cost around 28% of the installation and pulled money from a fund that could have gone to more infrastructure.

To be clear the Ziclas were already installed. The flexposts helped add to the visual friction necessary to slow drivers, highlight the Zicla's location when covered in snow, and added reflective elements to the lanes that aided at night.

To add insult to injury Zicla's own website blog highlighted the need for vertical delineators:

The best course of action would have been to leave the lanes as they were. They had been functioning well since their installation in 2023. It is clear that the backlash had more to do with NIMBYism and misguided understanding of safety from a mayor who does not comprehend non-car travel.