At 615pm on Monday, April 4th, I sat on a bench below Oliver Hall to observe the intersection of Harrison and Main Streets. The temperature was around 75 degrees with a few clouds and a light breeze. This intersection has heavy bicycle, pedestrian and auto traffic including buses, cars, motorcycles and scooters. There were several loud buses that emitted gray exhaust when starting forward after stopping at the stoplight. Approximately 4 cars, several SUVs, had their windows rolled down so you could hear ridiculously loud music. In between the auto traffic the intersection is surprisingly quiet. A vendor selling VCU Final Four shirts, hats and the like was set up in the 7-11 parking lot across Harrison Street from where I sat. He lured in several of the 7-11 customers. On the northeast corner of the intersection is Piccola Italy (restaurant) and on the southeast and southwest corners are VCU buildings. The northwest corner (7-11) had the most pedestrian and bicycle traffic.There are no bike lanes on Harrison or Main Streets so bicycle riders either go with the auto traffic or ride on sidewalks which line both streets. There were relatively few students going in and out of the VCU buildings (Oliver Hall) at the intersection. Pedestrians were casual in crossing the streets - sometimes going against the stoplight. During this observation there were no cars honking and no yelling. Main Street had more auto traffic than Harrison Street. More female than male pedestrians were observed but both genders were typically wearing sunglasses and had either a purse, backpack, messenger bag or a combination. The majority of pedestrians were wearing jeans - long or short- short sleeved shirts and appeared to be in their late 'teens, 20's or 30's.
