DEAR SUN SPOTS: What is the purpose of the extra lane on Pine Street in Lewiston? There’s a parking lane, bike lane and another lane. No one seems to know.

Also, why are there no direct flights from Portland to Quebec, especially in the summer? Thank you. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: For your first question Sun Spots turned to Sgt. David Chick, inspector of police for the Lewiston Police Department, who wrote the following:

“I have not personally seen anything quite like that in other communities where I have observed bicycle lanes being established. The explanation I was given for this was that it was to provide a buffer to guard against doors opening from parked vehicles infringing upon the bicycle lane, and the engineer felt that there was space available to accommodate the design.

“I am also being educated on the proposed aim for legislatively expanding the traffic law rights of bicyclists. I am not aware of specific statutes or ordinance as yet pertaining to the bicycle lanes. The stated rationale for that extra space would seemingly apply more on the one-way downhill stretch of Ash Street, if bicyclists are still required to operate following directional guidelines of traffic (but the width of the roadway was not quite adequate).

“See www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2063.html (bicycle operation laws).

“I have observed that having the lane so awkwardly pushed out toward the center of the road it can cause a dilemma when there are multiple bicycles riding abreast or a cyclist is holding at the ‘inside’ line of that bicycle lane, which then does not provide a three-foot buffer to the passing vehicle lane as is required in statute.

“See www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2070.html (vehicle passing bicycle; distance buffer).

“This is a fairly new applied concept here in our city, and I would like to hope that as we adapt to the incorporation of the bicycle lanes there will be additional modifications where fiscally prudent, and that motorists also will learn to adjust some of their behaviors as well.”

As for the lack of direct flights to Quebec (Sun Spots guesses you mean Quebec City), routes are based on cost and demand. If the route was profitable, someone would fly it.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Last year someone offered a balsam fir Christmas wreath workshop. For a fee ($15?) all supplies were available, plus someone showing how to make the wreath. Anyone know if that is happening this year? — Edie Williams, therealedie@gmail.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots doesn’t know of anything, but perhaps readers will.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: As we approach the holiday season, I would like to take this time to address an issue I encounter daily on my job. I am a package delivery driver for a worldwide company, and would like to ask all your readers who order products online to please take the time to make sure we are able to properly identify your house or apartment building.

If you live in an apartment, make sure you include your apartment number in your order and have a number on your door.

If your house is close to the road, make sure all your numbers are visible. A brown house with black numbers is not visible at night (which comes early this time of year). Replace numbers that have fallen off.

If your house sits back from the road and can only be identified from your mailbox, make sure all the numbers are still there. Both sides with numbers are very helpful.

If you live on a road that has all the mailboxes at the beginning of the road, make sure you put numbers at the end of your driveway.

Delivery companies employ several seasonal drivers during the holiday season, so the driver you have had for the last 10 months might not be the same person for the holidays.

Being able to identify your house not only helps delivery personnel but also emergency response people The dedicated employees who are out there day after day want you to receive your packages on the day they are promised. Thank you. — Brian Dumas, redsoxfan12341@hotmail.com

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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