Comments on: Bike Safety Whack-A-Mole on Midtown Greenway http://www.thedeets.com/2007/08/08/bike-safety-whack-a-mole-on-midtown-greenway/ Consistently against torture. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:36:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: kohler http://www.thedeets.com/2007/08/08/bike-safety-whack-a-mole-on-midtown-greenway/#comment-2522 kohler Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:13:47 +0000 http://www.thedeets.com/2007/08/08/bike-safety-whack-a-mole-on-midtown-greenway/#comment-2522 Steve, it probably would help, but it seems like we need to know if there is a problem before determining a proper solution. Outside of a couple hours in the evening when traffic can be high due to the 1-way nature of 28th further to the West, there really isn't that much traffic on that street. Steve, it probably would help, but it seems like we need to know if there is a problem before determining a proper solution. Outside of a couple hours in the evening when traffic can be high due to the 1-way nature of 28th further to the West, there really isn’t that much traffic on that street.

]]> By: The Other Mike http://www.thedeets.com/2007/08/08/bike-safety-whack-a-mole-on-midtown-greenway/#comment-2521 The Other Mike Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:07:57 +0000 http://www.thedeets.com/2007/08/08/bike-safety-whack-a-mole-on-midtown-greenway/#comment-2521 First, I'll get my sarcasm out of the way--(1) there is a popular local cyclist? (2) I think we should build the bridge longer and extend it across the length of town...no, instead we should have the city install jet packs on our bikes so we can fly above those evil cars. Okay, seriously now...these bikes, are meant to be ridden on roads in addition to trails. Trails are a luxury, we are spoiled here because most cities have few, if any, trails and bikes have no choice but to share the roads. So, the real source of the problems are (1) cars that are unwilling to share 'their' roads--slow down and adjust to bikes and follow the rules of the road which specify the bike right of ways; and (2) bikes that are also unwilling to follow these same rules of the roads (like crossing only at crosswalks and running stop signs and red streetlights). Both of these 'special interest' groups then go to local govts and demand more rights and segregation from the other group infringing on their rights. Classic american, passive discrimination, unwilling and unable to get along with others who they are quick to paint as inferior beings who should just deal with it. Well, guess what, this is a cultural battle and you will never succeed merely by demanding more off-road trails because at some point all bikes have to use the road. What is required is to change the culture of both groups to find ways for everyone to understand and follow the agreed rules to share roads safely. Might I suggest we look at Europe, they have been doing this 10 times longer with more bike traffic on narrower roads. First, I’ll get my sarcasm out of the way–(1) there is a popular local cyclist? (2) I think we should build the bridge longer and extend it across the length of town…no, instead we should have the city install jet packs on our bikes so we can fly above those evil cars.

Okay, seriously now…these bikes, are meant to be ridden on roads in addition to trails. Trails are a luxury, we are spoiled here because most cities have few, if any, trails and bikes have no choice but to share the roads.

So, the real source of the problems are (1) cars that are unwilling to share ‘their’ roads–slow down and adjust to bikes and follow the rules of the road which specify the bike right of ways; and (2) bikes that are also unwilling to follow these same rules of the roads (like crossing only at crosswalks and running stop signs and red streetlights).

Both of these ‘special interest’ groups then go to local govts and demand more rights and segregation from the other group infringing on their rights. Classic american, passive discrimination, unwilling and unable to get along with others who they are quick to paint as inferior beings who should just deal with it. Well, guess what, this is a cultural battle and you will never succeed merely by demanding more off-road trails because at some point all bikes have to use the road. What is required is to change the culture of both groups to find ways for everyone to understand and follow the agreed rules to share roads safely.

Might I suggest we look at Europe, they have been doing this 10 times longer with more bike traffic on narrower roads.

]]> By: Stephen Gross http://www.thedeets.com/2007/08/08/bike-safety-whack-a-mole-on-midtown-greenway/#comment-2520 Stephen Gross Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:37:30 +0000 http://www.thedeets.com/2007/08/08/bike-safety-whack-a-mole-on-midtown-greenway/#comment-2520 Do you think they could improve the situation by adding a LOT of signage? You know, "bikes ahead!", "look out for the bikes!", "non-motorized crossing ahead!", "brake for bikers!". That sort of thing. Would that help? --Steve Do you think they could improve the situation by adding a LOT of signage? You know, “bikes ahead!”, “look out for the bikes!”, “non-motorized crossing ahead!”, “brake for bikers!”. That sort of thing. Would that help?

–Steve

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