I wanted to get back to Molnar's WTF post from a couple of days ago about the triathlete that was killed last Saturday. Naturally, everyone at work was asking me what I thought (as one of the few bikers and triathletes they know) about the event. My first explanation is that it was a completely freak occurrence - wide open road, daylight, drunk driver. But that always came around to the discussion about bikes and cars cohabitating.
The reaction of one person to John's original post was to just avoid riding on the road. That's the last thing we should do. If anything, we need to take to the streets more often. When you go to truly bike-friendly cities the one thing they all have in common is bikes are everywhere. Thus, motorists are used to seeing them and come to expect them to be on the road or just around that corner or possibly coming down that alley. Being out there and visible will change driving habits in the long haul.
We don't have that in the Ville. But we could. It's a classic chicken & egg scenario. Bike friendly cities didn't build facilities for bikes and people just started biking. The bikers were there and demanded it. You need a movement. You need people on bikes out on the streets. This is my call to arms or rather... legs. Get on your bikes and ride!
peace.
sorry man..i want to live in a city where bikes on the streets were the norm, but i have a feeling if i want that...i'll have to move to portland, because i feel like it'll be like building a east end bridge here...never will happen.
ReplyDeletethis is such a difficult situation. i totally agree with what tommy is saying but at the same time refuse to accept it. the more we're out in the street riding the more awareness is going to develop. at the same time, this is exactly why i run stop signs and lights, split traffic and ride in the middle of the road.
ReplyDeletewhile i understand i'm probably pissing more drivers off than doing much good, but i'm doing what i can to stay alive on a road that was designed and built with no regard to my mode of transportation.
i've been kicking this around in my head a bit since reading. as cyclist w/o a serious support from within the local government, we (cyclist) must do what they have to do in order to remain safe on the streets of louisville.
ReplyDeletethe government seems to think if they put a couple of bike lanes and a few "share the lane" signs, they can label the city as a cycling friendly city.
ok...so how many of you would take your family on a nice bike ride on these bike lanes??? what about the bridge?? i mean, there's a sign that says "share the lane!!!"
new albany and louisville could really make a huge impact on being a cycling commuter freindly area if they'd open up the old car/train bridge to bike traffic.
seriously, do you think riding the 2nd street bridge during rush hour is safe? do you think people want to share the road with you after being locked up in an office, or cubicle all day.
there are so many social issues to deal with in our local society alone, than just a ride your bike issue.
we're way over worked! we spend more time working our asses off and very little time enjoying life...remember...we're given about 70-80 years on this big ball of dirt. i've just wittenessed how fast 20 years has flown by with my high school reunion happening this weeknd.
we are spread way to much. urban spawl. nuff said on that.
so..before the worms get out of the can too much on this post...just know i'm not slighting the post or the posters wishes...i want it just as much as anyone else, but i just feel as a local community, we have some bigger issues that need to confronted and unfortunately, the powers that be seemed to like the status quo...
Good responses and no offense taken. Tommy, as you suggest it's going to take the culmination of a lot of factors to make this happen. One of those factors is not sticking our heads in our shells by not riding. Being out there starts to build critical mass that can be used to start to push the powers that be. One thing those powers that be rely on is votes. Get enough votes and voices and you can enact change.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about 2nd Street Bridge at rush hour. As as cyclist, you do have to make good choices even if we do have the legal right. We're definitely not going to win any friends by riding across the bridge at rush hour.
One of the things I have started to adopt is the 5-mile rule. If it's within 5 miles of my house, I'm riding my bike - grocery, haircut, coffee. I know it's just a little thing but it gets a car off the road and another bike out there.
I was the poster that made the comment about not riding on the road. I wasn't necessary telling people that is what they should do, but people should know our roads are not safe. Our roads are largely not safe for cyclist because of driver behavior, but also cyclist put them selfs in danger by doing stupid things like running stop signs, red lights, riding in between traffic. I have done enough road riding to know that these things put you in inner sections at the wrong time, make it harder for motorist to see you and doesn't help get non cyclist on our side. It makes the roads more dangerous for cyclist that do try to obey the rules.
ReplyDeleteCyclist need stronger laws to protect us, but they will never be supported when you have people not falling the rules.
"One of the things I have started to adopt is the 5-mile rule. If it's within 5 miles of my house, I'm riding my bike - grocery, haircut, coffee. I know it's just a little thing but it gets a car off the road and another bike out there"
ReplyDeletethis is a great rule. when i don't have the kiddos with me, i will adopt this rule too!!!