Good Piece about Bike Lanes
Thread started by
FuzzBeast at 04.1.07 - 6:46 am
This is a pretty well written article about the failures of bike lanes, and how implementing bike lane projects hurts cycling.
Also, I totally agree with the last photo (as anyone who has ridden with me will attest, I ride about that far into the lane in LA traffic, even during the day)
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http://crankedmag.com/issues/issue-5/the-bicycle-driver/
(almost forgot the link)
FuzzBeast04.1.07 - 6:47 am
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i also ride on the far left of bike lanes or in the center of the right lane, but the funny this is that i got yelled at by another rider to "stay in the bike lane!"
i'm not listening.
meandmybluebike04.8.07 - 11:38 am
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I ride right on the line in bike lanes. Sometimes I get buzzed, but it doesn't matter because it lets me know they saw me.
Jeronimo04.8.07 - 2:25 pm
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Interesting article; I actually look to ride on streets were there is a bike lane. That said, I ride on the left edge of the bike lane and wear a helmet. I also do my part to make sure I'm seen by motorists. It seems like everytime I go on a ride I see somebody riding in the middle of the street with minimal or no lighting and not wearing a helmet. I think doing what we can to protect ourselves is an important part of bike safety.
I have a job where copius amounts of driving is a given and the sad truth is that most motorists are a menace to other car drivers and pedestrians as well. It's not just a lack of bike awareness; I was taken out in my 3000lb Honda. People aren't aware of anything outside of their climate controlled SUV. Spreading bike awareness is an important mission, but protecting yourself is something we can all do every time we ride. I doubt that bike helmets, lights, and reflective clothing will ever be cool, but as more of us do it other newer riders will follow. Agent Orange and that bright vest of hers is a perfect example; I'm looking for a nice reflective jacket or vest (but in yellow - I don't want to rip off your look...)
I'm not trying to preach; I'd just like to see ALL OF US live to see a bike-friendly Los Angeles.
Ride on.
Samhain04.8.07 - 3:48 pm
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I was thinking of getting a jacket too. Jeff rocks the illumiNITE jacket and every pic he's in.. he lights up like a tree.
IllumiNITE cycling gear
It sucks hear about any fallen riders and I glad to hear that guy got caught. I don't like hugging the curb and I'll leave that space so I won't win a door prize. Just like Jeronimo said... I too like to ride the white line. I've got the rear lights and have one on blinkie and steady. Everyone has their own style and like how they look and feel on their bikes. I like riding w/ all my lights and reflective tape all over my helmet. I've seen riders at night w/ NO lights and that's just crazy! Reflectors alone just don't cut it. Come to think of it... I never ride in the daytime. (Oh.. yes... the New Years ride. I did.)Oh you know what pisses me off?.It's when I see cyclists riding on the sidewalk... against traffic. Sidewalk... I don't mind as much but the 'against traffic' part... I just don't know how they do it.
digablesoul04.8.07 - 8:02 pm
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you can get irritated with cyclist on the sidewalk. I respect the fact that some people feel most comfortable there. Each person is an idividual, and have there own experiences, that might make them want to ride on the sidewalk. It is not illegal to ride on the sidewalks in the city of los angeles, as long as you are not riding in a whanton disgregarded for pedistrians. I sometimes ride on the sidewalk, because I want to go slow and not have to ride defensely againist cars.
I meant a guy who was an experinced rider, in this 40's, been riding for 20 years plus. Wore a helmet, bright yellow reflexive vest, flashing lights in the day time, and rode on the sidewalk. I asked him why we rides on the sidewalk, he told me he got hit by a car and wasn't comfortable on the streets anymore. Who is anybody to tell that man he is wrong for riding on the sidewalk.
I feel it is important to respect each individuals choice of doing what is right for themselves. You could make the agruement, that anybody who rides on the sidewalk, demonstrates that bicycle belong on the sidewalk. I would think that where education comes in for those that feel it is either one way or another.
sexy04.9.07 - 3:11 pm
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Well put... sexy. I've never really thought of it like that... especially the experience of that rider you mentioned.
digablesoul04.9.07 - 8:12 pm
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Sorry, I ain't buying it. Heaven knows that I understand what it's like to be afraid in this life, but sometimes you kinda have to get back on the horse, so to speak. Something tells me that Bright Flashing Sidewalk Guy just got mega-spooked by his experience, and unfortunately nobody ever nudged him to try riding back out in the street again.
As for me, I just wish that motorists who yell at me to "GET BACK ON THE SIDEWALK!" would drive by slowly enough for me to point out the obvious logical fallacy inherent in their request.
PC04.10.07 - 4:49 am
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If you ride on the sidewalk....you're letting the terrorists win.
kyber04.10.07 - 8:21 am
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After reading the article posted at the top of this thread, I have the following comments:
1. The argument that bike lanes create an "Inferior Space" is IMHO - a very weak one. I'm not saying that I don't see it at all - I do understand it. But I would contend that it is a Hasty Generalization ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasty_generalization ) to say that any significant number of drivers would think that bicycles don't have a right to the road where bike lanes don't exist. Those drivers already don't think we have a right to the road, and that is simply another invalid argument on their part.
2. The article does have some good points about bike lanes in door zones being considered "Bike Friendly". Just because there's a bike lane doesn't mean that it was designed properly.
After reading the posts in this thread, I have the following comments:
1. I second everything that Samhain said.
2. I ride everywhere - in the street with traffic, in bike lanes (on the line of course), and occasionally even on sidewalks.
BillyB04.10.07 - 12:42 pm
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today, i was in front of the left turn lane about to turn and a cop pulls up to me and says "can't you hear me?!" and he then proceeds to tell me that i should be on the side of the road or on the sidewalks, and crossing at the crosswalks. i said "california vehicle code 21202 states yada yada..." he then says: 'i could site you!' i repeated the vehicle code and said that i'm allowed to ride on the road and that he doesn't know the laws. he couldn't say shit, so he drove off. i was actually yelling at him too, so i'm almost shocked that he didn't give me a ticket for that. there's a lot of misinformation and lack of out there.
meandmybluebike04.11.07 - 11:01 pm
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Way To Go! You fended off one of them Daylight Crawlers!
Ride On!
Joe Borfo04.12.07 - 11:19 am
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Way to go Annie.....tell them suckas what for!! RIDE ON!!!!!
t.bone04.12.07 - 11:23 am
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