Re:Pop-up bike lanes show that demand exists
by coldpie on Friday June 23, 2017 @09:39AM
(#14619053)
I actually take the bus most places, I only drive once or twice a week, to the grocery store or so. I have no real skin in this game. In my experience, and in the OP's experience, "share the road" is a dumb, dangerous solution that leaves everyone unhappy. Bikers should refuse to put up with it. Demand real lanes.
The vast majority of advocacy groups do demand real lanes.
The thing, I want to commute to work today. Do I just stay home and yell at politicians until a lane is built? Or do I legally use the existing roadways?
Re:Pop-up bike lanes show that demand exists
by coldpie on Friday June 23, 2017 @10:09AM
(#14619243)
I'm sorry, I don't have an answer for you. I'm just frustrated that all of these threads end up tilting at the "damn drivers!!!!" windmill instead of blaming the actual problem, which is trying to combine car and bike traffic, which cannot be done on most US roads as currently designed.
Re:Pop-up bike lanes show that demand exists
by rhinoceraptor on Friday June 23, 2017 @11:19AM
(#14619764)
If we could magically re-do all of the existing infrastructure overnight, then that would be a good solution. But since it's impossible to re-build all roads to have dedicated bike lanes, cyclists will have to use the road at some point.
And once there is the precedent that cyclists ride only in dedicated bike lanes, then you've limited the area that cyclists can ride to dense, affluent areas that have the demand and money for dedicated bike lanes.
In a perfect for me world the CBD would have zero cars and everyone would be on bikes, foot or mobility devices after they parked on the CBD fringe carparks or caught public transport in.
That will never happen.
So the next best step for me is dedicated bike lanes separated with enough room for everyone.
More likely, but not everywhere is getting this right or has enough space.
So what we have to work with until something better arives is what we have now. Cyclists don't want this any more than you do but this is what we have and we would just appreciate some understanding. I try to get out of the way as soon as it is safe and I make sure I am at least trying to keep pace. I have never had cars behind me for more than 30 seconds and I honestly don't think that's much to ask for my safety and ability to get to work. If I were in a car you would be stuck behind me the whole way and then I would take your parking spot.