How to improve bike and pedestrian safety

[Nvreloader]

Make EVERY vehicle driver ride a month in the same conditions as you ride,
MAYBE that would enlighten them............... Na, I don't think so, wishful thinking....

 

[PatriciaK]

It's called a Tardis, and if anyone sees one for sale, call me! LOL. In the meantime I have to make do with my cargo trailer (a molded fiberglass Li'l Hauley). Nice to see folks on here with a Casita and a FiberStream.

In the Tulsa metro they've been busy re-striping many streets to accommodate bike lanes. It is a big thing now. And the main intersection closest to us is undergoing a huge makeover that is intended to create an enclave of small-footprint, 2-story dwellings close together (with barely any grass yards) designed to draw residents who want to walk or bike to the store, to restaurants, etc.

I remember the bike I got during my sophomore year of high school. Bright yellow, 21 speeds, ram's horn style handlebars (I forget what we called them back then), and I accessorized it with one of those triangle-shaped flags on a fiberglass pole attached to the rear axle. Despite the flag I was still nervous about traveling the nearby state highway, but I did it a few times when I had someplace I wanted to go. But then I got my driver's license....

Ahhh, yes ... The magic white paint line that "protects" cyclists riding in the same space as multi-ton vehicles, and "prevents" owners of vehicles from using the delineated spaces as parking

 

[PedalUma]

Ahhh, yes ... The magic white paint line that "protects" cyclists riding in the same space as multi-ton vehicles, and "prevents" owners of vehicles from using the delineated spaces as parking

There are these huge trucks that line up every day in the bike lane. It clearly says No Parking, Bike Lane. What if they did that in the Diamond Lane for cars? No Parking, Diamond Lane.

 

[Handlebars]

Ahhh, yes ... The magic white paint line that "protects" cyclists riding in the same space as multi-ton vehicles, and "prevents" owners of vehicles from using the delineated spaces as parking

Well, they use these to keep those multi-ton vehicles out of bike lanes.

They are really nice to meet at night when they get pushed across the bike lane. The plastic poles used as markers get smashed down into the bike lane too.

 

[rayray]

A couple of days ago near me, a 13 year old boy riding his bike in a crosswalk was hit by a car and killed. The driver was sober, not speeding, and stayed at the scene. The flashing crosswalk lights were not operating. Now they’re talking about possibly charging the driver, but I say what about the people responsible for maintenance of the lights? It was in a 45 mph zone, so the driver may not have had much time to stop.

Then today, a 15 year old on a bike was hit, and is now in critical condition. Unfortunately, he rode through a stop sign, which is legal with a bike here (statistics show that to be safer than trying to ride across a street from a full stop), but the rider is responsible for stopping if a car is approaching. Apparently, he needed some training. Sad.

I’m glad I ride with my grandson, so I can teach him how to ride safely. Hopefully that will be enough.

 

[PatriciaK]

There are these huge trucks that line up every day in the bike lane. It clearly says No Parking, Bike Lane. What if they did that in the Diamond Lane for cars? No Parking, Diamond Lane.

They wouldn't do that in the diamond lane because there would be consequences for anyone tried it. There are no consequences for vehicles parking in bike lanes.

 

[tomjasz]

They wouldn't do that in the diamond lane because there would be consequences for anyone tried it. There are no consequences for vehicles parking in bike lanes.

I visited the mother ship for surgical prep. The Mayo Clinic ans associated facilities in Rochester MN are surrounded by well designed bike lanes. AND a full time LEO on a standup scooter making sure the lanes are clear and managing the goof balls on uber scooters. Really quite amazing.

 

[PedalUma]

I visited the mother ship for surgical prep. The Mayo Clinic ans associated facilities in Rochester MN are surrounded by well designed bike lanes. AND a full time LEO on a standup scooter making sure the lanes are clear and managing the goof balls on uber scooters. Really quite amazing.

I wish here we could have animal control walk or ride the multi-use paths a couple of times per week. Off leash dogs are a big problem. Twice in the last few days I have seen people sick there dogs on wild geese by the river. One was an off leash pit, the other an off leash German shepherd. I had a dog jump on me once while I was moving at speed. A bunch of us just saw the bike movie Mother Load in a park tonight. That was fun. I brought a cargo bike and made popcorn. Tom, I will show you the Trek I made yesterday in private.

 

[PedalUma]

Bike safety is a big part of the movie Mother Load. Wow. There are so many angry drivers of cars. Being stuck in a box must do that to people. The movie shows drivers yelling at moms on bikes. Even threatening to kill them. One mom rides with six kids. Here is how much popcorn I made. It is topped with brewer's yeast, chili powder, parmesan cheese, salt, and a slight touch of butter flavor. And here is that Trek.

 

[DiggyGun]

We find that when we’re out riding on traffic free cycle tracks, we come across a family cycling. However, on approaching them, we ring our bell advising that we’re behind them and coming through and then the fun begins. The kids are all over the place, zig-zagging across the track, even though the parents are telling them to stay to the side.

It’s nice to see the children cycling and enjoying the outside life. But, parents should not teach the kids not just how to ride a bike, but also the road craft that goes with it.

When I was a kid, we did the Cycling Proficiency Test which taught us all about toad craft. I’m not sure that this still happens ?

 

[PatriciaK]

We find that when we’re out riding on traffic free cycle tracks, we come across a family cycling. However, on approaching them, we ring our bell advising that we’re behind them and coming through and then the fun begins. The kids are all over the place, zig-zagging across the track, even though the parents are telling them to stay to the side.

It’s nice to see the children cycling and enjoying the outside life. But, parents should not teach the kids not just how to ride a bike, but also the road craft that goes with it.

When I was a kid, we did the Cycling Proficiency Test which taught us all about toad craft. I’m not sure that this still happens ?

Maybe the parents are trying to teach road skills, but the kiddos haven't quite got it yet . I know when I was teaching my kids a long time ago, no matter how many times they were told, and practiced, staying to the side, if another cyclist came by, they were all over the place like baby bunnies in a panic! Fortunately, they grew out of it pretty quick, with no injuries to anyone .

 

[Prairie Dog]

Here in my hometown, the local Kiwanis Club teamed up with local businesses to fund and build Safety City, a miniature replica of our city center where kids can learn rules and proper etiquette of bike. pedestrian traffic and quad safety. Programs are taught both in class as well as street level.

Safety City|Providing injury prevention education for children.

www.safetycity.ca