How to improve bike and pedestrian safety
- Thread starter Alaskan
- Start date
ChezCheese:)
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Kitsap Co, WA
That is Hwy 99 in north Seattle, not California. I looked at it and I thought, dang that looks exactly like 99 at about 88th St. To the left is Quiring Monuments (gravestone engravers), and you will notice that the license plates are Washington's white and light blue. In the distance you can see downtown Seattle's tallest buildings. Not to mention the "South 99" sign itself has George Washington's head on it...
BlackHand
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Western WA
Ha, thought it looked familiar! The yellow building is the old Chubby & Tubby building.
@PedalUma You'll be glad to know, WADOT just budgeted $50mil to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety on that stretch.
Can $50M experiment make Aurora Avenue better for bicyclists, pedestrians?
The plan is for improvements to enhance walkers' and cyclists' experiences on the roadway that also carries 32,000 vehicles a day.
www.seattletimes.com
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PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
I prefer the planted median version.Ha, thought it looked familiar! The yellow building is the old Chubby & Tubby building.
@PedalUma You'll be glad to know, WADOT just budgeted $50mil to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety on that stretch.
Can $50M experiment make Aurora Avenue better for bicyclists, pedestrians?
The plan is for improvements to enhance walkers' and cyclists' experiences on the roadway that also carries 32,000 vehicles a day.
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I’m not really sure what you’re trying to say. My point is most people who own a bicycle in the USA also have an automobile. It’s just not feasible to use a bicycle to get everywhere you want to go and we don’t have very good public transportation.
Traveling to my job would be a six hour round trip on a bicycle. Going to the nearest large city from my house would be six hours each way and that’s not counting for stops. Yes I know there are countries that have outstanding public transportation where you can get anywhere but that’s not the reality where I live.
The reality where I live is people drive cars and also ride bicycles for shorter trips or for exercise. That’s why I was saying it’s not a bicyclist versus automobile situation in the USA.
I agree that the cost of infrastructure for a bicycle would be cheaper because it’s smaller so you can fit more on the same space. It would not be free though. Automobiles are taxed in multiple ways such as fuel, registration, tolls, parking fees etc so even if bicycles were only taxed at 25% of that it would not be insignificant. Right now the infrastructure cyclists use is being funded by motor vehicle taxes but if we were to transition over to more bicycle transportation then the tax burden would have to be shifted onto cyclists.
Mr. Coffee
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- A Demented Corner of the North Cascades
To be fair, a lot of people don't even try to make their lives work with public transportation. I lived in Seattle and Bellevue for 20 years, and made a point to commute to work by either bicycle or public transportation. You can do it if you are determined to make it work.
This also sometimes involves asserting yourself with employers. As an example on place I worked provided a $150/month parking allowance but wouldn't pay for a bus pass. It took about an hour to straighten that out. I've had similar negotiations about secure bike storage (I kept my bike in my office until they made arrangements for a storage room in the building).
At this point in time cyclists and pedestrians get about 2 percent of the transportation dollar. Until that number dramatically shifts enough to not be a rounding error the whole discussion about how to pay for it through some separate taxation system is kind of moot.
The case for funding bike infrastructure
It’s about climate change, public health, and economic development.
www.vox.com
PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
There are always going to be places where people HAVE to drive. But, there CAN be many, many more places than there are now in the US where other options, like walking, bikes, and public transport are reasonable, efficient alternatives to driving. We need to start redesigning our cities and transportation so those other options receive somewhere near equal attention and funding. We have funded private, fossil fuel transportation, at the expense of everything else, for far too long, and we need to stop that.
PedalUma
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Petaluma, CA
It is fun to commute with a electric bike. I would ride about 2 miles to the train and then 3/4 mile to work from the closest station. Everyone on the bumper to bumper freeway would be white knuckling it and arrive to work angry, stressed, and with stress sweet arm pits. I would arrive mellow, refreshed, and invigorated. The same with going home for dinner. When I do mobile repairs now I also arrive relaxed and invigorated. @Mr. Coffee's piece talked about health benefits. The mental health benefits of feeling clear and present are what I like best. Bikes are good for communities. Wouldn't you want to live and work in a bike friendly community where people can safely walk?
gioflowers
Active Member
- Region
- Canada
My colourful tires help to keep me safe.
Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
As for the Bike riders safety end,
I have found that a Florescent Lime Green pool noodle 3" in Dia,
that sticks out 48" from the back of the rack, has IMPROVED my near missus
about 1000% along with this colored safety flag flapping in the wind.
Even the local EP trucks provide enough room now.
With the upcoming hot weather approaching, I'll be riding in the dusk and dark
twilight times, and this would be a help and I need a light back there also.
cyclingmagazine.ca
I sure would like to find an affordable small camera that I could securely attach back there, (working on that),
as the local Hiway Patrol Troopers and County Mounties would have a field day,
"Press Hard, 4 copies", is the only language they seem to know around here.
Now, I know why there is such a very few bike riders around here, in the last 60 days, I have been run off the road by a EP truck, and Several times I have had cars/PU past by me that I could have touched them as they were passing, because of oncoming traffic,
and they couldn't wait 10 seconds to pass me,
Honked/cussed at, "Get off the road, You "F"ing Idiot" etc, etc.
I don't like riding around here on the main county roads, as I feel like I am a Target.
I have found that a Florescent Lime Green pool noodle 3" in Dia,
that sticks out 48" from the back of the rack, has IMPROVED my near missus
about 1000% along with this colored safety flag flapping in the wind.
Even the local EP trucks provide enough room now.
With the upcoming hot weather approaching, I'll be riding in the dusk and dark
twilight times, and this would be a help and I need a light back there also.
Cyclist uses pool noodle to force passing drivers to give him more space - Canadian Cycling Magazine
Strapped on with a bungee cord, the recreational flotation device has resulted in fewer close calls the cyclist reports
I sure would like to find an affordable small camera that I could securely attach back there, (working on that),
as the local Hiway Patrol Troopers and County Mounties would have a field day,
"Press Hard, 4 copies", is the only language they seem to know around here.
Now, I know why there is such a very few bike riders around here, in the last 60 days, I have been run off the road by a EP truck, and Several times I have had cars/PU past by me that I could have touched them as they were passing, because of oncoming traffic,
and they couldn't wait 10 seconds to pass me,
Honked/cussed at, "Get off the road, You "F"ing Idiot" etc, etc.
I don't like riding around here on the main county roads, as I feel like I am a Target.
I walked home on a road that I drive regularly, but didn't really pay attention to walking accomodations. I doubt I would ride my bike on it (4 lane, paved "shoulder" the width of a storm drain, raised curb divider, 45 mph). About 1/2 way on the mile long stretch, the sidewalk ended.
I was pleased that virtually every driver switched lanes away from me. Those that didn't because there was a vehicle next to them crowded the dotted line and eased off the throttle.
Although it would be interesting to learn why the sidewalk ended, probably won't check since drivers were courteous enough for me. Also will probably pick a parallel road next time.
I was pleased that virtually every driver switched lanes away from me. Those that didn't because there was a vehicle next to them crowded the dotted line and eased off the throttle.
Although it would be interesting to learn why the sidewalk ended, probably won't check since drivers were courteous enough for me. Also will probably pick a parallel road next time.
JES2020
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Other
Anyone who has crossed a intersection , on foot or bike knows how dangerous right turning cars are. The drivers are looking 90 degrees from you at possible left turning cars from the other direction.
I think it's time the authorities reconsider right turns on red, as there are a lot more people riding bikes, etc now.
Personally, when there is a car in the lane to my left, at a intersection, signaling or not, I won't cross unless I see them looking directly at me and acknowledge my intention to cross with the light !
Solid advice!
Consider not being next to a car in the same lane ever. At intersections, I hold/maintain the lane behind vehicles.
JES2020
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Other
Well that's great, but I was talking about pedestrians too. So logically they would not be in the street , but on the sidewalk. Which presents the same issues, regarding right hand turning cars.
I never said I was in the street, that was you're assumption.
At busy intersections, unless I'm turning left, I purposefully try to stay on any sidewalks.
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
I am constantly looking for driver's eyeballs on me under many different circumstances. Stopped at intersections is one, another is a car stopped on a side street looking to cross or get on the road I am riding on. If I don't see them seeing me, I assume they will pull out right in front of me so I slow down until I get that flash of recognition. The other assumption I make is that inside every car parallel parked on the road is an evil gremlin lingering on the floorboards just waiting to open a car door and nail me. I always pass along side parked cars, leaving enough space for a door to be opened without danger.
BEC111
Well-Known Member
Here in Northern,Virginia there is pretty of good cycling infrastructure for suburbia. There are trails, bike lanes and most of the sidewalks are MUPs. You can ride to almost anywhere with reasonable safety. But when you get there you don’t have a place to lock up your bike.
Whenever I discuss cycling infrastructure with friends I try to remember to make that point. I recently pointed out to my cardiologist that while it was only a two mile bike ride to her office, there wasn‘t a bike rack. I told her that none of the Inova or other medical facilities I’ve visited have a secure, safe place to park a bicycle. Laying a guilt trip on her, I said it surprised me that places built to advance the health of the public only provided for the least healthy means of transportation. She said she’ll bring it up at the next organization meeting.
If we have the opportunity to influence infrastructure decisions in our communities, the totality of Cycling infrastructure needs to be included. Safe paths, intersections and bike parking all need to be part of the discussion.
mschwett
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
that’s a strange omission, the expense of bike racks on sidewalks is minute compared to the other things you describe already having! here you can call 311 to request a bike rack be added to a sidewalk, a couple guys from public works come out, drill 8 holes, throw some quick cure in the holes and bolt an upside down U in. they won’t do it in some locations due to conflicts with utilities, driveways, etc, but it’s easy and cheap.
JES2020
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Other
Another thing you reminded me of, If I'm crossing a busy street and a car stops to let me cross, I always put my hand up in recognition and to confirm that I will be crossing.
It's like handing over control of an aircraft between pilots....the PIC says "you have control", the receiving pilot says "I have control", then finally the pilot giving over control confirms, "you have control".
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
I hate when cars do that. though not o na busy street but when I have the stop sign and they dont its a hassle. like on our tandem I am just stopping and putting my foot down and they stopped and wave me on. then I am fumbling to get going again as I didn't have time to set the peddle. a busy street if there are more then one lane can really be problematic as the other lanes may not stop.
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