Suggestions for New Safety Commuting Ideas

buckybux

We all complain about how the cars treat bikes. I know, because I have been hit twice (both times the auto did not see me) riding. Our City, Spokane, WA is holding some hearings on how to improving biking.

I feel somewhat ambigious about bike lanes. While they sound great in theory, I find the practice to be different. The autos push debris into the lanes, cars (illegalily) park in them, and they are especially dangerous at stoplights, because of the autos turning right. Here in Washington cyclists are allowed in the lane of traffic (not required to use the bike lane) and entitiled to a full lane, but the cars often feel that the bike, inspite of the the debris and parked cars, should be in the bike lane.

I saw the note in another thread about the PDX bike boxes, and thought that was very interesting. Locally, they are suggesting Bike Boulevards (parallel streets to artials which give the bikes right of way) which give me concern because I think they will identify alternative routes for the cars.

While bike paths sound great too, I just don't see where we have the public money to fund them (we already have a few well used paths here).

Personally, I think it is best to just make the right lane wider.

I want to know what your thoughts on what Spokane can do to improve the quality of bike transportation.

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He who dies with the most bikes.....Wins

ndbiker

I agree concerning making lanes wider (not too wide or cars will think they have another lane). I don't like the idea of "bike lanes" as cars will think we are relegated to them and it makes getting in the proper turn lane more problematic. The streets I like riding on the most other than residential side streets are roads with two lanes and a turn lane. The turn lane makes it easy for cars to get around me but doesn't give cars another lane to drive in (like four lanes would). Cars see bikes as a nuisance only if they impede their flow (other than the few jerks who are just bigots), if there were room for cars to easily get around cyclists there would be fewer confrontations. I also think as commuters it is our responsibilities to make ourselves as visible as possible and to obey the traffic laws ourselves. Too often I see cyclists not stopping at stop signs or failing to signal. We do this at our own peril.

bigpedaler

Complete agreement here; no dedicated bike lanes! I won't say no to separate facilities totally, because MUPs are useful -- for the kids, for example. We have one near my home, and it allowed me to take my 5-y-o nephew to the park on his bike (NO WAY on his bike in the street!!!).

Wider outside lanes, ok. Shoulders, too. Too many streets go from pavement to ragged grass/gravel in a fingersnap. And, I've noticed, four-lanes are better for bike traffic than two-lanes are.

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buckybux

Thanks for the comments. I shared them with a forum held by the City. I was definately in minority position about bike lanes, but then it is easy to measure the success because all see the bike lane.

We are currently in "Bike to work week" and I have seen more commuters then ever. Our weather hasn't been the best either, rain on both Monday and Tuesday, but the interest does seem to have increased.

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He who dies with the most bikes.....Wins

threaded

What would make cycling an awful lot safer would be instant long time driving bans for any car / cycle collisions with no fault determination.

A car driver who says they didn't see you are actually saying they didn't look, or thought they'd make it in front in time, or from every accident I've actually seen, just plain lying. They really should not be on the roads.

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buckybux

I agree with your statement that if they don't see you, then they should not be driving. However, here in the US, we are still a car society, and bikes come a far second. So often drivers are given the benefit of the doubt.

__________________
He who dies with the most bikes.....Wins