I recently came upon this video of a group of cyclists running down Seattle's downtown on Second Ave. I ride down Second everyday, but I use the #1 lane, just positioning myself in the right wheel well spot, occasionally changing lanes into the #2 center lane (as eventually shown in the video) to avoid large lines of left-turners. The video does not appear to be taken at rush hour. The traffic is relatively light.
I recently came upon this video of a group of cyclists running down Seattle's downtown on Second Ave. I ride down Second everyday, but I use the #1 lane, just positioning myself in the right wheel well spot, occasionally changing lanes into the #2 center lane (as eventually shown in the video) to avoid large lines of left-turners. The video does not appear to be taken at rush hour. The traffic is relatively light.
Yes, the second avenue door^H^H^H^H bike lane is not a favorite of mine. I would like to say I don't know how that one got put in, but unfortunately it's terribly typical. Normally I just take the far left lane using the left (car) wheel position on that street.
Speaking of bike lanes: The master plan meeting last night had *way* too much emphasis on them in my opinion. I am encouraged by the talk of spot improvements in trouble areas, but we'll how much of it takes.
-- Dane Buson - [email hidden] "Corporation......An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility." -Ambrose Bierce
Speaking of bike lanes: The master plan meeting last night had *way* too much emphasis on them in my opinion.
This is in my opinion a result of little or no input from experienced riders. The bike lane seems to the non-riding public (and that includes commissioners etc) to be the "perfect" solution to the "problem" (that of actually having bicycles using the road again after 100 years of being pushed off by the auto). OK a bit of hyperbole but I think that there is not enough involvement from teh experienced cyclist. In fact I'm sure that there is no proper venue to voice through in most places. If you race, you send dues to USA Cycling, not to the local tour club etc.
In fact the proper solution is not bike lanes (though they are appropriate in some places) but rather enforcing rules and regulations properly, especially speeding and aggressive driving. Furthermore a "share the road" campaign needs to be properly implemented...which means more than merely putting up signs. It needs to be more public than that. Considering that traffic safetly is a major influence on everyone (most likely cause of accidental death) it really aught to get more air time on TV radio etc from the standpoint of initiatives rather than just hte ambulance chasing newspeople.
I recently came upon this video of a group of cyclists running down Seattle's downtown on Second Ave. I ride down Second everyday, but I use the #1 lane, just positioning myself in the right wheel well spot, occasionally changing lanes into the #2 center lane (as eventually shown in the video) to avoid large lines of left-turners. The video does not appear to be taken at rush hour. The traffic is relatively light.
I think they chose the best strategy for riding in a group as large as they were. The obstacles pointed out in the video are more dangerous in groups, IME. However, if I was solo, I'd stick to either the far left or far right. my $0.02
-- Paul M. Hobson Georgia Institute of Technology ..:change the f to ph to reply:.
