Here are seven 10-minute (+/-) videos of a 12 mile loop through in-town Dallas on a Friday afternoon at the start of rush hour. Some of the streets used are part of the Dallas Bike Route system (including the bridges across the Trinity), and some are not, illustrating how important education for confident cycling is over the reliance upon fear-based special facilities, when it comes to bicycles being a truly useful part of the transportation mix.
The average rolling speed for this ride was about 15 mph, and the average trip speed was just under 10 mph. The technique utilized was three cyclists riding in tandem (not on a tandem), with a helmet cam capturing the trailing cyclists and their interactions with overtaking traffic.
Please pay attention to the lane position of the cyclist(s). By legally controlling the lane, motor vehicles do not attempt to pass them without first pulling out. The vehicles complete the pass at a safe distance, and then pull in when it's clear, making the so-called "safe-passing" law unnecessary.
You may wonder where the cars are on a Friday afternoon at the start of rush hour. Well, for the most part, the cars are ahead of them. When an intersection signal turns green, the cyclist(s) are at the back of the queue, and the motorized traffic simply pulls away, leaving the cyclist(s) in relatively empty road space. Overtaking motorists pass the cyclist(s) without incidence. The cyclist(s) catches up to the rear of the motorized traffic at the next intersection, and the cycle starts again.
Thanks to Brian DeSousa of Dual Chase Productions in Long Beach, California, Richard Wharton of the Cycling Center of Dallas, and to local vehicular cyclist Herman May (the guy with the panniers).
It really is this easy.
Note: No horns were honked, tempers lost, or fingers waved, in the making of this video.
23 comments:
As one of the cyclists on the video, it really was THAT EASY. The main thing is to just remain visible, follow the rules, assert yourself, use your hand signals, be friendly (smile a lot), and just go with the flow. Herman does this every weekday, and I'll be starting it soon myself, now that the sunny season is here.
Watch, practice, and if you need help, contact the Cycling Center. I'll gladly figure out a time to meet with you, help you plan your route, then actually practice it. It's all about empowerment!
At least one typically overlooked observation ought to repeated - "...the motorized traffic simply pulls away, leaving the cyclist(s) in relatively empty road space."
Very true. I "filter" a lot less than I used to do - nowadays mainly when I plan to turn at the intersection anyway. It's worth the short delay in exchange for an uncrowded street. I also like to think the more observant motorists appreciate the courtesy.
I must say I really appreciate these videos but as someone who commutes many of these routes every day it seems a lot easier with three than just one. I understand the need to take the lane but as in video two, the cars at the stop ignore your right and move around you as if you don't exist, not to turn right but to go straight. This is not safe behavior and scares many (and upsets myself). This is the need for bike lanes; a safety net. Those that will disregard rules will do so with or without bike lanes. Those that ride in the offesive will ride safely with or without bike lanes. Again I thank you for illustrating how easy it is to ride through Dallas but I believe that this should be the sole focus. Bike lanes vs. riding the lane should be a non-issue. The issue is what is going to convience "you" that it is safe to ride Dallas.
@happycommuter
It would be of benefit to know at what point during the video you are referencing. I can find no instance, nor do I recall any, during which anyone passed us on the right and proceeded through an intersection. (Then again, I have no desire to scrub through the entire ten minutes, either.)
There is a point, at around time point 03:00, where we are near Harwood and Harry Hines and there are vehicles to our right who are turning right. In fact, you can see at least one physically doing this. There is nothing illegal or dangerous about this maneuver.
"This is the need for bike lanes; a safety net."
A safety net for whom? How would the presence of a facility mitigate this behavior, which, again, is neither illegal or dangerous when the vehicles are turning right.
There are many example images and videos around the 'net which illustrate this behavior. Where bike lanes exist, the well designed ones provide crossover points prior to the intersection, which allow right-turning traffic to cross the bike lane and enter a turn cutout. How does the presence of paint directing this behavior differ from lawful, competent vehicles negotiating the same encounter through lane positioning?
The answer is, of course, that it does not.
Where the less well designed exist, motorists actually cross over the bike lane at the intersection. How in hell is this safe?
You seem to have answered not only my questions, but your own concerns as well with the following.
"Those that will disregard rules will do so with or without bike lanes. Those that ride in the offesive[sic] will ride safely with or without bike lanes."
Precisely! The presence of paint will do nothing to alter the behavior you seem to abhor. What is needed is enforcement of existing law - toward both motorists and cyclists.
"The issue is what is going to convience[sic] "you" that it is safe to ride Dallas."
Ummm, no. It is not about what conveniences strong anyone. What "it" is "about" is fluid, cooperative operation on the roadway as a vehicle. There must be no special consideration for any vehicle type. Those who find vehicular operation intimidating must ether seek the education they need to become confident, competent and less fearful or adopt an alternative form of transportation.
Greetings, happycommuter. Thanks for joining the discussion.
I believe velociped answered your concern about the cars passing on the left. IIRC, that was at the Wolf/McKinnon intersection, which has a right-turn only pocket lane. Dallas uses these extensively, and they are part of the City's EPA Air Quality improvement plan (they reduce idling at intersections). Velociped (that's him in the video) manages the straight-through lane in a text-book manner.
I encourage you to go to www.cyclistview.com and watch the vehicular Cycling videos that Brian and Dan have done. While I understand your concern that three cyclists are treated differently that one, the evidence doesn't really support this, when the cyclists behave in a vehicular fashion.
Many cyclists think they are commanding a lane (taking their lane) when they ride three or four feet into the lane. While that's better than riding in the gutter-pan, it still encourages motorists to pass you without changing lanes (you are essentially "pulling over" for them).
As I have asked many people who express a desire for bike lanes in Dallas, please suggest a specific street where you would like a bike lane, and we can discuss what that would entail.
Stay happy! :D
"I believe velociped answered your concern about the cars passing on the left."
Should have said right.
I appreciate the videos and agree with happycommuter that it is a lot easier with three. Particularly on the Houston Street Viaduct. I won't ride it alone.
Vehicular cycling techniques have not been tried and found difficult. They have been presumed difficult and not tried.
-- P.M. Summer...
...paraphrasing G.K. Chesterton
ondre, I'm going to presume that you haven't yet tried to ride your bike like a vehicle, and when you have attempted to ride on a thoroughfare or collector, you have riden close enough to the curb so that cars can pass you without changing lanes. This is not uncommon for bicycle riders who let their fears dictate their actions.
The cyclists in the video ride streets like that all by themselves all the time (the guy with the panniers commutes 30+ miles in Dallas everyday). The fellow with the helmet cam does it in Long Beach, California, every day.
I encourage you to watch this vid (http://cycledallas.blogspot.com/2009/03/truth-will-set-you-free-but-what-is.html), and study the techniques. If you don't learn and pratice the simple, common sense techniques of Vehicular Cycling, you will forever be limited to riding where other people tell you to.
Try it. You'll like it.
@ondre
Three?
You are aware that is not only unnecessary, but illegal. State law limits the maximum number of cyclists riding abreast to three
The gutter-bunny, fear mongers over at BFOC recently posted highlights of a ride tracing the router of Lee Harvey Oswald. They got quite a bit of play in the media. An image accompanying their summary epitomizes one reason why many cyclists get no respect from motorists - they were spread all across the roadway.
This is not safety in numbers; this is scofflaw behavior.
I have to wonder, do either you or "happycamper" actually commute by bicycle? Both "whareagle" and I have offered to ride with novice cyclists to instruct them on proper technique. Those who whine about the dangers without learning methodology are akin those who refuse to vote and complain about government policy.
@velociped
"You are aware that is not only unnecessary, but illegal. State law limits the maximum number of cyclists riding abreast to three."
er, make that:
State law limits the maximum number of cyclists riding abreast to two.
What can I say, it was late.
For those speculating about the effect of the number of cyclists:
I've found that riding solo or with others makes zero difference in being seen and passed safely. I occasionally meet a friend for part of my commute. Motorists seem slightly less tolerant of two vs one.
I've heard all the excuses for why claiming the lane doesn't work (made by people who refuse to try it). Video is a huge leap forward in proving that it does work, but people still come up with reasons not to believe.
All I can say is, once you get over yourself and try it, your cycling experience will change for the better.
LOVE these videos! Thanks to PM and whareagle, I successfully biked to work this morning for the first time (on a weekday rush hour). No honks, yells or anything. I couldn't have done it without you guys' encouragement. Wrote a little blurb on my tumblr here. Thanks again!
Thank you for posting these videos. I'm a schoolteacher, today was my first day back to work, and I cycled the 20-mile round trip from home to school and back following the model of the cyclists in the video (as well as the advice you give on this blog).
In case you're curious: I live in Houston and work in Katy. My route takes me on Westheimer Road, Westheimer Parkway, and Fry Road. I've ridden the route before, but I've always hung pretty close to the curb on Westheimer Parkway and road. Today, I took the lane, and every car moved into the other lane before passing. Granted, a couple of them laid on the horn, but I can deal with that.
I don't remember how I found your blog in the first place, but I'm happy I found it, and I'm delighted to have had such a good ride on busy streets today!
Hi Ron,
I know Westheimer well. Do you stop at Crescent City for a beignet on your way to work? As good (if not better) than Cafe du Monde in New Orleans.
For those in Dallas who don't know Westheimer, think Lovers Lane or Lemmon Avenue. It's a six lane divided thoroughfare without convenient parallel side streets. The speed limit is (IIRC) 40 mph, although rush hour traffic seldom reaches that speed, as it has plenty of stoplights that break up the traffic flow.
On roadways like that, vehicular cyclists will spend much (if not most) on their riding in relative isolation due to the "rubber-band" effect of traffic flow. Fearful cyclists often project their own driving behavior onto cyclists, imagining themselves constantly fighting for position in a pack of cars that rush from stoplight to stoplight. The reality (as opposed to the CIC mythology) is quite different.
What do you teach, Ron?
I know Westheimer well too. That's an impressive first step after watching a few YouTube videos.
Hi PM,
No beignets for me on the way to work, I'm afraid. I think Crescent City is further east than I'm riding; I start around Dairy Ashford and proceed west from there. Sounds like a worthwhile trip on a Sunday, though.
I'm a junior high music teacher. Right now my colleagues are divided between thinking I'm "the Man" for making the ride or a lunatic!
Today was even better; I went from three honks to two!
Ron said: "Today was even better; I went from three honks to two!"
That sounds about standard for rush hour in Houston... regardless of the vehicle you are operating. ;-)
I love the videos! They have been a real eye-opener in my bicycle commuting. I live by Kiest Park and bicycle to work at Oak Cliff Municipal Center on Jefferson. Sometimes I go through the residential streets and sometimes I go down Jefferson. At 0530 traffic isn't on yet but the few cars that are on Jefferson give me plenty of space. I make sure to use lights and reflective gear at that time.
When I go home at 1700, I sometimes go North on Crawford,down Zang for a bit and go across the Houston Viaduct. I cut through downtown and go up and down Katy Trail to get my 20 miles in for the day.
Your videos really showed me how to take the lane and be predictable to the drivers and they respond favorably to that. Thanks!
Ernest
Big_E said...
"Your videos really showed me how to take the lane and be predictable to the drivers and they respond favorably to that. Thanks!"
You're very welcome.
It's a sad commentary that the vast majority of hostility directed towards vehicular cycling (and the safety and freedom it brings) comes not from motorists, but from traffic-intolerant bicycle "advocates". Of course, there's money to be made, and power to had, in promoting fear-mongering and segregated facilities. Not so much in promoting simple skills and truth.
Pointed to this video once again, what was that which occurred 1:04 into the top video? It's amazing what a year's time makes in what we notice! ;-)
Second video had a problem as well. Take a look 6:30 into it. I don't believe that lane is really 14 feet wide. What's more, that cyclist doesn't look very encouraging about sharing that lane with any following motorist, despite the caption!
Steve A, I agree that the lane doesn't look to be 14 feet wide in the second video at the timestamp you've noted. In FL, the statutes specifies "minimum" width, so my interpretation is that if I don't feel safe with vehicles sharing my lane, I won't let them.
I'd love to ask any person, be it officer of the law, motor vehicle operator or pedestrian, to stand on the roadway as I pass by in my velomobile, at 30 mph with three feet of clearance and ask them how discomforting it is. 30 mph is likely to be on the low side of passing speeds, when one considers that motorists too often consider speed limit signs as indicators of minimum speeds.
I'm a little disappointed to see the 1:06 point in the video too. I might offer that in my video-ing experience, my full stops at signs often look like rolling stops, so it could be an artifact.
The outside lane of Victory Avenue is 14' from curb face to center of stripe. Take your tape measure out there.
The rolling stop occurs a few feet back (about where a stop bar would have been for a pedestrian crossing) with a huge vision cone to the left and zero traffic. Closer to the actual intersection (a one-way street running right to left on screen), the cyclist looks to his right in case a wrong way car (or cyclist looking for the Katy Trail) is approaching. Had the cyclist not been overly concerned with keeping a tight gap with the camera, I believe the stop would have been more pronounced. This was the beginning of a loop with three cyclists who had never met before, and lead cyclist is a Cat 2 racer. It takes a while for pace and rhythm to develop.
I have a phone number for Pedantics Anonymous, if anyone is interested.
;-)
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