For those in the survey below who chose to ride in the striped shoulder, thinking perhaps it was a bike lane (it isn't), here's what happens to it a little further up.
Thus the end of all bike lanes: a dead end. But fear not, for a sidewalk begins at that very intersection!
11 comments:
Another way to look at it: If you signal a left turn to change lanes when you notice that the white line is about to start wandering off to the edge of the road, most motorists will politely let you onto the road with the rest of the traffic. They "drive friendly" around here.
And next time PM does one of these polls, you'll be able to honestly check a different answer. It's not a lifetime commitment...
Correct. There are always variables, but the important thing is to notice, and think about, what works best.
I found the next evolution in bike lanes! Human powered monorail!
http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/07/21/schweeb-the-human-powered-flying-monorail/
Even less practical and even more expensive at the same time! And you didn't think that was possible!
That's how a lot of the actual bike lanes down in Portland South end up in places where the road narrows. I kept asking myself, "Self, if it's safe for me to ride in the street to cross this bridge that's too narrow for a bike lane, isn't it safe for me to ride in the street the entire length of my commute?" Self agreed.
@ Ignatius J. Reilly...
You have a wise self.
I've been hit before and I can't afford to be in the right again. I'll go slow and stay on the sidewalk.
Ron said...
"I've been hit before and I can't afford to be in the right again. I'll go slow and stay on the sidewalk."
Ron, not knowing the details of your collision, I can't comment on it. But I will comment on the common misconception that proper lane positioning is a dangerous assertion of "my right".
Nothing could be less true, and that is usually a position taken by curb-hugging cyclists who have been sideswiped by passing vehicles, and by non-cyclists who hate passing next to curb-huggers on the streets.
Proper lane positioning is a defensive tactic that makes getting hit far less likely than curb-hugging, shoulder riding, and perhaps even bike-lane riding, not an offensive "I'm claiming my territory!" tactic.
As for riding on sidewalks, nothing could be more dangerous. If you were to really do that, you not only put pedestrians at risk, you put yourself at an even higher risk at every driveway and intersection.
Ron, if you are traveling slow enough to be safe on the sidewalk, why not just walk?
I don't walk so well since being crushed but surprisingly I can still ride a bike. Thanks for judging me though. I've been riding for over 40 years and now not only do I have motorists griping at me I have you. I think I can judge for myself when to ride in the street, and I do when I'm not on a busy one, but please yell at me when you pass by.
ChipSeal said...
"Ron, if you are traveling slow enough to be safe on the sidewalk, why not just walk?"
Ron said...
"I don't walk so well since being crushed but surprisingly I can still ride a bike. Thanks for judging me though."
Ron, no one has judged you. You have given sketchy details about your situation, and you logged in with a concealed ID, so people can only respond to what you say.
I showed a picture of an empty roadway with an ending striped shoulder. You say you ride in the street on roads that aren't busy, but in this case (on a virtually deserted roadway during the A.M. Peak), you say you'd ride on the sidewalk.
Congratulations on overcoming fear enough to get back on your bicycle after being "crushed". I hope you will continue to overcome the understandable, but irrational, fear of being struck again.
The incidence for cyclists being struck from the rear in the street is roughly the same as for being struck from the rear in a bike lane or on the road shoulder. The incidences of being struck while riding on the road edge (the "Fear Zone") are considerably higher.
Ron said; "I'll go slow and stay on the sidewalk."
ChipSeal asked; "Ron, if you are traveling slow enough to be safe on the sidewalk, why not just walk?"
I wasn't judging you, I was asking you a question. YOU said you went slow. It is not dangerous to ride a bike on the sidewalk if you are willing to ride at a walking pace.
I am of the opinion that if one is going to SAFELY ride on a sidewalk, why bother with the hassle of a dragging a bicycle along?
Your explanation of walking being difficult for you makes sense, but a reason that was hard for me to see at this distance.
My prayer is that you will be able to make the most of the mobility options that are available to you.
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