Pay Attention to Bicycles

[John R]

from treehugger. bummer post.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/04/taking_back_the_5.php

Taking Back the Streets: Cyclist Memorials
April 27, 2006 03:00 PM - Lloyd Alter, Toronto

We learned the hard way about a Toronto tradition for taking back the streets today- mass memorial rides for cyclists needlessly killed. Hubert Van Tol was a University of Toronto Professor and athlete- we rowed together on Lake Ontario (well, not quite together- he was twice as fast). Last Thursday a dumptruck turning right got him. This happens too often in Toronto (two cylists were killed on the same day) where the few bike lanes are full of cars and when it comes to enforcement, we quote Bob Dylan: "the cops don't need you and man, they expect the same". There are few North/South streets in the area of the accident and bike commuters are forced to use the ludicrously named Avenue Road, four fast-moving lanes, none for bikes- it just might slow down the rush hour traffic and we can't have that.

A Toronto group, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists, organizes the rides- this was about their 35th. They usually start downtown and ride to the spot where the accident occurred. There were not a lot of people when we got there for the scheduled start, but our numbers grew.

We followed bike lanes as much as possible and a point was made of driving responsibly but asserting our rights- drivers were not happy with us filling the left turn lane here.

By the time we got to Cortleigh, we were at least a hundred strong, along with a lot of media, and, we were pleased to see, some of Hubert's family. Flowers were placed on the ghost bike, chained to the nearest telephone pole to the accident.

A little guerrilla theatre for the cameras and to make the point- a few minutes of silence while blocking a lane of traffic, exactly one week to the minute after the accident. Then they roll up the banner and back on the bikes, to prepare for another ride this evening for the other cyclist killed.

We had to ride south on Avenue Road, keeping as close to the curb as possible on one of the busiest streets in town in the middle of rush hour, wondering what kind of governments hypocritically promote cycling and then neglect to provide any decent routes; that refuse to demand sideguards on trucks like they do in the UK; that refuse to enforce the few rules about parking or driving in bike lanes; and that refuse to ban cell phone use while driving when 80% of accidents are caused by inattention of drivers. This is one "take back the streets" post I don't want to repeat, and have nothing but respect and admiration for ARC (advocacy for respect for cyclists) Imagine. Doing this twice in one day.

 

[beachmouse]

...with wet seats!!!

I've volunteered at Ironman Florida in PCB a couple of times, and have learned that if they're going to offer you free latex gloves to wear when you're working bike check-out, it's probably a good idea to wear them. And that you never want to touch someone else's bike any further back than the handlebars.

And so many drivers simply don't pay attention to cyclists legally sharing the roads with them. There was a cyclist killed in Destin a few weeks back by a distracted driver.

 

[Cil]

In Gulf County, it does not seem like the safest environment for cyclists, though I can see that this will change. I do pay serious attention to bicycles, but I sure hope they will reciprocate when I am driving. It is kind of scary to pass by them on 30A here, which has no bike lane, but I do manage.

Back in Denver, which has plenty of bicycle lanes, I cannot tell you how many times young men on bikes would recklessly cut me off. It almost seemed like it was a special macho challenge to be met in order to make it into some sort of urban-cyclists' club. There was a four-way stop sign area near my house which bicyclists routinely sailed through--it was a really nice hill, they just hated to stop. I saw a guy break both his wrists there.

The worst day was when a young guy on a bike ran a red light at a very busy intersection. I slammed on the brakes, he noticed me and stopped as well, and I did not hit him.
He wore a s***-eating grin and no helmet.
Guys like this do not help the bicyclists' collective reputation.

 

[Jdarg]

There are a$$holes in every group, bicyclists are no exception. There can be bad drivers driving ANYTHING on wheels.

 

[Chickpea]

from treehugger. bummer post.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/04/taking_back_the_5.php

Taking Back the Streets: Cyclist Memorials
April 27, 2006 03:00 PM - Lloyd Alter, Toronto

We learned the hard way about a Toronto tradition for taking back the streets today- mass memorial rides for cyclists needlessly killed. Hubert Van Tol was a University of Toronto Professor and athlete- we rowed together on Lake Ontario (well, not quite together- he was twice as fast). Last Thursday a dumptruck turning right got him. This happens too often in Toronto (two cylists were killed on the same day) where the few bike lanes are full of cars and when it comes to enforcement, we quote Bob Dylan: "the cops don't need you and man, they expect the same". There are few North/South streets in the area of the accident and bike commuters are forced to use the ludicrously named Avenue Road, four fast-moving lanes, none for bikes- it just might slow down the rush hour traffic and we can't have that.

A Toronto group, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists, organizes the rides- this was about their 35th. They usually start downtown and ride to the spot where the accident occurred. There were not a lot of people when we got there for the scheduled start, but our numbers grew.

We followed bike lanes as much as possible and a point was made of driving responsibly but asserting our rights- drivers were not happy with us filling the left turn lane here.

By the time we got to Cortleigh, we were at least a hundred strong, along with a lot of media, and, we were pleased to see, some of Hubert's family. Flowers were placed on the ghost bike, chained to the nearest telephone pole to the accident.

A little guerrilla theatre for the cameras and to make the point- a few minutes of silence while blocking a lane of traffic, exactly one week to the minute after the accident. Then they roll up the banner and back on the bikes, to prepare for another ride this evening for the other cyclist killed.

We had to ride south on Avenue Road, keeping as close to the curb as possible on one of the busiest streets in town in the middle of rush hour, wondering what kind of governments hypocritically promote cycling and then neglect to provide any decent routes; that refuse to demand sideguards on trucks like they do in the UK; that refuse to enforce the few rules about parking or driving in bike lanes; and that refuse to ban cell phone use while driving when 80% of accidents are caused by inattention of drivers. This is one "take back the streets" post I don't want to repeat, and have nothing but respect and admiration for ARC (advocacy for respect for cyclists) Imagine. Doing this twice in one day.

John R,

I commend you for posting this. My sister lives in Toronto and is an avid cyclist and was telling me this week how upset she was at the needless deaths by inattentive drivers in a city that does exactly promote safe cycling!

There will always be jerks on both side of the equation but pure physics tell you that if you are on a bike and someone is in a 2000 pound car, then the odds greatly favor the heavier car being unscathed in an accident. Everyone needs to be attentive -driver or cyclist - and every cyclist driving without a helmet is a fool!

Last year near where we lived on Alligator Cove a man on a bike had to be air lifted to the hospital because he was hit by an inattentive driver. Cops told us driver actually swerved into him onto the bike lane (how the hell does that happen on a small stretch of 30A???? except by distraction - this was at 5pm so hopefully drinking was not involved but who knows?). Do not know if he lived (hope he did).

 

[Smiling JOe]

There are a$$holes in every group, bicyclists are no exception. There can be bad drivers driving ANYTHING on wheels.

I am not suggesting they are @$$holes by any means, but the majority of bicyclist pedalling around WaterColor do not seem to know the rules of the road regarding bicyles, and I find it very frustrating. About a year ago, one of my customers killed a bicyclist near Gulf Trace as the bicyclist darted across the road, apparently not noticing the oncoming 6,000lb truck, who was somewhat blinded by the Sun setting low in the sky.

Be careful! Motorcycles, Bicycles, and now Scooters, are everywhere. Look twice, save a life! -- and get off that damn cell phone so that you can devote your attention to driving and saving lives.


(I point out WaterColor in particular because it is the place I notice it the most. Perhaps it is because all guests get use of the bicycles. I am sure it happens elsewhere. Seaside may run a close second. ;-)

 

[chrisv]

I am not suggesting they are @$$holes by any means, but the majority of bicyclist pedalling around WaterColor do not seem to know the rules of the road regarding bicyles, and I find it very frustrating. About a year ago, one of my customers killed a bicyclist near Gulf Trace as the bicyclist darted across the road, apparently not noticing the oncoming 6,000lb truck, who was somewhat blinded by the Sun setting low in the sky.

Be careful! Motorcycles, Bicycles, and now Scooters, are everywhere. Look twice, save a life! -- and get off that damn cell phone so that you can devote your attention to driving and saving lives.


(I point out WaterColor in particular because it is the place I notice it the most. Perhaps it is because all guests get use of the bicycles. I am sure it happens elsewhere. Seaside may run a close second. ;-)

I guess that's why we need to be so careful, tourists "check out" mentally when here on vacation.

It's always been my contention that bike paths and sidewalks have made cycling more dangerous and have magnified the problems between motorists and cyclists. About the only time I'll ride anymore is Sunday at 6am.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I guess that's why we need to be so careful, tourists "check out" mentally when here on vacation.

It's always been my contention that bike paths and sidewalks have made cycling more dangerous and have magnified the problems between motorists and cyclists. About the only time I'll ride anymore is Sunday at 6am.

Ditto.

 

[John R]

i believe the expensive governmental traffic study of 30a suggested an actual bike lane be added to keep the path free for foot traffic.

 

[Miss Kitty]

I had a thought yesterday. I saw about 6 people in one of those golfcart type vehicles driving down to Seaside from WC. Maybe that is the answer. Only allow those vehicles, bikes, scooters and feet along 30A. I am sure a trolley system could be utilized for longer trips.