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Tuesday, December 06, 2005

 
Yesterday, at 6 degrees on the bank thermometer (4 at the airport, 8 at WILL), I nonetheless encountered four other cyclists on the route in (Green Street, since it would be most likely to be clear).

This morning WILL news informed me that yes, there will be a "makeover" of Lincoln Avenue, though there are still concerns about the four foot shoulder that is a foot shy of what's recommended for bicyclists. WILL had somebody whose name is evading me talking about the surprise about bicyclists who "took over" the four-foot shoulder somewhere else. Excuuuuuse me for driving my bike on the road... trying not to be a knee-jerk cyclist, but if using the road is "taking it over," then you're showing your attitude that I'm invading your space, not simply trying to be another commuter getting to work. **IF** I can get you to recognize that I need a path to work as much as you do, and that roads can actually be paths for cars and bikes, then you're "taking over" in your car as much as I'm "taking over" on my bike. How 'bout we ride together? Like people in the same community?
To dream, perhaps...

Can't say I agree with Gary Cziko about the bus pullouts... Yes, we already contend with them. No, it ain't anything like safe, especially when busses will park with their four-way flashers on... and then pull out just before they turn them off.

Comments:
Bus pullouts: You can pass on the right if you want, just don't clobber any pedestrians. If you pass the bus on the left, you pretty much have to pull far enough out that the bus driver can see you in his mirror. In this photo I'm riding my bike on a road with several bus pullouts that I pull left to get around the bus.

That motorist talking about cyclists taking over is asinine. In C-U I can guarantee that almost all of his delays in traffic are caused by other motorists. If he's sitting at a traffic signal for 15 seconds, it's to let cross-traffic get by. When he hits the brakes on Prospect, it's because a motorist has stopped to make a left turn up ahead. When he's stuck in traffic on Mattis, it's because a tailgating motorist caused an accident. When he's stuck up in that mess on North Prospect, it's because there's more CAR traffic than the roads can handle.

BIKES ARE TRAFFIC.
 
I'm pretty sure that the person making the comment was the mayor. I may email WILL to confirm it.
 
If the pullouts are like the one on Green Street, there isn't always room on the right. Left is usually okay - usually on our sedate streets I could go so far to the left the bus could pull out on me, which is always a comfort.
 
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