Comments on: The War on Bikes http://davewrites.com/the-war-on-bikes/ about technology, life and an imperative to create something better Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:15:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Whalehead King http://davewrites.com/the-war-on-bikes/comment-page-1/#comment-488 Whalehead King Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:28:09 +0000 #comment-488 I've been ruminating off-and-on this topic the past few weeks. One of the first things I learned in Boston is not to be in a hurry when driving anything. I'm inclined toward the position of actively being a scofflaw within reason when no harm can be done, and doing it accepting that everyone else should be doing it too. Anarchy? Perhaps, but our streets were not designed to handle the traffic they carry so being adaptable, courteous, sensible and defensive seems to be the best way to navigate. <br /> <br /> Are pedestrians, bicyclists, or cars the problem? Sure. So are trucks, motorcycles, motorscooters and buses and duck boats. It's a busy city and we're all in the same place jostling out of each other's way to get from Point A to Point B. That's city living.<br /> <br /> Well said. The city could benefit from some infrastructure changes, but you can't change human nature. I’ve been ruminating off-and-on this topic the past few weeks. One of the first things I learned in Boston is not to be in a hurry when driving anything. I’m inclined toward the position of actively being a scofflaw within reason when no harm can be done, and doing it accepting that everyone else should be doing it too. Anarchy? Perhaps, but our streets were not designed to handle the traffic they carry so being adaptable, courteous, sensible and defensive seems to be the best way to navigate.

Are pedestrians, bicyclists, or cars the problem? Sure. So are trucks, motorcycles, motorscooters and buses and duck boats. It’s a busy city and we’re all in the same place jostling out of each other’s way to get from Point A to Point B. That’s city living.

Well said. The city could benefit from some infrastructure changes, but you can’t change human nature.

]]> By: rob sama http://davewrites.com/the-war-on-bikes/comment-page-1/#comment-487 rob sama Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:05:09 +0000 #comment-487 The problem is pedestrians who jaywalk. Their actions causes cars to miss lights. In turn, cars drive more aggressively, trying to get through when they can, even going to far as to leave themselves stuck in the middle of an intersection rather than risk getting stuck at another green light because a pedestrian may jump out in front of them.<br /> <br /> Seriously, most other cities give tickets for jaywalking. Were Boston to do that I think traffic aggression may get toned down quite a bit. The problem is pedestrians who jaywalk. Their actions causes cars to miss lights. In turn, cars drive more aggressively, trying to get through when they can, even going to far as to leave themselves stuck in the middle of an intersection rather than risk getting stuck at another green light because a pedestrian may jump out in front of them.

Seriously, most other cities give tickets for jaywalking. Were Boston to do that I think traffic aggression may get toned down quite a bit.

]]> By: Walker http://davewrites.com/the-war-on-bikes/comment-page-1/#comment-486 Walker Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:40:07 +0000 #comment-486 Here's another interesting approach using a shared space concept:<br /> <br /> http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSGOR14512420070911<br /> <br /> Not sure if this would work in our car-loving culture, but if you think about it, one of the reasons why roads are so dangerous to everyone else is because cars have the right-of-way on 80%-100% of the space available. If you take away that idea, drivers would no longer feel entitled to have the right-of-way. Intersections would change from spaces which require you to follow rules, to spaces which require you to be cautious. Additionally, anyone would a rebellious streak wouldn't have any rules to break.<br /> <br /> I think it's very interesting, and I would love to visit one of the towns that has implemented this plan. I can't really see this working in Boston at its current state because there's too much congestion, but maybe if we could alter policy to take 80% of the cars out of the city (congestion charging, anyone?), it might work.<br /> <br /> ABC News did a report on this a while back, but I couldn't find it.<br /> <br /> Good luck. As a walker constantly annoyed by cars and sometimes by bikes, I hope we can all find a middle-ground sometime soon. Here’s another interesting approach using a shared space concept:

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSGOR14512420070911

Not sure if this would work in our car-loving culture, but if you think about it, one of the reasons why roads are so dangerous to everyone else is because cars have the right-of-way on 80%-100% of the space available. If you take away that idea, drivers would no longer feel entitled to have the right-of-way. Intersections would change from spaces which require you to follow rules, to spaces which require you to be cautious. Additionally, anyone would a rebellious streak wouldn’t have any rules to break.

I think it’s very interesting, and I would love to visit one of the towns that has implemented this plan. I can’t really see this working in Boston at its current state because there’s too much congestion, but maybe if we could alter policy to take 80% of the cars out of the city (congestion charging, anyone?), it might work.

ABC News did a report on this a while back, but I couldn’t find it.

Good luck. As a walker constantly annoyed by cars and sometimes by bikes, I hope we can all find a middle-ground sometime soon.

]]> By: W Robert Padgett http://davewrites.com/the-war-on-bikes/comment-page-1/#comment-485 W Robert Padgett Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:35:01 +0000 #comment-485 Dave,<br /> <br /> Inspiring words, especially as I await sunrise to venture onto the narrow and congested streets of Cambridge (even at 5:30 a.m.) for my morning ride. Boston may not rank up there with Montreal, Sacramento or Tucson, but it is becoming more bike friendly. Evolution takes time. Cheers, WRP Dave,

Inspiring words, especially as I await sunrise to venture onto the narrow and congested streets of Cambridge (even at 5:30 a.m.) for my morning ride. Boston may not rank up there with Montreal, Sacramento or Tucson, but it is becoming more bike friendly. Evolution takes time. Cheers, WRP

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