View Poll Results: Do bike lanes make cycling safer?
Voters: 45. You may not vote on this poll
Do bike lanes make cycling safer?
02-16-06, 01:52 AM
#1
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Do bike lanes make cycling safer?
Note: Your user name will appear next to your choice in the poll results. (Edit by Rev. Chuck)
Note: Your user name will appear next to your choice in the poll results. (Edit by Rev. Chuck)
02-16-06, 06:20 AM
#2
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I think bike lanes make cycling less safe, but not to any great degree.
They certainly don't make cycling appreciably safer.
They certainly don't make cycling appreciably safer.
02-16-06, 07:48 AM
#3
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The design of bike lanes varies too greatly in my opinion to classify all of them together, so I didn't vote.
I believe that some bike lanes are improperly implemented and even unsafe, but that applies only to certain applications, and not all bike lanes in general.
I think the main factors in safety have more to do with the choices a cyclist makes given the cycling environment.
I believe that some bike lanes are improperly implemented and even unsafe, but that applies only to certain applications, and not all bike lanes in general.
I think the main factors in safety have more to do with the choices a cyclist makes given the cycling environment.
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02-16-06, 07:50 AM
#4
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why this poll? Will it actually prove anything? it looks like just an opinion poll, without any realistic way to gauge safety of bicycle accomodations. It's invalid anyway because all the options are loaded. 'Significantly less' or 'significantly more' are towards two ends on a continum that ingores the more likely middle ground in population sampling. This poll is skewed and biased against bike lanes.
However,
Bike lanes in the greater Seattle area make cycling safer for cyclists.
Well designed bicycle accomodations provide a preferential, dedicated lane for safe and efficient travel by bicycles on congested roadways with heavy traffic volumes and/or high speeds.
However,
Bike lanes in the greater Seattle area make cycling safer for cyclists.
Well designed bicycle accomodations provide a preferential, dedicated lane for safe and efficient travel by bicycles on congested roadways with heavy traffic volumes and/or high speeds.
Last edited by Bekologist; 02-16-06 at 08:05 AM.
02-16-06, 10:53 AM
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How about a "Does it matter to you if a bike lane is safer or not?". I like them mostly because they are faster by letting me filter forward better at lights by keeping cars out of my way.
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lost in the moment.
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I was biking the backroads,
lost in the moment.
02-16-06, 11:28 AM
#6
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Originally Posted by Bekologist
This poll is skewed and biased against bike lanes.
[/b]
[/b]
I didn't vote either.
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Just Peddlin' Around
Just Peddlin' Around
02-16-06, 12:15 PM
#7
Senior Member
Yea... another poll. See folks; he is frustrated that he cannot pound his message across. So another round of polls appears so he has something more to talk about. So, HH, what's the right answer?
I don't vote in these, BTW.
I don't vote in these, BTW.
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"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
02-16-06, 12:22 PM
#8
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i think they do, but not necessarily in all cases. a lot of times they are used simply as additional parking spaces, unloading zones, etc. when that's the case, i don't think it's any safer. however, when everyone treats them as they are intended then i think there is a benefit.
02-16-06, 12:47 PM
#9
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Seriously, is it that important to know how each person voted? It's not like we're in Congress or anything...
D) All of the above and,
E) None of the above.
How's that for talking like a politician? This poll is useless. You can put it on Fox News, and they'll spin it one way. And then on CBS, and they'll spin it the other way.
D) All of the above and,
E) None of the above.
How's that for talking like a politician? This poll is useless. You can put it on Fox News, and they'll spin it one way. And then on CBS, and they'll spin it the other way.
02-16-06, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Helmet Head
Do bike lanes make cycling safer?
Why do you act like this debate is new and that there is no data already available? A quick internet search will provide oodles of studies and data for you to pick apart. Why not quote some of them for discussion rather than posting a worthless subjective poll?
I'm not even a bike lane advocate but this is getting really annoying. I'm not going to vote in the poll because I'm sure you will try to refer to the responses as if they mean something.
Jalopy
02-16-06, 01:40 PM
#11
Sophomoric Member
Originally Posted by flipped4bikes
Seriously, is it that important to know how each person voted? It's not like we're in Congress or anything...
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02-16-06, 01:45 PM
#12
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Bike lanes make cycling a bit safer, simply by defining a place on the road that is better understood by all road users than the absense of such lines... unlike "sharing lanes" which leaves the questions of ROW up to the whims of the road users at the moment. (if "lanes" didn't work, why do we stripe all the roads now?)
BL also indicate to motorists that cyclists may be on the road.... a visual as much needed as "trucks entering" signs. (if it was all that bloody obvious, then why the "trucks entering" signs?).
BL add about as much safety as any other line on the road... all of which is really psychological (stay between the lines, the lines are our friends). No line anywhere has magic powers and cannot do more then simply "suggest" the proper path.
Since BL vary wildly from place to place and even vary in design within a city, one person can have a very positive experience about BL, while another thinks they totally suck... the reality is that those BL may just be as different as night and day.
Evidence that BL DO guide motorists is as plain as the fact that some BL do collect dirt and junk from the rest of the roadway. Of course since there are so few cyclist on the roadways, this same debris often remains for a long time and can be a hazard to the infrequent users of BL. However, the nimble nature of a bicycle can often allow the user to navigate around these hazards.
BL also indicate to motorists that cyclists may be on the road.... a visual as much needed as "trucks entering" signs. (if it was all that bloody obvious, then why the "trucks entering" signs?).
BL add about as much safety as any other line on the road... all of which is really psychological (stay between the lines, the lines are our friends). No line anywhere has magic powers and cannot do more then simply "suggest" the proper path.
Since BL vary wildly from place to place and even vary in design within a city, one person can have a very positive experience about BL, while another thinks they totally suck... the reality is that those BL may just be as different as night and day.
Evidence that BL DO guide motorists is as plain as the fact that some BL do collect dirt and junk from the rest of the roadway. Of course since there are so few cyclist on the roadways, this same debris often remains for a long time and can be a hazard to the infrequent users of BL. However, the nimble nature of a bicycle can often allow the user to navigate around these hazards.
02-16-06, 02:12 PM
#13
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Roody
This is weird. Usually the so called "public polls" have a disclaimer saying something like, "Other users will be able to see how you voted." This one has no disclaimer. I wonder what happened?
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"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
02-16-06, 02:15 PM
#14
Sophomoric Member
Originally Posted by Brian Ratliff
I have the disclaimer. But then, I am seeing the "vote" screen, rather than the "results" graph. Have you voted yet? I think that once you vote, the disclaimer goes away.
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02-16-06, 02:37 PM
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Yes, good bike lanes definitely make it safer to ride. I also find that I can relax a lot more with a bike lane, which makes cycling much more enjoyable.
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Make a BOLD Statement While Cycling!
Jim
Make a BOLD Statement While Cycling!
02-16-06, 06:45 PM
#16
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THE TROUBLE WITH GERANIUMS
The trouble with geraniums
is that they’re much too red!
The trouble with my toast is that
it’s far too full of bread.
The trouble with a diamond
is that it’s much too bright.
The same applies to fish and stars
and the electric light.
The troubles with the stars I see
lies in the way they fly.
The trouble with myself is all
self-centred in the eye.
The trouble with my looking-glass
is that it shows me, me;
there’s trouble in all sorts of things
where it should never be.
-Mervyn Peake
There is a lot to get out of a nice bike lane and nothing to lose if you know how to use it.
The trouble with geraniums
is that they’re much too red!
The trouble with my toast is that
it’s far too full of bread.
The trouble with a diamond
is that it’s much too bright.
The same applies to fish and stars
and the electric light.
The troubles with the stars I see
lies in the way they fly.
The trouble with myself is all
self-centred in the eye.
The trouble with my looking-glass
is that it shows me, me;
there’s trouble in all sorts of things
where it should never be.
-Mervyn Peake
There is a lot to get out of a nice bike lane and nothing to lose if you know how to use it.
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Non semper erit aestas.
Non semper erit aestas.
02-16-06, 06:51 PM
#17
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Treespeed
THE TROUBLE WITH GERANIUMS
The trouble with geraniums
is that they’re much too red!
The trouble with my toast is that
it’s far too full of bread.
The trouble with a diamond
is that it’s much too bright.
The same applies to fish and stars
and the electric light.
The troubles with the stars I see
lies in the way they fly.
The trouble with myself is all
self-centred in the eye.
The trouble with my looking-glass
is that it shows me, me;
there’s trouble in all sorts of things
where it should never be.
-Mervyn Peake
There is a lot to get out of a nice bike lane and nothing to lose if you know how to use it.
The trouble with geraniums
is that they’re much too red!
The trouble with my toast is that
it’s far too full of bread.
The trouble with a diamond
is that it’s much too bright.
The same applies to fish and stars
and the electric light.
The troubles with the stars I see
lies in the way they fly.
The trouble with myself is all
self-centred in the eye.
The trouble with my looking-glass
is that it shows me, me;
there’s trouble in all sorts of things
where it should never be.
-Mervyn Peake
There is a lot to get out of a nice bike lane and nothing to lose if you know how to use it.
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
02-16-06, 08:17 PM
#18
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Oh great another thread and its matching poll. Are we at that stage of the cycle again?
I'm voting "no confidence."
I'm voting "no confidence."
02-16-06, 08:37 PM
#19
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Bike Lanes are safer when they have the proper STENCILS
View it as a slide show.
Dogbait
"Don't vote, it only encourages them"-- from a bumper sticker circa 1974
View it as a slide show.
Dogbait
"Don't vote, it only encourages them"-- from a bumper sticker circa 1974
02-17-06, 02:00 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by Bekologist
It's invalid anyway because all the options are loaded. 'Significantly less' or 'significantly more' are towards two ends on a continum that ingores the more likely middle ground in population sampling.
02-17-06, 06:09 PM
#21
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Using HH's usual poll logic, folks either say bike lanes make cycling safer or make no difference at all by a 24-5 margin at this point, proving what many of us have maintained all along - HH and his 'bike lanes kill' crowd are in the extremist minority.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
02-17-06, 06:31 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by chipcom
Using HH's usual poll logic, folks either say bike lanes make cycling safer or make no difference at all by a 24-5 margin at this point, proving what many of us have maintained all along - HH and his 'bike lanes kill' crowd are in the extremist minority.
I voted not much either way. I find some domake things safer. I find more that make things less safe.
The biggest single thing for less safe is that they provide the most help where none is needed. Riding is most safe between intersections. Also many bike lanes end at just the wrong time and place. I can think of one local lane that goes for miles, some might complain about door zone issues, but while legal to park few cars do park, so I see no problem. But just where things get to a point where a designated space for bikes would be useful the lane ends without warning.
02-17-06, 06:46 PM
#24
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Originally Posted by chipcom
Using HH's usual poll logic, folks either say bike lanes make cycling safer or make no difference at all by a 24-5 margin at this point, proving what many of us have maintained all along - HH and his 'bike lanes kill' crowd are in the extremist minority.
02-17-06, 07:13 PM
#25
genec
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Originally Posted by Keith99
Of course being in the minority does not make him wrong.
I voted not much either way. I find some domake things safer. I find more that make things less safe.
The biggest single thing for less safe is that they provide the most help where none is needed. Riding is most safe between intersections. Also many bike lanes end at just the wrong time and place. I can think of one local lane that goes for miles, some might complain about door zone issues, but while legal to park few cars do park, so I see no problem. But just where things get to a point where a designated space for bikes would be useful the lane ends without warning.
I voted not much either way. I find some domake things safer. I find more that make things less safe.
The biggest single thing for less safe is that they provide the most help where none is needed. Riding is most safe between intersections. Also many bike lanes end at just the wrong time and place. I can think of one local lane that goes for miles, some might complain about door zone issues, but while legal to park few cars do park, so I see no problem. But just where things get to a point where a designated space for bikes would be useful the lane ends without warning.
Here in my town there is a BL that goes along a road that is either 50MPH or 65MPH... at one particular location in the 50MPH zone, the BL is pinched very narrow putting the cyclist close to cars. Rather then restripe that section of the road, or add 5 feet of pavement at that one spot, the road engineers chose to narrow the BL. This is quite typical of poor BL design by road engineers that never use bike lanes.
BTW as far as restriping that part of the road... they already had erased miles of BL stripe to move them 5 feet further to the right anyway... why not do the whole thing right... nope.