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Advocacy Thread... What Have YOU Done Today???

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Advocacy Thread... What Have YOU Done Today???

Old 10-17-09, 04:53 PM
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OK, we get it, you're a *********

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Old 10-17-09, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by randya
argued with the vehicular cyclists on BikeForums.net

Argued with the sidewalk 'cycling'/bike lane advocates on BikeForums.net
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Old 10-17-09, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Old Town
bekologist try that again in English. I'm not that bright.
You are asking Bek to do something beyond his abilities. You might as well ask him to adhere to the rules of logic.
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Old 10-17-09, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by K'Tesh
Then with the photos, emails and phone calls, I managed to get the city to replace it with one that won't trap a wheel.
It hasn't been replaced - two steel bars were welded over the existing grill.

-Kurt
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Old 10-17-09, 05:48 PM
  #30  
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Nothing major, got some completely unridable asphalt in a bike lane patched and got a mile long strip of bike lane cleaned by the street crew that was full of glass/debris.

Nothing today though, other than showing Columbia how to move via bicycle with my wife.
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Old 10-17-09, 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Old Town
UnsageAlpine in my boy.

I don't rail against these efforts to make things better to irritate cyclists like the fellow who started this thread. What worries me if the high profile such efforts will afford bicyclist everywhere. This is NOT a good. The very last thing we want is the local goverment agencies knowing we exist at all. You start demanding bike paths and bike lanes, drains fixed to better blind or stupid cyclists, posts to lock bikes to, this curb moved for more bike room and on and on and it's just a matter of time before the town or city authorities say, "Hey, these bike guys are large in number and pretty damn demanding." All that infrastructure crap you want? It cost real money. Up till now we've had it easy, the autos have paid for all of it. That will not last for long. We will be targeted and we SHOULD be targeted if we want concrete change in the infrastructure. I do not want to pay for a bike license or a registration or some damn excise tax like many car owners do in many states. Beware of what you wish for.
It does cost real money, but we're already paying for it: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/2006cpr/es06h.htm

Almost a third of road funding is subsidized. Income taxes, sales taxes and property taxes.

The changes we're looking for are typically pretty cheap. Compare them to the cost of building car only infrastructure like a free way and it's downright cheap.
ftp://ftp.dot.state.fl.us/LTS/CO/Est...PM/summary.pdf

Yes, they'll try to tax us more, but that's only because so many are uneducated on the matter.
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Old 10-17-09, 06:28 PM
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I supported my LBS by buying something. It counts right?
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Old 10-17-09, 07:09 PM
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i did no advocacy specific work toady aside from being a predictable visible bicyclist taking up a lot of road space.

oh, the claim i made that investments in bicycling infrastructure has multifarious and quantitative benefits to society?

sorry, sometimes I push the literary envelope in here, my apologies!

The case for investment in bicycling.....

yes, its factorable in many facets

a blurb

Originally Posted by invest in bike infrastructure, it adds up
Relatively small investments in bicycling and walking help to
address all these transportation related problems. By making
bicycling and walking—or “active transportation”—viable options
for everyday travel, we can cost-effectively improve our mobility,
protect our climate, enhance energy security and improve public
health. Active transportation requires no technological break-
throughs—just federal investment at levels befitting its potential
contribution to America’s well-being.
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Old 10-17-09, 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Wogsterca
Especially when there is a much better way of doing it, simply grind off the entire width of the bike lane, and resurface. Another option is to paint over the white line with a dark grey line.
The best way is to hydroblast the striping off. Minimal surface damage, virtually invisible and undetectable (rolling over it on a bike) if done correctly.

https://www.waterblasting.com/trafficmarkings.shtml
https://www.waterblasting.com/tennessee_dot_study.shtml

The only downside to waterblasting is that the fines can be removed from the top 1/4" or so of asphalt, potentially weakening the top of the surface and reducing its lifespan slightly.

Last edited by sggoodri; 10-17-09 at 07:26 PM.
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Old 10-17-09, 07:31 PM
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I did not bike today. I drove and regretted it.

But I did sweep the glass off the street just the other day...

Last edited by genec; 10-17-09 at 07:43 PM.
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Old 10-17-09, 07:36 PM
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Participated in the Clean Compton Creek project. We picked up trash along the creek on both the equestrian and MUP sides. Unfortunately, other than myself, there were no cyclists so the kids did not do a great job at sweeping the bike path clear of the shards of glass. The paths looked nice afterwards. Let's hope the shall remain.
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Old 10-17-09, 07:37 PM
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Make this a stickie. This thread is what this sub-forum is all about.

I did nothing for cycle advocacy today. Yesterday, I spoke at a large "cancer survivors summit" about how cancer survivors need to "earn this" - to earn their survivorship, which comes at the cost of thousands of lives. Cycling, along with good doctors, good medicine, and good luck, saved my life after I came down with colon cancer. The terrible cycling infrastructure in this nation keeps an untold number of people from getting on their bikes and saving themselves from obesity, diabetes, and any number of other problems that come from a sedentary lifestyle. Cycling advocacy is what we need to end that. The members of this forum are the people who can make that change.
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Old 10-17-09, 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by randya
OK, we get it, you're a *********

Ordinarily I don't care about what people think of me. But a ********* is so far off it makes me want to puke on the keyboard. I'd rather be thought of as a child molester. Rightwing, Rush Limbaugh types scare the crap out of me. Just because I shoot guns and think most do-gooders are phonies doesn't mean I'm a freakin' republican whack-job. My father was a socialist at heart. I tend to think along the same lines. I don't mind paying taxes one bit. You need them in any civilized country. But bike licensing and all the attached nonsense it might bring would be unreasonable. After all it's just a bike! I still think it's good idea to keep your (helmetless) head down.

Sorry if I've kicked a hornet's nest. But a *********? That is the only thing in the world you could have called me that would have sparked a response. Hell, I live in Key West, ********* types get eaten around here. *********, yikes, feel like I've been punched in the bag.
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Old 10-17-09, 11:14 PM
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sorry, I feel for ya, and I didn't mean to mischaracterize or upset you, but you went off the deep end when you claimed motorists already pay for the roads they use and that advocacy for bike infrastructure would lead to taxing and licensing cyclists. My apologies.

Last edited by randya; 10-17-09 at 11:20 PM.
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Old 10-18-09, 12:21 AM
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My city (just outside of Vancouver) is now just beginning to form a coalition to improve cycling on our streets. I attended the first meeting a couple weeks ago and since have been taking photos of problem streets and intersections, reading reports and studies from other cities around North America, and riding the streets daily with a new look towards working on the advocacy effort here. Currently, I'm preparing a map showing destinations (shopping, education, and recreation) and other potential high-use areas to bring to the next meeting. It's a start.
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Old 10-18-09, 10:02 AM
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randya: The nauseating pain in my stomach is starting to pass. No need to apologize. I just hate to think that something as simple and elegant as a bicycle should be in anyway regulated or looked upon by anyone as a revenue stream. Man has invented a few perfect devices down through the ages; sailboats and bicycles are right at the top for me. Except for their manufacture, both have done a great service in silence and at little cost to the wallet or the environment. They are poetic things. To let the government types get at your bike is akin to punching Santa Claus or charging new mothers by the pound at the hospital. It all seems wrong at a level I cannot describe or put a finger on. I'm no anti-government nitwit who thinks we should all fend for ourselves. Far from it. I happen to think classic libertarianism is worse than rightwing republican crap. I'm all for Social Security, socialized medicine no matter what it costs, daycare for the poor, anything to help the downtrodden. Just let me have this one thing. Stay away from my bike. I already pay enough extra for owning a good-sized sailboat. I can afford it and count myself lucky. But not the bike. It's the eveyman's connection to all that is simple and elegant and free. We don't charge money for beautiful sunsets, let's not charge anything ever for cycles.

Old Town

P.S. The guy with the Black Cat avatar (if you're reading this) yes, you are a *****.
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Old 10-18-09, 10:58 AM
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I myself happen to be torn between advocating for on-street infrastructure improvements for bicyclists and just letting things be. I think some improvements are necessary, particularly the provision of abundant safe and secure bike parking, and more motorist education, but I also think expecting any city in the US to provide complete city-wide separated facilities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen is unrealistic and out of reach.

I also don't happen to think that cyclists should be made to pay for any improvements that are made; things got so out of balance in the second half of the 20th century with regard to subsidization of motoring, that the pendulum needs to swing back the other way and society at large needs to recognize the benefits of more cycling and less motoring and foot the bill for any improvements, not the cyclists themselves.

Last edited by randya; 10-18-09 at 07:47 PM.
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Old 10-18-09, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by randya
I myself happen to be torn between advocating for on-street infrastructure improvements for bicyclists and just letting things be. I think some improvements are necessary, but I also think expecting any city in the US to provide complete city-wide separated facilities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen is unrealistic and out of reach.

I also don't happen to think that cyclists should be made to pay for any improvements that are made; things got so out of balance in the second half of the 20th century with regard to subsidization of motoring, that the pendulum needs to swing the other way and society at large needs to recognize the benefits of more cycling and less motoring and foot the bill for any improvements, not the cyclists themselves
.
Let's consider that there's a middle path between building brand-new separate infrastructure and doing nothing. One example of this middle way is Complete Streets, where future construction and rebuilding of streets is required to use design that accomodates all users.

My city just passed a Complete Streets ordinance, and I helped in a small way by talking a number of friends and co-workers into voting for it when it was on the ballot.
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Old 10-18-09, 03:56 PM
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That's pretty cool, OP. I ride by most of the places in your pictures all the time. It's always weird to see pictures of places I recognize like that on the interwebs.

What's a good way to go about getting stuff like that fixed though?? Like who would I call/email/whatever to get a timely (or any) response? What should I say? Etc.
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Old 10-18-09, 05:02 PM
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I used my car to shield a road cyclist from an SUV trying to squeeze them out.
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Old 10-18-09, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by nelson249
I used my car to shield a road cyclist from an SUV trying to squeeze them out.
Do you live in epic land?
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Old 10-18-09, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by MWPdx
That's pretty cool, OP. I ride by most of the places in your pictures all the time. It's always weird to see pictures of places I recognize like that on the interwebs.

What's a good way to go about getting stuff like that fixed though?? Like who would I call/email/whatever to get a timely (or any) response? What should I say? Etc.
For City of Portland:

Here's the PDOT web page for all things bicycle:
https://www.portlandonline.com/transp...x.cfm?c=34772&

Here's their facility improvement request form:
https://www.portlandonline.com/transp...x.cfm?&c=34818

Here's some phone numbers:
stoplight sensor doesn't seem to detect bicycles 503.823.2925, press 1
pavement and pothole repair needed on bike lane/route 503-823-BUMP
bike lane stripes that have faded/disappeared 503-823-1700

comment or question form:
https://www.portlandonline.com/transp...id=298&c=40884

For other issues, Traffic Safety Hotline (503.823.SAFE [7233]):
https://www.portlandonline.com/transp...ex.cfm?c=40515
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Old 10-18-09, 09:18 PM
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I talked to umpteen bicyclists today about the importance of good visibility in the winter months, strategies for better wet weather road grip, and other safety issues today at my workplace for a more aware and safe riding community where i live.
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Old 10-18-09, 09:23 PM
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Old 10-18-09, 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by MWPdx
That's pretty cool, OP. I ride by most of the places in your pictures all the time. It's always weird to see pictures of places I recognize like that on the interwebs.

What's a good way to go about getting stuff like that fixed though?? Like who would I call/email/whatever to get a timely (or any) response? What should I say? Etc.
It depends, on lots of things... Like what are you trying to get fixed?

This may be Private Property, ODOT, County, or Pacific & Western (railroad), or City. When trying to get something done through the system, it takes research. I often have to guess which agency would be responsible, call them. I speak to someone, explain what it is that I'm trying to get done. They redirect me, I try again until I reach someone who can really resolve an issue. I get their email, and keep the phone numbers programmed into my cell.

After time you build up a knowledge base and simplify the hunt.

Since you're in the Portland Metro Area, I'd try BikePortland.org, and search the forums for phone numbers of the agencies.

Before calling, I recommend that you ALWAYS carry a camera (do you've have a camera on a cell phone?), and take multiple photos. Pose the shot if you think it will help. Photos are unambigous, they show exactly what and where the problem is.

If possible, call when you find it, not when you get home (unless you have to, 'cause you don't know the number)

As to what to say:

Tell them where you have the problem

(SE corner of W Burnside and SW 18th Ave, in the NB lane)

Why it's a problem (Did it scare you, or cause you to crash? Did you see someone nearly get hit by a car trying to avoid it?)
Private Property owners are often oblivious to the cost of these things (liability, not physical costs). Remind them of the large settlements you've heard about (say the $3.5M awarded to the cyclist in King County WA [Bet the taxpayers of Washington are real happy about that])
Give them your name, email, and phone number.
Ask for an email. It's a direct link to your contact.

Save the number you called, and (if possible) the name and number of the person you eventually got. (ie:
PDX Urban Forestry - John Doe 503 555 1234)

Follow up by:
Uploading your photos to a photo sharing website (I use flickr).
Return the email that was sent to you with your photos, AND the links to them. Often agencies will have some kind of filter that can strip off your attached photos.

Afterwards, sent a thank you email, and if possible enclose follow up photos.

When possible attend local cycling events and meet the people. You never know when you'll bump into the Mayor, or a Congressman, some planning council member, or me (I range from Happy Camp CA, to Seattle WA, to Port Allen (Kauai) HI).

Hope this helps
K'Tesh

Last edited by K'Tesh; 10-18-09 at 10:14 PM.
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