intransit1217

New to the actual advocacy act. But I did volunteer to pimp for my bike club which ultimately raises money for advocacy in Wisconsin.

jputnam

On my way to work this morning, reported some bollards that had been painted dark brown, probably part of a graffiti coverup, leaving them a real threat in poor lighting conditions.


Unintended hazard from graffiti cover up by joshua_putnam, on Flickr

Better response than I'd hoped for: tonight the bollards are gone, their bases stomped full of asphalt... gone for good!


Gone for good! by joshua_putnam, on Flickr

K'Tesh

Ok... I've been a little busy Graduating from PSU... So I took a little time on Friday, and did some painting...

I photographed this in 2008, and of course complained about it to ODOT... (I'd actually complained about it for years before this photo was taken)



Then I started having to take the bus, and didn't get to ride past this very often, but as I was cycling through the area in June, I hit this grate, and broke a spoke... I called it in, and heard nothing back...

On July 31, I went out and looked again... This is the same grate, different angles...



So, I went Picasso on it... (Used Striping Paint)



I wonder if ODOT will pay attention to this now? I'd really like to find the supervisor who has been ignoring this for so long, weigh him down until he matches me with a full book bag (that would be over 400lbs (I'm a very large Clydesdale)), and send him over this grate at top speed (about 40mph)... at rush hour...



Then let him say it's not scary or dangerous.

Oh, and here's the one upstream of that...

Chris516

Weren't they there, to block motor vehicles from driving on to the path? If so, they should have painted the posts bright yellow.

OldTryGuy

Before a new 3 mile connecting road was completed I rode it. One area has drainage grates in the bike lane that were tire/wheel eaters. Emailed the project manager with a picture of my front wheel 6" into the drain. Got a reply with 1 hour.

First thing in reply was that I was breaking the law riding on the unopened road and it was a punishable offense with jail time and/or a fine. He then stated that there is a final inspection before road opens and the matter will be addressed. Road is now opened and I rode it this AM. All but 2 grates are bike friendly. Guess I have to shoot another email out.

Chris516

Absolutely!!

GamblerGORD53

I was in China last winter. They have grates with wavy openings. What a great idea that was.
However they have made them and many manholes of thin metal that breaks. I saw some of these freakisly dangerous open holes on major routes.

jgadamski

[h=1]A Sisyphean task in Portland[/h]

Chris516

It isn't bike-related. But today, while I was out on my ride. I came across a three-car accident, Police n' EMS were already on scene. I noticed a number of motorists' that tried to squeeze by the accident scene. Almost hitting the first-responders. So, I started blocking the road. The police were very appreciative. A number of motorists' almost hit them and the patients', flying around the corner.

K'Tesh

Made the news...

Fed up cyclist paints over sunken grates on Barbur Blvd.

https://www.kgw.com/videos/news/36893.../4404857760001

Chris516

I liked how ODOT's only retort to what cyclists' did. Was to say that it was illegal. No statement from ODOT of sincerity and acknowledgement. About how the storm drains are right in the bike lane.

K'Tesh

Not quite true... Here's the latest!

After media reports, state says it will smooth sunken grates on Barbur - BikePortland.org

https://www.kgw.com/videos/news/36893...4407688146001/

We Won!

Chris516

Only to a point. ODOT knows about it now. How long will it take them to actually do something about it. That will be the ultimate expression(or lack of expression) at to whether they really care. But he stated that he is moving to China soon. So, After he moves. They won't be able to depend on him. Actions speak louder than words.

Around here, the governments' don't care about physical road conditions except if it in some way impedes the convenient movement of motorized traffic.

K'Tesh

You're right, I did say I'm trying to move to China (and soon). However, with as many people who contacted ODOT because of this, and have commented on BikePortland.org and KGW's facebook page, I'm sure that ODOT will catch hell if they don't resolve this in the 1-2 weeks they said it will take for the necessary equipment to become available. Also, local cyclists have learned a valuable lesson on how to speak up for the issues they see that need to be addressed.

Perhaps you can apply strategic pressure on your local governmental agencies and get things addressed (perhaps coming from it from the angle of how inconvenient it would be if a cyclist were to crash in front of you because of the problem).

See Something? Do Something!
Jim

Chris516

I have done that before.

K'Tesh

ODOT's now working on them...

The southern one is fixed:



And they've removed the markings on the Northern one (before they grind the edges):

B. Carfree

Those are still illegal bike lanes under Oregon law. AASHTO standards, which Oregon adopted decades ago, require a minimum of three continuous feet of rideable surface across the bike lane (and Oregon state law further requires a minimum of six feet of width, which this one seems to have). The southern one may have three feet to the left of the storm drain, but unless there's something mighty odd about the photographic perspective in the northern one it falls a bit short.

I guess you have a long-distance advocacy coming your way to complete the job. Good work on your part K'tesh. ODOT, as usual, falls short of the mark.

hotbike

I'd like to share this Illustration... This is how the Clearing of Roadside Vegetation, Vines , and Scrub Growth, can improve the distance drivers can see, and, conversely, the distance the cyclist can see in the Rear-View Mirror.

IDK if the photos got the point across. It is my aim to clarify the intent of my previous photographs...

Sometimes, the Vegetation and Undergrowth can cause a "Blind Curve" situation. As shown in my previous photos, I have done a lot of work myself, with my own Lopping Shears.

Line-of-Sight Illustration by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

Grinding Van-Knives Sharpenned by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

Grinding Service-Garden Tools by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

After cutting all that roadside vegetation (it has been three years since Hurricane Sandy), I treated my trusty Lopping Shears to a well-deserved sharpening , by the local Knife Grinder^

kuroba

I don't have pics but several times my SO has stopped to help a fellow cyclist who is struggling with a mechanical problem, mainly flats and while at it, helps doing minor fixes like adjusting a saddle. He's the unofficial mechanic of our urban cycling group as he's usually seen fixing and adjusting bikes pre-ride

Also, this past March my city was hit by heavy rains that left us with a sinkhole in the largest cycling path. Weeks passed and authorities did nothing so cycling groups went and fixed it on their own (precariously, but it's passable) as it was really dangerous to pass (the road seen it's like our highway, cars pass by at 80 km/h or so and at rush hour you had to wait several minutes for a window of opportunity to be able to pass). Authorities STILL haven't done anything about it, despite being reported several times.

hotbike

Very Informative video from the US Forest Service. If you ever clear trails of Vegetation, you should watch this video, these tips will even work on Roadside Vegetation...

molten

I've had to put up with another BF member, complaining of Me placing my comment in "general discussions" rather than "advocacy & safety." As "general comments" is a broad category/description to be handled. Very disputing.
As further time went by, 'Bike Forums' admin MOVED the THREAD from "general discussions" to "advocacy & safety." Afterall, this be just an internet chat.
Seems very swayed. As said in politicos, endorsed. What do BF members have to do, so that ADMIN listens/responds to the individual members??

molten

As the TOPIC OF MY CHAT: be car-drivers that hit the gas pedal, rather than the brake pedal. (as it be the brake pedal that was intended, instead of the gas pedal). This becoming an increasing problem. Others (like those in the cornfield area) think it be "a joke."

hotbike

Bayville - Oyster Bay "Boardwalk" by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

Bayville - Oyster Bay "Boardwalk" by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr

Good News! The entire Hedgerow is gone! And the opposite side of the road now has a sidewalk. All the utility lines are now underground. You wouldn't recognize the place.

hotbike

Chicken Valley Road by AviationMetalSmith, on Flickr
Whew! Took Three Years, but they came around and repaved the whole road, including the collapsed storm drain...

Chris0516

That reminds me of a storm drain I had reported to the local city government. That instead of it being like this one(which it should be). It is directly in the road. The road was cracked all the way around the drain.