Commuting - Road Design

Roads are designed for cars.

Not only are bicyclists disregarded as insignificant, but pedestrians are, too.

This may not bug some, but it says clearly to me, "If you want to be a part of American culture and survive, you must drive a..."

1) Ford
2) Chrysler
3) GM
4) Toyota
5) Nissan
6) Honda
7) Mercedes
8) BMW
9) Volkswagen
10) Kia
11) Mazda
12) Whatever...

If you "drive" a bike of any kind, "sticks and stones will break your bones...oh, and so will potholes, drain grates, uneven pavement, bridge expansion joints, steel road construction plates..."

If you walk, you'd better carry a whistle to alert motorists, or a baseball bat to whack them with as they start to run you over in the crosswalk...

Originally posted by Pete Clark
Roads are designed for cars.

And most of the time not very well...

This is what causes those potholes you're complaining about.

And most of the time not very well...

This is what causes those potholes you're complaining about.


...not to mention the accidents, injuries and deaths on the highways.

John

Originally posted by Pete Clark
Roads are designed for cars.

Not only are bicyclists disregarded as insignificant, but pedestrians are, too.

If you walk, you'd better carry a whistle to alert motorists, or a baseball bat to whack them with as they start to run you over in the crosswalk...

How true, on both counts. At our old office in the Perimeter area, the drivers were pretty good (had to walk in the street, no sidewalks), but as a pedestrian, I learned to like weather that threatened rain...seems the umbrella was more intimidating to the bad drivers than a human body. The umbrella might scratch their car:D

how much money do roading contracters de-fraud from the public -purse when they dont re-surface right up to the edge of the road & build up & a good sized trough for cyclists to get snared in ??

You're right Pete and it's sad :( our road conditions can easily rattle one's teeth loose...

Europe has a great history :) with the bicycle rider. Up till recent years, many europeans could NOT afford or had little need for autos. Consiquently they've used cycling daily and small quality roads have been primary.

The US on the other hand has prided itself in making autos available via financing to a broader spectrum of the population. Autos ended up in most driveways and the need for bicycles to take hold never happend. Because of the volume of autos, more variety of roads were needed to meet the demand, hence poorer conditions. It's not right, but it is reality.

Our roads don't bother my SUV, but they stink when I ride my bike. Bike lanes are saddly not a major issue for our state & local governments. I am affraid bike lanes and quality roads will never get their due.