Advocacy & Safety - Wrong way guy

Captured this a coupla months back.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/prenex/DSCN0764sm-1.jpg

Is that a controlled access freeway?

That's a no-no in most states even if going the right way.

Is that a controlled access freeway?

That's a no-no in most states even if going the right way.

+1

Not to mention there are usually dozens of parallel streets along highways like that. Parallel streets where you can ride just as fast and not have to deal with 65+ MPH traffic.

And going the wrong way on a controlled access freeway means that you will be going against the on-ramp traffic when you are trying to get off the freeway.

I would rate this a 9.7 on the fail-o-meter.

There's a bike path on both sides and the bicycle bridge from which I took this picture. It's not controlled access, but still...

I don't feel I'd be less safe riding the wrong way on the freeway. I typically don't ride the wrong way, though.

It's legal to ride on some sections of the freeways around here. I guess if you're going the wrong way you wouldn't notice the "Bicycles must exit" signs that exist when you approach a "No Ride" zone.

I prefer the freeway 'round here because riding 10 feet away from 70mph traffic with few exit/entrance options feels better than 4 (or fewer) feet away from 50mph traffic with all kindsa driveways and sidestreets.

All depends on the situation, tho.

Maybe he's going for a ride to grab a cup of coffee with Mr. Darwin. ;)

This guy does it a lot. Lots of people have seen him going the wrong way down this road.

I prefer the freeway 'round here because riding 10 feet away from 70mph traffic with few exit/entrance options feels better than 4 (or fewer) feet away from 50mph traffic with all kindsa driveways and sidestreets.

All depends on the situation, tho.

Ain't that the truth...

Is that a cyclist or a ped?. I can't tell.

He should be taking the lane.

Maybe he was picking up litter?

Some people think they're safer that way because they can see the cars coming. My friend told me this, and it blew me away. He doesn't ride, but said if he did, he'd ride facing cars so he could see them coming. I schooled him on how suicidal that is and think I made him understand, but the fact is he just has zero experience with bicycles and just didn't know.

I'd like to know more about the odd right turn the first car is making onto the shoulder (with no apparent exit), while the car behind him has his right blinker on for the same (yet, in the left edge of the lane at a reasonably sharp angle considering that speeds here are probably over 40)...

-Kurt

It is clearly not a limited access roadway as evidenced by the traffic lights showing at top right of the photo. The shoulder here is super wide, and I doubt legal speeds exceed 50 mph given the configuration. This is clearly not a freeway.

I'd want to know how taking the bike paths would compare with his taking the shoulder in terms of where this guy/gal is headed. His reasons for using the road my be more complicated than what shows in a snapshot.

As for riding in the wrong direction, given the huge shoulder, I don't see where his direction of travel is such a big deal. Sure, we can speculate that he'll miss signs directing bike traffic to exit (presence of said signs equally speculative), but, from a photo, we can't tell if he's travelling to the next exit or making a cross country trip.

Given that trailer he's towing, I'm guessing that he has a specific, local destination, and, from the posts here, it is clear he uses this route regularly.

My vote would be to give him the benefit of the doubt absent more information than just the photo.

Caruso

What a surprise for the first car that sees him from the on ramp just up ahead of him.

Some people think they're safer that way because they can see the cars coming. My friend told me this, and it blew me away. He doesn't ride, but said if he did, he'd ride facing cars so he could see them coming. I schooled him on how suicidal that is and think I made him understand, but the fact is he just has zero experience with bicycles and just didn't know.

I know that in some countries, such as Kenya, the rule is to ride the bike against motor traffic. The reasoning might be that at least you can see the guy who's going to hit you, instead of getting hit from the back when you ride parallel to traffic. It's saying: Be a man, take it on the chin. Maybe it is Darwinism at work, natural selection, survival of the fittest, etc.

I've seen cops pulls over wrong way guys/gals in the back roads by my workplace. Unfortunately it's always the poorer members of our society, and I know they don't have the funds to pay the fines, so it's a waste of taxpayer money.

This guy does it a lot. Lots of people have seen him going the wrong way down this road.

Is that 5 heading into St. Paul?

I'd like to see more freeway riders!
right way (http://flickr.com/photos/doyoumindthegap/2801312834/in/photostream/)
Or wrong way. (http://flickr.com/photos/dogseat/2961085693/)
As long as they're not in the same lane at the same time. ;)

I did two mostly-Interstate centuries this past summer and did not see a single other freeway rider!

Is that 5 heading into St. Paul?

That's Hiawatha Avenue. Picture taken from the new Sabo bridge.

It is clearly not a limited access roadway as evidenced by the traffic lights showing at top right of the photo. The shoulder here is super wide, and I doubt legal speeds exceed 50 mph given the configuration. This is clearly not a freeway.

I'd want to know how taking the bike paths would compare with his taking the shoulder in terms of where this guy/gal is headed. His reasons for using the road my be more complicated than what shows in a snapshot.

As for riding in the wrong direction, given the huge shoulder, I don't see where his direction of travel is such a big deal. Sure, we can speculate that he'll miss signs directing bike traffic to exit (presence of said signs equally speculative), but, from a photo, we can't tell if he's travelling to the next exit or making a cross country trip.

Given that trailer he's towing, I'm guessing that he has a specific, local destination, and, from the posts here, it is clear he uses this route regularly.

My vote would be to give him the benefit of the doubt absent more information than just the photo.

Caruso


My vote would be to get both him and carusowi some cyclist education.

That's Hiawatha Avenue. Picture taken from the new Sabo bridge.

I thought that looked familiar.

:)

My vote would be to get both him and carusowi some cyclist education.


Save your education, Aj. I ride plenty, never against traffic. I just don't choose to judge a guy from a snap shot without any additional information.

When I ride, I take care of myself, and would never shoot a pic of a fellow cyclist (I ride with a full load of DSLR photo gear most of the time) just to post it here so that we can take verbal pot shots at the guy.

In my view, that has no positive impact on A&S.

You are entitled to your view, however.

Caruso

Save your education, Aj. I ride plenty, never against traffic. I just don't choose to judge a guy from a snap shot without any additional information.

When I ride, I take care of myself, and would never shoot a pic of a fellow cyclist (I ride with a full load of DSLR photo gear most of the time) just to post it here so that we can take verbal pot shots at the guy.

In my view, that has no positive impact on A&S.

You are entitled to your view, however.

Caruso

I'm with Carusoswi. Too many A&S "educators" post as if advocacy consists of whining about the failings of "other cyclists" who don't look or seem to act as perfectly/competently as themselves. What exactly is the point of the OP and the ill informed finger pointers? My advice no advocacy is better than this brand of contempt for "other cyclists" hurled by BF advocates.

Sometimes, going the wrong way is easier and safer than trying to get across six lanes of traffic. At least there's plenty of room.

I don't see what he is doing as being particularly dangerous except at ramps. Then it could be a big problem. Wrong way riders seem to ride as far to the side of the shoulder as possible, which would be ok most of the time. It's when they aren't on a shoulder that the problems really show up.

I don't see what he is doing as being particularly dangerous except at ramps. Then it could be a big problem. Wrong way riders seem to ride as far to the side of the shoulder as possible, which would be ok most of the time. It's when they aren't on a shoulder that the problems really show up.

And if the cyclist has to cross a ramp, he will be required to look and wait for traffic to clear. Given the existence of the wide shoulders portrayed, it ain't that hard or unsafe, despite the silliness of the A&S fussbudgets.

I agree with unterhausen.

When there is a reasonably wide marked shoulder I can see how riding against traffic might make sense. There are a few issues with it. Traffic turning onto the street could be surprised. Also, other bikes traveling in the correct direct makes for an interesting situation.

As for me, I'll keep riding the correct direction.

As for riding on controlled access highways with full width breakdown lanes, I think they are a FAR safer place to ride. The exception to this is in congested areas with lots of busy on and off ramps. It's to bad most governments don't agree and ban bikes.