Commuting - If you were king of the world, what would you do for biking?

If you were king of the world, what would you do to make bicycle commuting more popular?

Weeeellll, of course I would be tempted to outlaw motorcars, but that would mean I would have to bike my aging parents around, so that's out.

However, I would like to see some REAL bike roads in the USA designed to actually bring bicyclists somewhere useful rather than just cruising through neighborhoods and parks. These would be bicycle roads physically separated from the auto lanes; not just a painted line. I want to be separated from the drunk drivers that have killed four bicyclist in my town of 120,000 within this year. (You guessed it, I live in Wisconsin where the best way to minimize punishment for hit and run is to claim you were drunk at the time).

Oh, and as a bicycling king of the world, I would hope to be an ambassador for the bicycling image. I would like the bicycle to be thought of as the transportation of the noble people and not only as a tool of aluminum can collectors and the less fortunate.

How about you?

Mike

The first thing I would do is scrap the subsidies that keep gas prices artificially low. A lot of governemtns in the developed world like to waste my taxes on this crap and I don't think it helps our cause. I'd also execute the pick-up truck driver who almost wiped me out yesterday (there were only a matter of inches in this one people).

I'd also have a law that any motorist who runs down a cyclist is automatically charged with first-degree murder unless they can actually prove their were extenuating circumstances (I agree that drunkeness should not be an excuse).

Meaningful bicycle roads is an interesting suggestion, but sooner or later they'd have to interact with the other roads. I think the real solution is control of the semi-evolved motoring primate (and after last night, I'm not convinced that they are anywhere near human).

Chris

O.K., Chris, I will vote for you as king for at least a day. I like your ideas.

I wonder how Gore and Bush would do if they had some original ideas like "death to bicycle killing motorists". Well, at least we can guess that they would not get the drunken driver votes.

Of course, Bush and his oil industry pals would not be hip on your idea to eliminate petro subsidies, but he would probably like any idea that includes death the penalties like you suggested.

Mike

[Edited by mike on 10-12-2000 at 09:19 AM]

The death penalty bit was my little joke. I'm not so sure about the motoring primate bit.

Just one question, are you for real about the "the best way to minimize punishment for hit and run is to claim you were drunk at the time" bit. I would have thought they might have had some kind of law about driving drunk. If a friend of mine was on the receiving end of a hit and run (with drunkenness being used as the excuse), I'd be REALLY pissed off.

Chris

Sad to say, "Yes", being drunk seems to be the best excuse for hitting and killing bicyclists in Wisconsin. We had a case late last year where a drunk driver ran over a bicyclist and dragged him to his death more than 30 yards before finally stopping due to the screeching sound of the bike under his car.

He was only sentanced to one year in Jail and 10 years probations.

Alchohol rules in Wisconsin. The federal government is trying to encourage states to adopt more stringent blood alchohol levels. Naturally, Tommy Thompson, the Governer of Wisconsin strongly opposes these higher standards.

Mike

Mike

[Edited by mike on 10-14-2000 at 07:52 PM]

About two years ago a guy in Utah ran into 4 cyclists, killing two and paralyzing one, as if that wasn't bad enough, the guy had that was driving the pickup truck (you could have guessed that part) had 7 DUI's in the last 10 years or so, that just makes me sick to my stomach.

I thing the states should have a no-excuse policy on drunk drivers, first time caught, the government takes away your driving privileges for three years, and takes away any cars you have... I know this would cut down on ALOT of drunk driving, and int. drunk driving the #1 cause of accidents now?

Sadly, i doubt any law like that could ever get passed in the USA, but from what I understand, England has a law some what like that? can anyone clue me in on England's law against drunk drivers?

Anywho... back to the original subject, if I were king for one day, I would add a bike lane to every heavy traffic street, and make sure that its a car-free zone, by enforcing it heavily, I was almost killed once when i had to go around a FedEx truck who decided he had the right to park in the bike lane. I would also give major tax cuts to those who bike to work more then 50% of the year, however, i would have no idea how to do that. :) I would also require all jobs to have showers! My last job didn't have a shower at work, it sucked!

I think that's all :D

I would be a cautious and polite king and decree that immediately 10% of the roads in each city be for HPVs, 10% be for pedestrians, and 80% be for stinkmobiles.

The proportion would be adjusted by 10% each year, so in five years poison-emitters would no longer be legal.

On the pedestrian half of the city streets bicycles could be pushed, but not ridden. Low-speed deliveries of heavy goods by pedal-powered or no-emission trucks would be acceptable.

I would systematically recall every vehicle on the road and have it's doors replaced with sliding mini-van style doors. That way, we cyclists would no longer have to be concerned with people opening their doors as we pass.
Just recently myself and my bestest cycling buddy almost ate a door, not from a parked car but from a vehicle in the right lane. It was completely insane. I was convinced at first that it was intentional but then I saw it was some wacked out of her skull lady with a stupid little dog in her lap. A motorist even saw this and pulled up beside us and expressed his shock.
To top it off, the lady was in a mini-van. I understand why min-van drivers and their passengers are so collectively out of it. Think I'll ban the van when I'm king too. And I'll have all new cars made out of a softer material like toulet-paper or cotton or something. I'd smack into cars intentionally.
Then I'd step down as king and bring back democracy but not before I gave myself a hefty retirement package.

I like kittyfurry's idea to make cars out of soft toilet paper. Maybe she works for Kimberly-Clark or something. One major advantage of her idea is that we wouldn't have to wipe our noses on our gloves any more. We could just blow our noses on the cars. Hey, now that IS a neat idea!

Here is another idea: All obsticles would have to be moved out of bike lanes and off of sidewalks. For example, most streets where I live don't have bike lanes, so I have to take the sidewalks - the streets are just too dangerous. Anyway, there are so many street light poles, train crossing doo-hicky-majiggs, fences, and stuff that it is a real Evil Kneivel ride trying to avoid them at even 12 miles per hour.

Let's move all that crap into the middle of the street and be done with it.

Thar! Thars an idea worth pondering!

I think kittyfurry is male... atleast, thats what his website says :)

I do however agree 100% with getting rid of minivans! I have had too many close calls with "soccer moms" then i care to count... crazy.

Yep I'm a boy. I usually use madcat but that's kinda common so I switch to kittyfury from time to time even though it sounds like a girl. But since I'm king of the world I can have whatever name I want. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go down to the street and wipe my butt on a mini-van.:)

You said it, Joe. What is with women in mini-vans? I know it is, in fact, a predjudice statement but I stand by it:

"I have had more close calls and clips from women drivers (in mini-vans and cars) than any other category." If only it weren't true, but it is. Why do these Mamas think the rode is only theirs and you are in their space? VROOM straight they go with absolutely no effort to give the steering wheel a little turn to go around the bicyclist. Either you get hit or it is a near miss. When they do clip you, they just keep going straight without stopping.

Is this only in my community? Maybe in some other location it is the middle aged men who have it out for the bicyclist.

Hey... that would be an interesting new thread...

Mike



[Edited by mike on 10-18-2000 at 10:47 PM]

Well, I live in Queensland, Australia, which seems to have a few rednecks. Most of them get around in pick-up trucks, and as a consequence I've had more close encounters with them than with anybody else. A lot of them (but not all) seem to be driven by middle aged men too. I tend to think it has a bit to do with the warm climate I live in melting the brains of some people.

On a slightly more serious note, I would also push for more stringent policing of existing road rules. My commute is around 20 miles and I ride it on roads all the way. Believe it or not, I find riding on the road to be pretty safe, but it would be more so if people actually followed the road rules occasionally.

Chris

So... That is where the bad male drivers are - in Australia! In the USA, the bad male drivers are usually drunk which is worse than a bad sober female driver (unless she just had an argument with her boyfriend and is driving around trying to "cool down and clear her head").

I can't agree with your idea to police more. In the USA, police abuse the power they have and they mistakenly assume power they don't have. There are few terrors on the road as abusive as a bored police officer looking for someone to nail. I think it is better to design roads that don't need much policing such as bike lanes separated from auto traffic by physical barriers.

On the topic of Police, I saw something awesome tonight. There was this cop on his bicycle riding along at night. He was just cruising casually in the left lane. I'm sure he had to make a left turn up ahead but cars were slowing down behind him. It was just strange. Obviously nobody honked.
Polce and bicycles could be a thread unto itself.

Chris:

That must have been a neat sight watching all those cars treating a bicyclist with respect. When I drive a car, it is a dark blue Caprice Classic just like the unmarked cop cars here. I usually get people slowing down and being careful when they see my car. Now, I have to find the bicycle equivelant of a Caprice Classic.

I have an old bicyle book from the 1960's showing a bicycle mounted policeman. Unfortunately, he was on a boy's Western Flyer kiddy-bike that was way too small for the police officer.

Too bad he looked like such a goober from Mayberry. Nobody would have taken him seriously especially in those days of muscle cars and Johnny Atlas. It was probably some kind of punishment to be on bicycle patrol in those days in that town.

Does anybody know if we can attach files to these messages? If we can, I'll post a scan of this vintage photo

[Edited by mike on 10-23-2000 at 05:59 PM]

Mike, to post an image to these forums, use "vB" code found here (http://www.bikeforums.com/forum/index.php?action=bbcode)...

Thanks, Joe!

I will give it a try tonight.

Keep your eyes here for a vintage photo of a bicycle policeman in the early 1960's.

I would put the exaust pipe on the front of cars so they can suck on their own dusty pipes for a change rather than having us cyclists have to swallow it.:)
I just thought of that on my bike ride to work this morning.

I would require everyone to have passed traffic safety courses including drivers, riders and pedestrians. The traffic rules would be standardized and would emphasize courtesy.
Drunken driving would have mandatory prison time, revocation of license everywhere for life and addiction treatment.
Traffic deaths would be treated as manslaughter
All traffic lanes would be 12 feet wide, with 8 foot shoulder on highways
Cars would be required to use a passing lane when overtaking bicycles where possible or give three feet clearance to bicycles.
Cyclists who abuse their rights and priviledges would face jail time or fines, (we have dopes in our ranks too)
Get everyone a bike everywhere

The above are some pretty sensible suggestions. If fuel prices decided to rise up out of Disneyland, that would help too.

Chris

Originally posted by pat5319

All traffic lanes would be 12 feet wide, with 8 foot shoulder on highways
Cars would be required to use a passing lane when overtaking bicycles where possible or give three feet clearance to bicycles.
Cyclists who abuse their rights and priviledges would face jail time or fines, (we have dopes in our ranks too)


I would actually narrow the lanes to 8 feet wide - maybe less, forcing drivers to pay more attention to their driving and leaving space for bike lanes at the same time, saving on infrastructure costs of adding lanes. (I'm a frugal king.)

In my jurisdiction, it is already required to pass in the passing lane where possible and give 39" (1 metre) clearance. As king I would enforce the rules.

Amen to dealing with dangerous cyclists. I spend a lot of time as a pedestrian too and getting cyclists off the sidewalks would be one of my first priorities. Obviously, small children accompanied by a pedestrian adult would be excepted.

I would also add a graduated surtax to all non-commercial vehicles that get less than 40 miles per (Imperial) gallon. It wouldn't do much for cycling per se, but it would clean up our air for those who chose to breathe it a little more than the average.

I would make all urban and sub-urban cops spend at least two years on a bike. I figure this would provide some incentive for enforcement of the rules.

I'm seeing some great ideas in this forum, keep them coming.

Bubba

As to the men women arguement, while I have run across a disproportionate number of women who drive with their eyes fixed on the hood ornament, I've never had one throw a beer bottle at me - attempted murder in my kingdom!

Bubba

[Edited by Bubba on Feb 19th at 10:25 AM]

I like pat5319's suggestions. Maybe lane widths of 14 as well, no bike lane (debris trap). Tax credits for cyclists (everyone else get 'em). Enforce speed limits; prosecute motorists who hit/endanger cyclists. A bike for everyone? How about another one for me, I'd like to try a recumbent.

The first thing I would do is ban the construction of all off-road cyclepaths. Why? Because they are bloody dangerous. I tried one for the first and last time the other day. Never again. It didn't matter that the road was packed, six lanes and had no shoulder. I felt safer there.

Chris

Chris L., with all due respect to those who prefer and/or advocate paths, my experience is similar to yours. I started out on them, thinking that the designers were "experts". Well, they probably are experts, but not in anything to do with cycling.

In the Southern U.S., we have all come to understand the meaning of the phrase, "separate, but equal". There is really nothing new under the sun: the problems of such a system, whether for separating races from each other or cyclists from motor traffic, is lost on those who benefit the most from it. I do not want a "cycling welfare program", but to have the same rights as all other vehicles on the road. Doesn't the law already give me that?

What would be the perfect bikeway system? A system which would allow bicycle travel from any location to any other location as directly as possible, with a minimum of intersections or interruptions. In other words, the street. How would motorists respond if the government told them, "Now, for the betterment of your motoring pleasure, we are dedicating all streets to you, with the small exception of the interstate highway system, which will now be only for trucks. We will continue to work for your safety and convenience, protecting you from the dangers of trucking traffic." I don't think so.

He who is untrustworthy in small matters will also be untrustworthy in greater things. We cyclists are told that our safety is paramount, while at the same time speed limits go unheeded and unenforced. Cyclists who are mistreated and/or injured by motor traffic are not protected. But we are promised a cycling utopia in the form of bike paths.

Thanks for your input.

Personally I think off-road cyclepaths are designed as a political tool for governments to gain as much of the "green" vote as they can at the next election by demonstrating a "commitment to sustainable transport".

So what is this commitment? A path that disappears every 40 metres or so, is littered with broken glass (love those flats) has lots of stupid little corners that go nowhere, and the overhanging branches are trying to decapitate cyclists outright.

I rest my case.

Chris

Hey, Chris L.-- not that it matters, but I noticed you were from Queensland. I lived in Brisbane for 11 mos. back in the mid '70's. I was only about 14 at the time, so I can't say I am an authority. I've got some awesome memories.. and the Sheilas! The short skirts & tanned legs...eeeeeeeeeee.) I am married now, so that's enough of that!

It's really kind of a small world. Fair dinkum!

Keep on truckin', mate.

Well, Pete, I is living on the Gold Coast now, about 50 miles or so south of Brisbane. Hey, my commute runs right alongside Surfers Paradise beach, and I ain't married! Life is good.

Chris

Yup, it is!

If I were king of the world, i would make ownership of a motor vehicle "illegal", just daydreaming, so that cyclist will have a free reign on the road

>If you were king of the world, what would you do to make bicycle commuting more popular?


1. I would declare that cars can only ride in the bike lane or on the right side of the road (one at a time ). The rest of the road being reserved for bikes and public transport.

2. Raise tax on gas.

3. Raise tax on car ownership.

4. Possibly give a ticket to drivers when the car has more than two empty seats (such a waste, cars are for 4 people and there is seldom more than the driver in it).

4. With the money gained with these taxes, buy a lot of bikes and create public bike stations where everybody could (freely) borrow or drop in a public bike.

5. Ban cars in the city center.

Now, Make me King!

Okay, I hereby crown you king!!!!!

I second the motion to make you king! :thumbup:

Chris

If you ride a bike, you're already king! (I know this is true, because when everyone else gets out of their cars, they have trouble with that long walk to the front door. So who's got the REAL power?) Hehe.

I was King of the world, I would certainly add more bike lanes and bike roads. I would also Impose many of the severe penalties discussed in other threads. But on the subject of police, I have a story to share, I have an example on bike lanes too.

First the police story, My commute to work used to be about 2.5 miles, I rode my bike most of the time, unless I had to catch a plan or take a client out. On many occassions I would add on mileage on the way home. I lived in small city outside of Houston Texas, the roads were ok and the route I used to add miles was primarily residential with four lane avenues. One day while riding I hear a car behind coming up kinda fast, I turn to look and I see a cop car coming in the far left lane. No problem I think I am far over to the right, the he swerves into the right lane and brushes my knee with his mirror. Then he goes back into the left lane. I can only think it was intentional. I was really pissed off but there was not much I could about. I did not see any good coming from reporting him. I did make a mental note of the car number though. And I have since moved.

On the subject of bike lanes, I would love to commute by bike, but it just does not seem safe to I would have to cross a bridge that has no shoulder at all and take a highway feeder road also with no shoulder, combine that with rush hour attitudes and there are some risks I am not willing to take. But the city of houston has recieved some bad press with regards to federal funding which was provided to the city to improve the bicycle infrastructure. It appears that the money was used for other purposes. Well now they are trying to do damage control. So the Park and Ride by house has been fitted with bicycle parking areas. But there is no way to safely ride to the Park and Ride because there is no bike lane. And many of the recently designated bike lanes go nowhere and do not connect with residentail area so there is no way to use them.

So if I was king our politicans would have to ride bikes to work in order to keep the jobs. And cops would have to do at least one bike patrol per week, on the road not on bike paths.

Incidently the area I live in now is completely linked with bike trails separate from the road and it very nice, thats why I moved there. But those trails only get you around town.

Some other things,
Dog on leashes or in yards.
Special training for drivers of Suburbans and similar vehicles.
Regarding the women drivers, It has been my experience that if you can make eye contact with them they are less likely to run into you. Men seem to take eye contact as a sort of challenge.

Be careful out there

Originally posted by DonTx


One day while riding I hear a car behind coming up kinda fast, I turn to look and I see a cop car coming...he swerves into the right lane and brushes my knee with his mirror. Then he goes back into the left lane...

...But the city of houston has recieved some bad press with regards to federal funding which was provided to the city to improve the bicycle infrastructure. It appears that the money was used for other purposes. Well now they are trying to do damage control. So the Park and Ride by house has been fitted with bicycle parking areas. But there is no way to safely ride to the Park and Ride...



Point #1: Police that behave like that are VERY scary, should be busted down to Sanitary Engineer (no offense to Sanitary Engineers, sorry!).

Point #2: Seems like our "politically correct" transportation system planners are obligated to show their commitment to bicycle transportation is sincere. Funny how no one but cyclists notice how totally impractical their hypocritical "solutions" are. That is perfect: bicycle parking without adequate road facilities connecting to it. Like a picnic table with no paths near it.
I wish they would ask us cyclists what we actually want.

Once again, Pete Clark makes a lot of sense. The reason I never use off-road bike paths is that they are totally impractical. None of them actually go anywhere, they have stupid, pointless little corners in them (can someone pullease tell me why?), and also feature overhanging branches and broken glass. A total waste of time in my view.

I heard a quote last year that the Gold Coast City Council was spending $AU3 million on cycling facilities. Too bad they didn't ask either of the advocacy groups what sort of facilities they want.

Personally, I think many of them are built to keep drivers happy (that's right, drivers) by getting as many cyclists as possible off the road. Well it won't work. I will remain a 365-day cycle-commuter and continue to ride on the road.

Chris

That would be King Dorko, right? (see Bd-Dg-Er's post - The Onion's Bicycle-Safety Tips)
:D

Encounters between police and bicyclists are a mixed bag. When one of my cycle-commuter friends was honked, hassled, and endangered by a motorist while lawfully taking a left-turn lane, a passing motorcycle cop said, "Let me handle this," and pulled the offending motorist over to cite him. I also think the county sheriff's bicycle patrol program improves relations between local cyclists and law enforcement. But yes, I also have heard horror stories about law enforcement personnel who are unaware of cyclists' rights!

Back to the original thread: If I were the benevolent dictator, I would require all physically able prospective motorists, traffic engineers, and politicians to take an Effective Cycling course. I would make it much more difficult to obtain and to retain a driver's license, and I would institute a gasoline tax which would automatically cover every motorist with $500K liability insurance. Those wishing greater protection could continue to buy it from private insurers.

I agree with John E. Some police are real heroes to bicyclist. I have been really impressed by the way some police have taken up my cause and chased offenders.

One officer even contacted an offending drivers after I reported her by telephone. He even called me back to follow-up with me.

Of course, there are some less professional police as well.

If I was king of the world, I would glorify the good police and get rid of the rif-raf cops.

If I were king I will surely make "Mike" my right hand man, what else can you expect from the guy, he" every king mans asset, do you agree with me ChristL and Dave....:thumbup:

If I was kind of the world, there would be no police as we know it. Just a Revolutionary Militia of the People. Cars driver offenders would be send for trial and be judge by the royal-revolutionary Tribunal.

I am afraid that I cannot agree with the earlier comments. I tend to find that US police is violent, repressive and scary, when compared to many other countries.

Hey, thanks, Oscar. When you are king, I am there for you, man.

To respond to PapeteeBooh: Ya, there are some troubles with some USA police, but generally, most of them at least mean well. Some are real heroes.

I have travelled enough overseas to know that cops in many foreign countries are criminals in the truest sense of the word. I could tell you some horrific stories of things I have seen and experienced that would make you grab your local USA policeman and kiss him straight on the lips.

Kissing a policeman straight on the lips, that will never happen to me but maybe a policewoman I can kiss straight from the lips, anytime .....

Speaking of police as they relate to bicycling:

Yesterday on my way home from work, one of our major streets was closed off because a high speed chase ended in a multi-car collision. Cops were everywhere as were ambulances.

There were a couple of cops walking along the street looking for something. A swung by to see what was going on and by some coincidence, I knew one of the policemen socially.

The chase started because of a gang related drive-by shooting. The police were looking for the weapon which the shooters had thrown out of the car.

The kids were out of school and were teaming on the street. I asked if I could help and the police asked if I could bike up along the side-walk and try to find the gun before the kids did.

Ya! Dis is der fahrad man to da rescue der hey! I would like to write to tell you that I found the gun, but, I did not. Still, it was cool that the police recognized a biker could do what a foot-police or car-police could not do - cover a large distance of off-road area quickly.

Preparation meet opportunity.

My wife wants me to clean the garage and get rid of some of my "old faithful" bikes.

Ahh, I just can't do it. Maybe if I sell the car to make more space...

Anyway, how about this one:

If I MIKE, were King of the World, every community would have a Memorial museum for all bikes that provided exceptional service to their owners. No need for memorial plots to honor some forgetable mayor or founder of this or that. Here would be the glorious display of bikes which deserve honor and recognition.

Thar, how's THAT fer an idea.

I would restrict cars to car-lanes and car-paths. he he :D