Worst city for cycling?
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Worst city for cycling?
I started cycling in San Antonio, TX. There were some hills just outside the city and undeveloped areas near me. Now, I live near Boulder, CO and am in cycling heaven. My wife would love to live in Dallas, TX. It's where I grew up. I think I would quit cycling if I lived there. Flat. Flat. Huge city. No low traffic areas. I think it would be terrible.
Where are the worst places for cycling?
Alan
Where are the worst places for cycling?
Alan
Last edited by RFEngineer; 07-17-16 at 08:16 PM.
#3
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Worst for me was the rural Texas town where I used to live, just north of Fort Worth. Drivers would deliberately try to run you off the road, unless it was a kid on a tricycle or Big Wheel. It was always 20somthing rednecks in pickup trucks, hooting and grunting out the windows like they're reenacting the final scene in Easy Rider. I even knew some of 'em. When I'd see them later I'd say "You know you nearly ran me down the other day." They'd say "Oh, that was you? If I'd known it was you I wouldn't have done that." As if it's okay to run down perfect strangers. They were jerks in high school and jerks in real life, between stints in the pokey for DWI, possession, burglary, and fussin' and feudin' like rednecks.
But that was years ago. Fort Worth has developed into a remarkably bicycle friendly place.
Of my various duty stations when I was in the Navy and bike commuted in the 1970s-'80s, I'd guess Washington DC was the worst, although it wasn't nearly as bad as my former rural Texas town. But I had a lot of close calls, near misses, and at least two hits in traffic around DC, in just one year stationed there.
SoCal was great for cyclists at the time, San Diego, Oceanside and surroundings. No idea what it's like now.
But that was years ago. Fort Worth has developed into a remarkably bicycle friendly place.
Of my various duty stations when I was in the Navy and bike commuted in the 1970s-'80s, I'd guess Washington DC was the worst, although it wasn't nearly as bad as my former rural Texas town. But I had a lot of close calls, near misses, and at least two hits in traffic around DC, in just one year stationed there.
SoCal was great for cyclists at the time, San Diego, Oceanside and surroundings. No idea what it's like now.
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I'm from Euless, I would literally ride around DFW airport and it does suck for cycling though the area I lived in was okay. I would do laps on the 360 north service roads. The worst thing is having to come to a halt for red lights every few minutes but that's just the city. City life sucks. I'm in the country now so I'm good but it looks like things will improve in the metroplex.
A 64-Mile Bike 'Superhighway' Will Connect Fort Worth To Dallas | KERA News
A 64-Mile Bike 'Superhighway' Will Connect Fort Worth To Dallas | KERA News
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When I lived in Atlanta, before I retired, it was the worst city for cycling IMHO.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
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Just from the way the local drive, I'd bet that Boston is a bad place to ride.
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2 months ago, I did a 94 mile ride around NYC and was impressed with all the planned bike routes, maps, bike wat markings, etc.
It's no wonder that so many people make use of the bike lanes. It may not be the best, but I'm sure that it ranks among the best. I always felt safe and shielded from traffic, which let me focus on the ride.
I have no idea which is the worst and glad it's not near me.
It's no wonder that so many people make use of the bike lanes. It may not be the best, but I'm sure that it ranks among the best. I always felt safe and shielded from traffic, which let me focus on the ride.
I have no idea which is the worst and glad it's not near me.
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Fallujah, Iraq?
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I'm from Euless, I would literally ride around DFW airport and it does suck for cycling though the area I lived in was okay. I would do laps on the 360 north service roads. The worst thing is having to come to a halt for red lights every few minutes but that's just the city. City life sucks. I'm in the country now so I'm good but it looks like things will improve in the metroplex.
A 64-Mile Bike 'Superhighway' Will Connect Fort Worth To Dallas | KERA News
A 64-Mile Bike 'Superhighway' Will Connect Fort Worth To Dallas | KERA News
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Hey, I resemble that remark.
In response to this Living Car Free Forum, “What is it like where you are” (in Boston, if you can't guess).
Humbly, if Bike Forums ever had a Best Commute Award, I would be a frontrunner...through one of America’s most charming, interesting, and historic metropolises on residential and light commercial roads (and partially on a bikepath in a park)…during all four (pleasant to tolerable) seasons…
Not to brag, but to illustrate the possibilities.
Boston gets its reputation from the narrow, busy, crazy-quilt roads downtown where most out-of-towners visit, not a great place to drive or cycle, and best traversed by foot or subway, and especially pleasant by foot.
In response to this Living Car Free Forum, “What is it like where you are” (in Boston, if you can't guess).
…Personally the only weather I don’t like to ride in is rain, and no rain would be a desert. That said, I really like riding in all seasons, even winter.So my near perfect weather would present the best of all seasons, without the extremes, and I already live here. Nice, albeit short Spring with beautiful blossoms and that first few weeks of relief from Winter; glorious summer; cool crispy Autumn with colorful foliage; and even a bracing, and challenging Winter, but not one impossible to ride in…
Humbly, if Bike Forums ever had a Best Commute Award, I would be a frontrunner...through one of America’s most charming, interesting, and historic metropolises on residential and light commercial roads (and partially on a bikepath in a park)…during all four (pleasant to tolerable) seasons…
Not to brag, but to illustrate the possibilities.
My experience is that people drive differently in every city and treat cyclists very differently. The best advice often comes from cyclists that live the closest to you ...The exception here would also be Jim from Boston--anyone that can successfully commute around Boston has my full respect and probably knows how to deal with about every intersection imaginable!
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 07-18-16 at 07:18 AM.
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As a descendant of a 5th generation Philadelphian, I would have to admit that Philly is also an awful place for cyclists. Narrow streets, some in "Belgian block", and don't forget the streetcar tracks....
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Narrow streets in urban areas make lousy cycling. I used to cycle in Los Angeles. Very congested. But lots of wide streets with shoulders so it was quite tolerable.
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Atlantis; Venice, Italy, McMurdo Station.
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Edmonton, Canada - depending on the route.
If you can make it through the river valley to your destination, then it's top notch.
Anywhere else in the city - between the road conditions, incomprehension of driving rules and regulations by most motorists, and 'burtans in pickup trucks spewing diesel by revving the engine as they drive by... not recommended.
If you can make it through the river valley to your destination, then it's top notch.
Anywhere else in the city - between the road conditions, incomprehension of driving rules and regulations by most motorists, and 'burtans in pickup trucks spewing diesel by revving the engine as they drive by... not recommended.
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Why are you even asking about the worst? Ask about the best so you know where you might move. The list of bad places is endless. And does your wife really dislike Boulder? It sounds great to me.
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#18
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Miami is terrible. Featureless strip mall landscape, terrible drivers, no shoulders anywhere, blast furnace heat, no cycling culture.
Chicago's surprisingly good for cycling. It's flat but there are lots of great routes in the area, a strong scene and an increasingly bike-friendly government. I like it here.
Chicago's surprisingly good for cycling. It's flat but there are lots of great routes in the area, a strong scene and an increasingly bike-friendly government. I like it here.
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Colorado Springs is very nice for cycling...nicer than Boulder imho.
#20
Me duelen las nalgas
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"Narrow streets, some in "Belgian block", and don't forget the streetcar tracks..."
While I see some folks riding road bikes with super skinny tires, I'm more comfortable with wider tires. Helps when negotiating bricks, ruts and other wheel-grabbers at odd angles. Sometimes those things sneak up on us and we may not have the option to approach at a perpendicular.
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Worst city for cycling?
FYA, earlier this year I started two threads with the intent of getting descriptions of the cycling scene in various cities, intended for a visitor or newly located resident: On the Touring Forum, "Tell me About Cycling in…," and a companion thread on Fifty-Plus, "Tell me About Cycling in Your City." Not necessarily describing the best or worst, but at least candid descriptions by those who know them well.
FYA, earlier this year I started two threads with the intent of getting descriptions of the cycling scene in various cities, intended for a visitor or newly located resident: On the Touring Forum, "Tell me About Cycling in…," and a companion thread on Fifty-Plus, "Tell me About Cycling in Your City." Not necessarily describing the best or worst, but at least candid descriptions by those who know them well.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 07-19-16 at 05:44 AM.
#23
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You're right in a way, but you're wrong in some other ways. Traffic in NYC is insane. The density keeps speeds low, for the most part. The many cyclists keep motorists reminded of the fact that we are there and we're not going away. Lately, I don't get honked at, and many motorists wait for me when I need them to. It's not a relaxing place to ride, but it is very far from the worst, and you might argue that traffic here is the worst in the US, at least by some measures.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#24
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Edmonton, Canada - depending on the route.
If you can make it through the river valley to your destination, then it's top notch.
Anywhere else in the city - between the road conditions, incomprehension of driving rules and regulations by most motorists, and 'burtans in pickup trucks spewing diesel by revving the engine as they drive by... not recommended.
If you can make it through the river valley to your destination, then it's top notch.
Anywhere else in the city - between the road conditions, incomprehension of driving rules and regulations by most motorists, and 'burtans in pickup trucks spewing diesel by revving the engine as they drive by... not recommended.
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I grew up in Miami (cycling); the only thing I miss is the Cuban food...
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