Who claims to have the most bike-unfriendly streets in the U.S., excluding weather?
I haven't been to all major metropolitan areas in the total united states, but I'm going to nominate most of the major cities in North Carolina. Raleigh and Charlotte especially. I feel like motorists here are out to get me.
I hear Portland is great for cycling, with nice, wide bike lanes. And on other posts I see photos of group rides that occasionally drift over the double-yellow for lack of traffic. I don't want to hear about that right now. I'm wondering if I've landed in the worst spot for cycling or not. Is there anyone out there who feels even more pessimistic towards their locale than I do?
Oh, and obviously Juno, Alaska is bike-unfriendly, but that's not what I mean...
North Carolina cities are mild compared to Boston and Miami/Dade County. I live in Northern Virginia and it used to me good before all the development and road conjestion. Road rage is bad and it has carried over to cyclists now as well.
Originally Posted by kuan
You're just trying to start an argument to show how smart you are.
I would have to put Kansas City, MO and all surrounding areas into the mix. Cycling is just not all that popular in this area... it is gaining steam however. Very few bike lanes... In fact, there are so few cyclist, that automobiles don't realize that cyclist have the same rights and follow the same rules. When riding on the roads in this area your head MUST be on a swivel. Additionally... there is very little bike parking as well. The cycling community is growing, but has a VERY long way to go here in Kansas City, Missouri and the surrounding areas.
Integrity isn't a skill..... Either you have it, or you don't!
NC is easy once you get used to all the little "Number-three" wannabes. They aren't out to get you, but considering all the tailgating, I wouldn't expect them to give me much room anyway. With that said, riding away from any city is nice, minus the lack of a shoulder. Cyclists are seen enough to where I get harrassed very little.
My commute, which takes me from Apex, through Cary and through DT Raleigh is surprizingly easy, traffic wise. There are a lot of cars, but each one is a witness. There is the occational honk, but that's to be expected anywhere congested.
I lived in Albuquerque, NM for a few years too. Very compatible. Lots of bike lanes and wide shoulders on top of a very good MUP system. My favorite rides took me out to the east mountains without ever having an incident.
Now, I grew up around Akron, OH. People there are grumpy all the time because the weather sucks. I never biked through the city and never felt comfortable on the roads.
Chatt Vegas, TN. Like riding around with a bullseye on your back. I ride mud only because of it. I work at home so commuting isn't even a part of the equation.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people." - W.C. Fields
if you're riding the streets, every bike lane is little more than a stripe that separates teh gutter from the car lanes. so you're supposed to ride your bike in the debris-strewn, bumpy and cracked as hell gutter. i'd say most drivers are indifferent to bikers and don't go out of their way to harass us, but also don't go out of their way to give us space.
although, if you want to take your chances with peds there is braes bayou and the new bike path from sawyer heights north among other 'mixed use paths'
NC is easy once you get used to all the little "Number-three" wannabes.
Dude you must be an import to NC -------- Have you not figured it out yet??? Earnhardt Rules !!!!!!!! Kidding aside you are absoutely right; the #3 wannabes that drive around here in Redneckistan aka Asheboro will run you off the road, throw shiet at you, spit on you, sic their dawgs on you ------ much safer in the very rural areas between 0900 and 1300 hrs. Lp
if you're riding the streets, every bike lane is little more than a stripe that separates teh gutter from the car lanes. so you're supposed to ride your bike in the debris-strewn, bumpy and cracked as hell gutter. i'd say most drivers are indifferent to bikers and don't go out of their way to harass us, but also don't go out of their way to give us space.
although, if you want to take your chances with peds there is braes bayou and the new bike path from sawyer heights north among other 'mixed use paths'
Houston is pretty bad, and I think you nailed it with the "indifference". Most drivers just don't care one way or the other if you have space.
Bike lanes exist. but worse than the lanes with debris and cracks and such..
Bike lanes--what bike lanes?
The north side of the city is a suburban nightmare with soccer moms in Escalades and men with small ***** syndrome in lifted Ford F150's who think they own road.
With that said, the people in the south side (mostly hispanics) are respectful for the most part and that area has some nice rides. Also, there is good riding in the far far North side (The Hill Country) and surrounding areas.
I find it odd how in this city the people with who are less economically privileged and live in a "worse part" of town are more respectful than the suburbanites to cyclists.
But riding and commuting in the city is a death wish for the most part
Weather is the real assassin. Motorists, you can change their behavior. Get yourself a DiNotte taillight, or a MagicShine, maybe with red cellophane.
Alert drivers that you are there, at goodly enough distance so they can calculate how to get around you. Don't make them see you 50 feet ahead, and closing fast on your a** and get pissed off in frustration. If you don't have a bikelane or a wide strip to stay right, take the lane. With good illumination, ( I mean daytime, where DiNottes wake drivers up, nighttime there are lots of way cheaper alternatives), nobody is going to crash into you. Most people won't even honk.
Get a good taillight. At night, PBSF and Sette do the job. Think of yourself as sending signal-communications to drivers. They will respond. It's not that drivers are incorrigibly hostile to you. Mostly they just can't see you very well. They crash into each other. Give them a heads-up, and you will find you can ride with them.
Beaufort, South Carolina, USA and surrounding islands.
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Originally Posted by Spinz
Dude you must be an import to NC -------- Have you not figured it out yet??? Earnhardt Rules !!!!!!!! Kidding aside you are absoutely right; the #3 wannabes that drive around here in Redneckistan aka Asheboro will run you off the road, throw shiet at you, spit on you, sic their dawgs on you ------ much safer in the very rural areas between 0900 and 1300 hrs. Lp
Dale Earnhardt replaced Jesus Christ in North Carolina aka Upper Redneckistan.
Admiral Motti: "Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure up the stolen data tapes, or given you clairvoyance enough to find the Rebel's hidden fort..."
Darth Vader: "Did you say data tapes? We have the ability to destroy a planet and tape is the best backup medium we have?"
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Originally Posted by kuan
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