Originally Posted by
ScottStr
Arlington is a prime example of what happens when a city grows faster than it plans and has all its infrastructure built around cars. There are thousands of other cities with the same problem. In fact, most major cities in the US. I'm not sure how much help the bike lanes really are, but it's interesting to see this reaction.
Nailed it right here.
I'm a big proponent of bike friendly infrastructure, but renovating existing infrastructure to accommodate bikes is immediately at odds with the prevailing momentum (towards more car-friendly infrastructure).
Fear is a tremendous motivator - just look at our wacked out, spin-happy "news" media (left and right) with what they've been doing for the past decade. I won't take that one any further....
My point is the SOS site is absolutely saturated with fear. Hell, just the name "SOS" illicits a fearful response by association.
I presently commute on marked, double-stripe, 6' bike lanes for the majority of my 7 mile route (one way) and I really like the lanes. The last mile of my ride is on a modestly busy 6 lane plus center turn lane street. I time my sprint along that road with the lights to avoid getting swallowed by cars.
At no time have I seen traffic congestion on this road. This very road is being re-done to allow a westward extension of the SLC light rail system to the airport, and the traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction, with a parking lane, and a 6' bike lane. I'm really excited about it (if I don't move again before the project is complete), and feel that the road will be just fine - perhaps not as wide open as now, but certainly not bumper to bumper either.
If this were being proposed on a perpetually busy street with congestion problems, I'd oppose it.