what one thing would you do to make things better for cyclists?
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Originally Posted by rando
let's say you have one wish and *POOF* things would instantly change in your community. what would you wish for to make things better for cyclists in your community?
Similarly as a cyclist, I try and be as aware of the road around me as possible; ride as carefully and courteously as I can.
roughstuff
#28
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Originally Posted by sbhikes
A comprehensive network of bikeways, lined with natural vegetation, so you can ride anywhere you want in peace and quiet or listen to your headphones and actually HEAR the music, and see hawks flying above, critters skittering below, hear birds, watch ducks in the creek or dolphins in the ocean, smell flowers, see and FEEL the changing of the seasons.
But I guess since your riding a recumbent and wearing Oakleys, that doesn't concern you.
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Real driver education and training. Graduated licensing with difficult tests. In areas of the world where this is practiced, it makes a much bigger difference than multiple air bags and traction control.
Az
Az
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death penalty for bike thieves.
by lethal anal-probe injection.
i'm thinking the WWE's leftover barbed-wire-wrapped baseball bats....
by lethal anal-probe injection.
i'm thinking the WWE's leftover barbed-wire-wrapped baseball bats....
#31
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I would like some real research into how to design roads to accept multimodal traffic (cars, bikes, peds). So far, most the efforts have been somewhat of a cross between "rule of thumb", guesswork/experience, and hit-and-miss. I say this because the most common complaint is "well cyclists have only themselves to blame for getting hit - the road just isn't built for bicycles, it is the realm of cars..." or something to that extent. So, why not start building roads to accept of all forms of transportation.
But some real money should go into this, starting at the university level and working its way up to implementation on the street. It is a real engineering problem, mixing cars and bikes, and cycling must, at some point, be depoliticized and get some real, ol' fashion, nuts and bolts research. We have too many amateur "experts", too many "general purpose" advocates, and way too little research and development going on.
But some real money should go into this, starting at the university level and working its way up to implementation on the street. It is a real engineering problem, mixing cars and bikes, and cycling must, at some point, be depoliticized and get some real, ol' fashion, nuts and bolts research. We have too many amateur "experts", too many "general purpose" advocates, and way too little research and development going on.
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Originally Posted by Brian Ratliff
I would like some real research into how to design roads to accept multimodal traffic (cars, bikes, peds). So far, most the efforts have been somewhat of a cross between "rule of thumb", guesswork/experience, and hit-and-miss. I say this because the most common complaint is "well cyclists have only themselves to blame for getting hit - the road just isn't built for bicycles, it is the realm of cars..." or something to that extent. So, why not start building roads to accept of all forms of transportation.
But some real money should go into this, starting at the university level and working its way up to implementation on the street. It is a real engineering problem, mixing cars and bikes, and cycling must, at some point, be depoliticized and get some real, ol' fashion, nuts and bolts research. We have too many amateur "experts", too many "general purpose" advocates, and way too little research and development going on.
But some real money should go into this, starting at the university level and working its way up to implementation on the street. It is a real engineering problem, mixing cars and bikes, and cycling must, at some point, be depoliticized and get some real, ol' fashion, nuts and bolts research. We have too many amateur "experts", too many "general purpose" advocates, and way too little research and development going on.
It's not an engineering problem. It's a basic math problem. Assuming you want to provide continuous segregated routes, as much as possible, for each mode, it's the intersections that are the problem. The intersections are a problem for just a single mode problem. The engineering problem is that we're trying to do this on essentially a single plane. That means you have to stop certain flows across an intersection to allow another through (stop signs, traffic signals). The alternative is much more expensive; grade separation.
When you add a second mode to the problem, that complicates the problem. Others understand this, and so seek to eliminate cars, for example.
But adding a third mode, that's really impractical. You either have impractically expensive multi-grade solutions at intersections, or you have to allow mode-specific flows at intersections, adding delay for everyone. Again, this is already a problem in just a bimodal system (consider how many peds are killed per year).
Adding a third mode to bimodal transportation system complicates everything by probably an order of magnitude. That makes it impractical.
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Here we go. Do you really have to correct peoples wishes too?
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Multi modal should also include transit such as busses, street cars, light rail, etc. Plus freight, which is a separate category from passenger vehicles.
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Originally Posted by goinfs
I'd wish that the 5% of selfish and idiot cyclists would start sharing the road in a respectful manner so they wouldn't give the other 95% of us such a bad reputaion with motorists who also have a 5% population of selfish and idiotic people who give them a bad reputation with us.
Near the other end is what I'd wish for. Well maintained streets. Helps both cars and bikes.
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Originally Posted by chipcom
Here we go. Do you really have to correct peoples wishes too?
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Originally Posted by Helmet Head
Brian's "wish" seemed serious... and problematic...
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#39
Senior Member
Trimodal? No. Multimodal, in the sense of Randya's post above.
Is the problem difficult? Of course. Does this mean we shy away? No. Otherwise we would never have FEA and CFD designed bicycles weighing 17 lbs (who in the world would want a 17 lb bicycle, and why apply aerospace design tools on something as little as a bicycle; you know, those tools cost several $10,000 for a single seat for a single year). We wouldn't have modern cars (make an engine block out of aluminum? Impossible! Stick with steel as the design problems are an order of magnitude less. Aluminum is utterly impractical).
And I think, HH, you are mistaking my mind's eye vision. If you are thinking any thoughts revolving around bike lanes, you are wrong. I didn't color this wish with a preconcieved notion of the solution! In my mind's eye, I am just now getting my arms wrapped around the problem. I don't know the solution. But I can tell that all attempts at it so far are only partial solutions. But really, what's the fun in solving a problem if the solution is already known?
And how in the world is this not an engineering problem?
Basic math problem... That talk's for quitters .
Is the problem difficult? Of course. Does this mean we shy away? No. Otherwise we would never have FEA and CFD designed bicycles weighing 17 lbs (who in the world would want a 17 lb bicycle, and why apply aerospace design tools on something as little as a bicycle; you know, those tools cost several $10,000 for a single seat for a single year). We wouldn't have modern cars (make an engine block out of aluminum? Impossible! Stick with steel as the design problems are an order of magnitude less. Aluminum is utterly impractical).
And I think, HH, you are mistaking my mind's eye vision. If you are thinking any thoughts revolving around bike lanes, you are wrong. I didn't color this wish with a preconcieved notion of the solution! In my mind's eye, I am just now getting my arms wrapped around the problem. I don't know the solution. But I can tell that all attempts at it so far are only partial solutions. But really, what's the fun in solving a problem if the solution is already known?
And how in the world is this not an engineering problem?
Basic math problem... That talk's for quitters .
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"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
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"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#40
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Originally Posted by Helmet Head
Brian's "wish" seemed serious... and problematic...
I have yet to see a serious and well funded attempt at researching the problem of putting bicycles and drivers on the same road in a frictionless way.
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"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
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Originally Posted by Brian Ratliff
Trimodal? No. Multimodal, in the sense of Randya's post above.
Is the problem difficult? Of course. Does this mean we shy away? No. Otherwise we would never have FEA and CFD designed bicycles weighing 17 lbs (who in the world would want a 17 lb bicycle, and why apply aerospace design tools on something as little as a bicycle; you know, those tools cost several $10,000 for a single seat for a single year). We wouldn't have modern cars (make an engine block out of aluminum? Impossible! Stick with steel as the design problems are an order of magnitude less. Aluminum is utterly impractical).
And I think, HH, you are mistaking my mind's eye vision. If you are thinking any thoughts revolving around bike lanes, you are wrong. I didn't color this wish with a preconcieved notion of the solution! In my mind's eye, I am just now getting my arms wrapped around the problem. I don't know the solution. But I can tell that all attempts at it so far are only partial solutions. But really, what's the fun in solving a problem if the solution is already known?
And how in the world is this not an engineering problem?
Basic math problem... That talk's for quitters .
Is the problem difficult? Of course. Does this mean we shy away? No. Otherwise we would never have FEA and CFD designed bicycles weighing 17 lbs (who in the world would want a 17 lb bicycle, and why apply aerospace design tools on something as little as a bicycle; you know, those tools cost several $10,000 for a single seat for a single year). We wouldn't have modern cars (make an engine block out of aluminum? Impossible! Stick with steel as the design problems are an order of magnitude less. Aluminum is utterly impractical).
And I think, HH, you are mistaking my mind's eye vision. If you are thinking any thoughts revolving around bike lanes, you are wrong. I didn't color this wish with a preconcieved notion of the solution! In my mind's eye, I am just now getting my arms wrapped around the problem. I don't know the solution. But I can tell that all attempts at it so far are only partial solutions. But really, what's the fun in solving a problem if the solution is already known?
And how in the world is this not an engineering problem?
Basic math problem... That talk's for quitters .
But no research is required to understand the basic problem. We know what it takes to add another mode to an existing transport system. Look at any railroad system. Or how about a subway... that's right, use a separate plain (I've long called for the undergrounding of all motor vehicles - wouldn't that be nice?).
There just aren't that many categories of choices. You either spend inordinate resources to handle the new mode entirely separatedly (like a railroad, and just as limited in terms of source, destination and route), or the freeway system, you put it on a separate plain (like a subway, or the Disneyland monorail), or you (and everyone else) takes the hit (literally) at intersections, either with multi-grade/multi-mode facilities, or with added delays.
There is no other way.
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I wish most cyclists considered themselves to be vehicles and not do things like.....riding at night without lights, ride on the sidewalk, pass on the right then yell at the motorists who almost turns right into them etc.
#43
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Originally Posted by Helmet Head
I didn't think you were thinking bike lanes.
But no research is required to understand the basic problem. We know what it takes to add another mode to an existing transport system. Look at any railroad system. Or how about a subway... that's right, use a separate plain (I've long called for the undergrounding of all motor vehicles - wouldn't that be nice?).
There just aren't that many categories of choices. You either spend inordinate resources to handle the new mode entirely separatedly (like a railroad, and just as limited in terms of source, destination and route), or the freeway system, you put it on a separate plain (like a subway, or the Disneyland monorail), or you (and everyone else) takes the hit (literally) at intersections, either with multi-grade/multi-mode facilities, or with added delays.
There is no other way.
There just aren't that many categories of choices. You either spend inordinate resources to handle the new mode entirely separatedly (like a railroad, and just as limited in terms of source, destination and route), or the freeway system, you put it on a separate plain (like a subway, or the Disneyland monorail), or you (and everyone else) takes the hit (literally) at intersections, either with multi-grade/multi-mode facilities, or with added delays.
There is no other way.
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Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#44
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there was a picture in my "Amsterdam" thread of a median bikeway in Bogota. maybe that's a concept to pursue. there's always going to be challenges and problems. there's not going to be a perfect system, ever.... but I think it's time to try some new things. the old ways sure haven't worked, and won't work for anything but an autocentric society.
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Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
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Originally Posted by rando
there was a picture in my "Amsterdam" thread of a median bikeway in Bogota.
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OK, people, let's get back on subject -- impossible dream wish list, not a discussion of bike-friendly road facilities! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
(some of you could kill the buzz of a hummer....)
(some of you could kill the buzz of a hummer....)
#47
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Originally Posted by chipcom
Free pie at work for all bicycle commuters.
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Originally Posted by donnamb
Since we're talking about a wish here... A comprehensive driver's education curriculum that all people who want a driver's license must take. Begin preparing at a young age with good pedestrian and cyclist education in grade school. Mandatory written and road tests every 5 years required in order to renew driver's license.
Hey, anyone have a magic want I could borrow? I've misplaced mine.
Hey, anyone have a magic want I could borrow? I've misplaced mine.
I mean...
I agree with education beginning at a very young age. The founder of the children's theatre I volunteer for believed that if you taught children kindness at a young age, they would go up practicing it. I am a very strong believer in that.
If children grew up with tolerance and respect to cyclists, when they became adults, they would likely be more open to A) cycling, B) research into cycling friendly facilities.
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Originally Posted by Bklyn
Obviously, the guy's like a 12th level white wizard or something. His mere presence is a danger to mortals.
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I have a dream...
For all operators of all vehicles to behave as if they have a heart & a soul, to drive like their safety and the safety of others is important. For all operators to know, understand and obey the laws. To have kindness and courtesy become commonplace once more.
But I ain't gonna hold my breath on this one.
For all operators of all vehicles to behave as if they have a heart & a soul, to drive like their safety and the safety of others is important. For all operators to know, understand and obey the laws. To have kindness and courtesy become commonplace once more.
But I ain't gonna hold my breath on this one.