what one thing would you do to make things better for cyclists?
03-18-07, 11:42 AM
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what one thing would you do to make things better for cyclists?
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?
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"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
"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
03-18-07, 11:47 AM
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Today? *POOF* - it's 70 degrees! 
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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
03-18-07, 11:59 AM
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Well, since we're dreaming here, I'd wish for these things:
1. A complete ban on the use of private motor vehicles within the limits of the core city, with exceptions made for people with disabilities or those (such as painting contractors) who need their vehicles to do their jobs.
Or, more realistically:
2. Bike lanes on every arterial in town, and designed in such a way that open car doors or turn lanes pose no threat. (Please don't jump on me here about bike lanes; if you don't like them, let's just agree to disagree.)
3. A prominent section on the driver's license test that deals with driving skills needed to maneuver in the presence of bicycles and the legal rights of bicyclists as road users.
1. A complete ban on the use of private motor vehicles within the limits of the core city, with exceptions made for people with disabilities or those (such as painting contractors) who need their vehicles to do their jobs.
Or, more realistically:
2. Bike lanes on every arterial in town, and designed in such a way that open car doors or turn lanes pose no threat. (Please don't jump on me here about bike lanes; if you don't like them, let's just agree to disagree.)
3. A prominent section on the driver's license test that deals with driving skills needed to maneuver in the presence of bicycles and the legal rights of bicyclists as road users.
03-18-07, 12:17 PM
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Get the really bad drivers off the road. It’s no more than 5% that, for one reason or another, are so dangerously bad that they should be banned from driving a motor vehicle.
Some people think that it’s possible to educate them – I’m less optimistic. But any attempt to educate not backed by a rigorous testing regimen will not solve the problem.
Make it much harder to be certified to drive a motor vehicle. And back that up with serious penalties (including mandatory prison time for repeat offenders) for driving without a license.
The benefits to cyclists – not to mention pedestrians and other motorists – would be huge.
Some people think that it’s possible to educate them – I’m less optimistic. But any attempt to educate not backed by a rigorous testing regimen will not solve the problem.
Make it much harder to be certified to drive a motor vehicle. And back that up with serious penalties (including mandatory prison time for repeat offenders) for driving without a license.
The benefits to cyclists – not to mention pedestrians and other motorists – would be huge.
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03-18-07, 12:23 PM
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New and enforced speedlimits:
Freeways: No limit. Let them drive as fast as they want.
Any road other than freeways: 40 mph
Any road without a bike lane or shoulder: 30 mph
Any residential or downtown street: 20 mph
Registration fees based on weight of vehicle so that one aging Ford Excursion pays every year as much as five or six Lamborghinis.
Undercover traffic police that look like ordinary cars until the lights start flashing.
Camera equipped undercover bicycle police disguised as ordinary cyclists and serve the same function as those "red light cameras."
Three strikes for motorists. After third reckless driving or DUI, license is permanently revoked in every state. Person can no longer register any vehicle in their own name and any vehicle the person is caught driving will be permanently impounded.
Freeways: No limit. Let them drive as fast as they want.
Any road other than freeways: 40 mph
Any road without a bike lane or shoulder: 30 mph
Any residential or downtown street: 20 mph
Registration fees based on weight of vehicle so that one aging Ford Excursion pays every year as much as five or six Lamborghinis.
Undercover traffic police that look like ordinary cars until the lights start flashing.
Camera equipped undercover bicycle police disguised as ordinary cyclists and serve the same function as those "red light cameras."
Three strikes for motorists. After third reckless driving or DUI, license is permanently revoked in every state. Person can no longer register any vehicle in their own name and any vehicle the person is caught driving will be permanently impounded.
03-18-07, 01:40 PM
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Free pie at work for all bicycle commuters. 
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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
03-18-07, 01:43 PM
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Enforce existing traffic regulations
03-18-07, 01:44 PM
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a nationwide conscientious mindset; in other words, everyone realizing they don't know it all and have to respect other people, and thus DO so. (am i a dreamer, or am i a DREAMER?)
03-18-07, 01:53 PM
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If I HAD one wish, I would probably turn all the right lanes on the major arterials into bike-only lanes. that would still leave 1-2 lanes for cars each way! man, would THAT be unpopular.
__________________
"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
"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
03-18-07, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by chipcom
Today? *POOF* - it's 70 degrees!
Get states to include cycling laws in the driver education/tests. A lot of AZ and Utah, the places I have lived the most, don't know the laws regarding bikes and how they should be operated. I was guilty of that myself at one time.
03-18-07, 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by galen_52657
Enforce existing traffic regulations
__________________
"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
03-18-07, 01:58 PM
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Better motorist education regarding cyclists' right to the road. Stiff fines for motorists that violate cyclists' right-of-way or harass and intimidate cyclists with their vehicles.
Last edited by randya; 03-18-07 at 02:36 PM.
03-18-07, 02:24 PM
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You've all made some pretty good sugestions/wishes.
I like the idea that driver's ed courses should include _something_ about how to pass a bicycle safely.
Acknowledgement that there are bicycles on the road would be a good start.
Back in the old days, the Driver's Ed instructor would ask the newbie if he wants to go faster than 55MPH. If he said yes, the instructor would drive him to the nearest Air Force Recruiter so he could enlist in the USAF. Planes (at least the old propeller planes) can lift off the ground at 55MPH, so they can go well over things that cars have to steer around.
But to add something new, I would say that driving a vehicle over 6000 pounds in weight should require a CDL (Commercial Drivers Liscence).
Better enforcement of existing speed limits would be more practical, though.
I think that in general, bike lanes are uncalled for- When motorists start yelling and cursing, usually the bicycle is going at or near the speed limit, maybe even over. The motorist is suffering from a Delusion that he is being forced to go slow, most likely because he has a pre-concieved notion that cars are faster than bicycles. The faster the bicycle goes , the "madder" the motorist becomes.
It might actually be a good thing if bicyclists were getting speeding tickets for going 37 in a 30 zone.
Then there would be proof that the bicycle is going fast enough.
The Police don't want to shatter the lunatic motorist's delusion.
I wish I had speeding tickets for the times I went 37, 42, or 47MPH on my bike in a 30MPH zone.
More speeding tickets, please.
The problem with DWI checkpoints is they only stop the drunk motorists. A lunatic can and will do anything a drunk would do, but they always manage to pass the field sobriety test (i.e. breathalizer).
I like the idea that driver's ed courses should include _something_ about how to pass a bicycle safely.
Acknowledgement that there are bicycles on the road would be a good start.
Back in the old days, the Driver's Ed instructor would ask the newbie if he wants to go faster than 55MPH. If he said yes, the instructor would drive him to the nearest Air Force Recruiter so he could enlist in the USAF. Planes (at least the old propeller planes) can lift off the ground at 55MPH, so they can go well over things that cars have to steer around.
But to add something new, I would say that driving a vehicle over 6000 pounds in weight should require a CDL (Commercial Drivers Liscence).
Better enforcement of existing speed limits would be more practical, though.
I think that in general, bike lanes are uncalled for- When motorists start yelling and cursing, usually the bicycle is going at or near the speed limit, maybe even over. The motorist is suffering from a Delusion that he is being forced to go slow, most likely because he has a pre-concieved notion that cars are faster than bicycles. The faster the bicycle goes , the "madder" the motorist becomes.
It might actually be a good thing if bicyclists were getting speeding tickets for going 37 in a 30 zone.
Then there would be proof that the bicycle is going fast enough.
The Police don't want to shatter the lunatic motorist's delusion.
I wish I had speeding tickets for the times I went 37, 42, or 47MPH on my bike in a 30MPH zone.
More speeding tickets, please.
The problem with DWI checkpoints is they only stop the drunk motorists. A lunatic can and will do anything a drunk would do, but they always manage to pass the field sobriety test (i.e. breathalizer).
03-18-07, 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by rando
If I HAD one wish, I would probably turn all the right lanes on the major arterials into bike-only lanes. that would still leave 1-2 lanes for cars each way! man, would THAT be unpopular.
03-18-07, 02:43 PM
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At first I wished that we "Kill all the lawyers". Then I realized some of them help unreasonable people settle their differences. AHA! I wish all people to be reasonable.
03-18-07, 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by MrCjolsen
New and enforced speedlimits:
Freeways: No limit. Let them drive as fast as they want.
Any road other than freeways: 40 mph
Any road without a bike lane or shoulder: 30 mph
Any residential or downtown street: 20 mph
Freeways: No limit. Let them drive as fast as they want.
Any road other than freeways: 40 mph
Any road without a bike lane or shoulder: 30 mph
Any residential or downtown street: 20 mph
Amen! This is exactly what I was thinking! Add to this strict enforcement of these limits.
I was just driving (yes driving) back from a boat race and in the left lane of a two lane road (that I was just biking on last weekend) I was doing exactly the speed limit and along on my right a young lady was starting to speed right past me. Funny thing though, right up ahead was a police car parked on the side. She suddenly slowed down to the speed limit and maintained that speed the whole way down the road that we were together. The point is, SHE KNEW SHE WAS SPEEDING just prior to seeing the cop, she was just trying to get away with it. That tends to be the biggest issue out there... people just trying to get away with "it." Whatever "it" is. The probably know they are cheating, and just don't care, unless there is some chance they will be caught.
Enforce the speed limits.
03-18-07, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by randya
Better motorist education regarding cyclists' right to the road. Stiff fines for motorists that violate cyclists' right-of-way or harass and intimidate cyclists with their vehicles.
03-18-07, 06:45 PM
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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.
03-18-07, 08:06 PM
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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.
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03-18-07, 08:12 PM
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I think you collectively have hit all of my favorites, which include enhanced accountability, standards, and education for all road users. I would add improved public transit, which would make judges and juries more willing to suspend or revoke driving privileges. I would also like to see an end to the huge hidden subsidy enjoyed by American motorists -- let them learn the true cost of driving a car.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
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03-18-07, 08:23 PM
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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.
03-18-07, 08:38 PM
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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.
+100. I have said just this in many posts in the past.