Comments on: The Heat is ON for U.S. Bicycle Infrastructure http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/08/07/the-heat-is-on-for-us-bicycle-infrastructure/ Bike Your Drive! Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:39:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: nfb.bicyclerevolution http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/08/07/the-heat-is-on-for-us-bicycle-infrastructure/#comment-17653 nfb.bicyclerevolution Sat, 21 Mar 2009 05:55:49 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1228#comment-17653 "Why ride a bike when there is no signage, bike lanes, off-road multi-user paths or other features?" That's the excuse so many people make when they claim it's IMPOSSIBLE for them to commute by bike. We can't keep adding more pavement (in width) to our road system, in an attempt to accommodate all users. We need to be able to SHARE the road, and new cyclists need to learn that operating a bicycle is only slightly different from operating an automobile. I believe all those facilities for bicycles are just ways to get bikes out of the way of motorists, and are making bicycling more dangerous, while lulling newbie riders into a false sense of safety. (Fine, I'll come right out an say it: I agree with John Forrester!) It would be nice if there were more places to lock bikes and more workplaces had showers, but I'm certainly not going to be stopped because those "treats " are missing, and I'm doing my best to teach others how to overcome those inconveniences. “Why ride a bike when there is no signage, bike lanes, off-road multi-user paths or other features?” That’s the excuse so many people make when they claim it’s IMPOSSIBLE for them to commute by bike. We can’t keep adding more pavement (in width) to our road system, in an attempt to accommodate all users. We need to be able to SHARE the road, and new cyclists need to learn that operating a bicycle is only slightly different from operating an automobile. I believe all those facilities for bicycles are just ways to get bikes out of the way of motorists, and are making bicycling more dangerous, while lulling newbie riders into a false sense of safety. (Fine, I’ll come right out an say it: I agree with John Forrester!)

It would be nice if there were more places to lock bikes and more workplaces had showers, but I’m certainly not going to be stopped because those “treats ” are missing, and I’m doing my best to teach others how to overcome those inconveniences.

]]> By: Ghost Rider http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/08/07/the-heat-is-on-for-us-bicycle-infrastructure/#comment-14752 Ghost Rider Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:23:41 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1228#comment-14752 Good points. Just being out there, riding to work and talking to coworkers and friends is being an "ambassador"...and the more people see bike commuters out there and hear about how enjoyable it can be, the more likely they might be to try it. But, the stumbling point for a lot of folks is the lack of comprehensive bicycle infrastructure. Why ride a bike when you've got no place to lock it up when you get to your destination? Why ride a bike when there is no signage, bike lanes, off-road multi-user paths or other features? Why ride a bike when your company doesn't offer any incentives, shower facilities, secure storage areas and other "treats"? The point is, education and advocacy goes hand- in- hand with the physical development of these infrastructural features. It's got to be a complete and comprehensive plan in order to really work. Good points. Just being out there, riding to work and talking to coworkers and friends is being an “ambassador”…and the more people see bike commuters out there and hear about how enjoyable it can be, the more likely they might be to try it.

But, the stumbling point for a lot of folks is the lack of comprehensive bicycle infrastructure. Why ride a bike when you’ve got no place to lock it up when you get to your destination? Why ride a bike when there is no signage, bike lanes, off-road multi-user paths or other features? Why ride a bike when your company doesn’t offer any incentives, shower facilities, secure storage areas and other “treats”?

The point is, education and advocacy goes hand- in- hand with the physical development of these infrastructural features. It’s got to be a complete and comprehensive plan in order to really work.

]]> By: Crazy Commuting Cyclist http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/08/07/the-heat-is-on-for-us-bicycle-infrastructure/#comment-14751 Crazy Commuting Cyclist Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:37:17 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1228#comment-14751 I beleive that even if you build it they will not come. Part of getting people to change their minds about something is education. Even then that will not change everyones mind. In conjuction to building or puting the resolution through to action, we need to show the people how eazy commuting on a bike is. And do it in a way that avoids beat them over the head with a lot of political or green baggage. I beleive by doing it that way we would have more people riding bikes than driving. I beleive that even if you build it they will not come. Part of getting people to change their minds about something is education. Even then that will not change everyones mind. In conjuction to building or puting the resolution through to action, we need to show the people how eazy commuting on a bike is. And do it in a way that avoids beat them over the head with a lot of political or green baggage. I beleive by doing it that way we would have more people riding bikes than driving.

]]> By: Ghost Rider http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/08/07/the-heat-is-on-for-us-bicycle-infrastructure/#comment-14743 Ghost Rider Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:56:41 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1228#comment-14743 I agree -- that's why I like the wording of this resolution. It doesn't just focus on gas savings, but instead points out that bicycling can have a positive impact on many of our health and welfare concerns, too. Let's hope these folks are serious about making some changes! I agree — that’s why I like the wording of this resolution. It doesn’t just focus on gas savings, but instead points out that bicycling can have a positive impact on many of our health and welfare concerns, too. Let’s hope these folks are serious about making some changes!

]]> By: Iron Man http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/08/07/the-heat-is-on-for-us-bicycle-infrastructure/#comment-14742 Iron Man Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:57:00 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1228#comment-14742 I think cycling has been beating the "fuel savings" drum a bit too much lately. While it's true that we all save a significant amount of money by biking, we aren't fixing the fuel problems of this world either. But when you add in less congestion on the streets, physical fitness and reduction in obesity, lower health care costs due to the added exercise, and the Holy Grail of simplifying our lives that so many pine for it gets harder to argue against the bike commute solution. I think cycling has been beating the “fuel savings” drum a bit too much lately. While it’s true that we all save a significant amount of money by biking, we aren’t fixing the fuel problems of this world either. But when you add in less congestion on the streets, physical fitness and reduction in obesity, lower health care costs due to the added exercise, and the Holy Grail of simplifying our lives that so many pine for it gets harder to argue against the bike commute solution.

]]> By: The Punisher http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/08/07/the-heat-is-on-for-us-bicycle-infrastructure/#comment-14732 The Punisher Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:56:50 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1228#comment-14732 Mayors have been caught smoking crack so it's a wait and see in my mind. Mayors have been caught smoking crack so it’s a wait and see in my mind.

]]> By: Ghost Rider http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/08/07/the-heat-is-on-for-us-bicycle-infrastructure/#comment-14722 Ghost Rider Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:24:50 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1228#comment-14722 It's refreshing to see a large number of local politicians agreeing to support such infrastructure, though, don't you think? I sure don't expect overnight improvements (I've worked for a variety of government agencies, so I know that they DO NOT operate in that way!), but this is a huge step in the right direction...especially if they back up their words with some deeds and initiative. It’s refreshing to see a large number of local politicians agreeing to support such infrastructure, though, don’t you think?

I sure don’t expect overnight improvements (I’ve worked for a variety of government agencies, so I know that they DO NOT operate in that way!), but this is a huge step in the right direction…especially if they back up their words with some deeds and initiative.

]]> By: Val http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/08/07/the-heat-is-on-for-us-bicycle-infrastructure/#comment-14721 Val Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:00:50 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/?p=1228#comment-14721 Well...it would be nice...but based on past experience and long standing political trends, I would recommend not holding one's breath (unless actually under water). Well…it would be nice…but based on past experience and long standing political trends, I would recommend not holding one’s breath (unless actually under water).

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