The first in a five part series on Copenhagen cycling, the very first episode of A Billion Bikes:
We should open or build cycling bridges and lanes first before any other transportation construction occurs. Anyone living in or near downtown New Albany or Jeffersonville could get to downtown Louisville and its surrounding neighborhoods (and vice versa) easily and safely, making all the above more valuable in terms of quality of life and hard dollars.
"Bicycles, even when ridden by children, are allowed on all lanes of public roads and at all hours." A quote from a news article about the cyclist killed last week in Kentucky. Frightening. I like your radical call for bike lanes before any other transportation spending. The roads here are probably as dangerous as any roads in America for cyclists. And it's pretty flat here and the weather is temperate so you'd think it would be in everyone's best interest to support bike commuting...ie, bike lanes. Will the new Spring St surface have a bike lane?
ReplyDeleteWe're moving in to our house on the 800 block of E Elm st next week. I was driving around New Albany today and it occurred to me that almost everywhere I want to go will be within a reasonable walking or biking distance. Count me in for bicycle friendly streets
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ReplyDeleteSaturday a Triathlete was killed by a DUI hit-and-run driver in Louisville. I was competing in that Triathlon. I rode my bike up to the police scene before learning what had happened or that the race was cancelled.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we live in a world with DUI drivers. Over 130,000 people competed in American triathlons last year and not one died during the bike phase. The sport is safe, even when competitions occur on open roads.
We live in a world with DUI drivers. Had this particular drunk driver not killed this particular biker, he would have killed someone else in a head on collision. My surprise is not that there was a DUI related death that happen to involve a bike.
My surprise has been at the comments I’ve heard blaming the biker. Some people have claimed biking on open roads is unsafe. Some people have claimed a “right” to go the maximum speed limit at all times and/other a “right” to not be inconvenienced by cyclists. Others claim that bikes and automobiles will never peacefully coexist.
Again, neither the constitution nor statute has ever guarantied a bike-free existence. The statistics on bike safety and the examples of bike friendly cultures present in other parts of the nation prove that the roads are big enough for everyone.
Still, I am surprised at the comments and I am angered by them. Louisville has the stated gold of becoming a “Gold Level Bike Friendly Community.” This now is my goal for New Albany. After the post-Triathlon comments, I have become a zealot.
To clarify in case Dan thought my comment was in any way blaming the cyclist. My quote was to state my fear for all the people, young and old, who want to bike and can't for fear of DUI drivers, et al. I do not bike here for that reason. I've lived in bike-friendly cities my entire adult life and it's killing me we can't bike here. I'd be for a car-free day downtown. There's on in Boston up and down the Charles River. It's really really fun to take over main roads one day a week to just stroll or rollerskate or bike. Talk about bringing out the community! Could we establish some Sunday car free zone just to have some safe time and place?
ReplyDelete...o, I volunteer Main St!
ReplyDeleteNo problem Gina. My post was not aimed at you.
ReplyDeleteA lot of things need to happen for cities to become more bike friendly. First, education all around. Bikers who break traffic laws create problems for all other bikers. There needs to be enforcement against everyone who violates the traffic laws.
Visit http://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/about.htm to learn more.
Gina, maybe this is something for which MSPA should advocate. MSPA should set its expectations high. Who else is going to do so?
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with the "Free Bike" program discussed in episode 4. At first the city had to help it along. I wonder what the up front might be? I wonder how many initial sponsors could be obtained locally?
ReplyDeleteIs this a possible UEA/DNA project?
Speaking of bicyclists following the road rules. Anybody wanna rally Friday so we can preform a traffic slow down en masse ahead of Gov. Daniels on his FatBoy Harley? Protest for bike lanes!
ReplyDeleteYes, Dan MSPA should be a leader on this if it could be Main St. I'll pass the idea on to Joyce. From experience MSPA isn't interested activism so much. More of a ladies tea club.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know that protests, sit-ins and barricading the streets are your most effective tools for effecting political change.
ReplyDeleteHow about educating neighbors on the issues, getting people to attend council meetings when important issues come up, getting people to call their district’s councilperson and let him or her know they’re not happy with the status quo?
“YES” signs might count for something too.
Dan, "protests, sit-ins and barricading the streets" are effective when normal channels are clogged.
ReplyDelete1. Education neighbors - check.
2. attending council meetings -check
3. calling rep's - check
hello neighbor - normally when their is no response from elected officials and the press is flaccid, citizens protest, it's what Americans do. One well-placed bike ride for a few minutes with the right PR could wield change. This stuff happens all over America. Has no one ever protested here?
So when's your protest, G? What's it about? How many people have you organized? Have you alerted the media? When should I look for an announcement or possible coverage?
ReplyDeleteBluegill - apparently my posts here just antagonize you. since I'm always looking for things to cut out in my overwhelming life, you've just given me a reason to avoid this blog from now on. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSomehow, that's not unexpected.
ReplyDeletewhy is that not unexpected? I don't believe personal attacks on other volunteer activists is necessary. If there is some reason Bluegills bullying works for you guys as a form of civic dialogue, go for it. It's your blog. Otherwise what gives with the endless haranguing - if there's a point, I'd like to hear it.
ReplyDeleteLike most streets (except in New Albany?) this one runs two ways. Perhaps the meaning would be clearer had I written it this way, as originally intended:
ReplyDelete"Sighhhh ... that's not unexpected."
With no dog in this hunt, I'm only left with a shrug.
LOL
ReplyDeleteeven two way streets start and stop,eh?
ReplyDeleteby which I mean I recall a particular moment when Bluegill made it personal. The start.
In the ensuing months I feel often baited by him. if he disagrees with my opinion's on the elected officials often discussed here, why not address the issues, instead of me? It's not the sort of civic dialogue I'm used to or think is productive.
I really don't see it as two way obviously. I don't recall even making a personal remark toward Bluegill. I named him traffic czar because he refused to discuss transportation options. He was the truth and don't cross him. Again, civic dialogue, not.
But really, I've enjoyed your many ramblings Roger, not to mention your service as a reporter of governmental goings on. But I draw the line when it's personal. And Bluegill can't stop baiting me, so it's no fun.
LMAO
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