Another Positive Bike Lane Story

[Elmer]

"It just goes to show that if you build it, they really will come –
preferably by bike – and transform the neighbourhood."

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/grand+boulevard+emerges+downtown/5086413/story.htm


It helps that the Green Line subway runs directly under de
Maisonneuve, providing plenty of access to the Metro. However, it's
been there since the 1960's. Only now, with the addition of these new
bike lanes has there been such a dramatic difference.

Though, perhaps Boulevard de Maisonneuve being such a dismal street
made it easier for the bike lanes to be installed there, as opposed to
nearby parallel streets that are more bustling and where the loss of
space for bike lanes would face opposition from merchants.

Montreal isn't perfect, but they've been decades ahead of most U.S.
cities for a long time, particularly in achieving a positive urban
experience that runs virtually 24 hours a day.

Elmer

[Jimmy]

Post by Elmer
"It just goes to show that if you build it, they really will come –
preferably by bike – and transform the neighbourhood."
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/grand+boulevard+emerges+downtown/5086413/story.html [URL fixed]

I can't stand bike sidepaths, especially two-way or wrong-way ones. I
just don't get how there can be any safety at intersections, unless
you ride at walking speed.

NYC is building them all over the place. I hope someone does a
rigorous study of their safety, and makes any appropriate changes,
including removing them if necessary.

Jimmy

[Larry Scholnick]

Post by Elmer
"It just goes to show that if you build it, they really will come –
preferably by bike – and transform the neighbourhood."
Read more:http://www.montrealgazette.com/grand+boulevard+emerges+downtown/50864...[URL fixed]

I can't stand bike sidepaths, especially two-way or wrong-way ones.  I
just don't get how there can be any safety at intersections, unless
you ride at walking speed.
NYC is building them all over the place.  I hope someone does a
rigorous study of their safety, and makes any appropriate changes,
including removing them if necessary.
Jimmy

My only objection is that all of this is paid for with gasoline
taxes. If bike riders were taxed to pay for the facilities that only
they use (such as dedicated bike lanes), I'd have no objection
whatsoever.

I'd love to see a Bike Toll on the Bike Lane that goes over the Santa
Clara River between Ventura and Oxnard (CA) since there is no nearby
way to cross the river on a bike. The tolls should go toward repaying
the Highway Trust Fund which paid for the dedicated Bike Lane by
building a wider bridge than was needed for motor vehicle traffic.

[Arif Khokar]

Post by Larry Scholnick
My only objection is that all of this is paid for with gasoline
taxes. If bike riders were taxed to pay for the facilities that only
they use (such as dedicated bike lanes), I'd have no objection
whatsoever.

I assume you're aware that most cyclists also have their own motor
vehicles which they drive and fill with gas. I'm not aware of any
cyclist that purchases gas tax free.

[Paul D. DeRocco]

Post by Arif Khokar
I assume you're aware that most cyclists also have their own motor
vehicles which they drive and fill with gas. I'm not aware of any cyclist
that purchases gas tax free.

Yes, but to the extent that they drive their cars, they don't need bike
lanes.

[Arif Khokar]

Post by Paul D. DeRocco

Post by Arif Khokar
I assume you're aware that most cyclists also have their own motor
vehicles which they drive and fill with gas. I'm not aware of any cyclist
that purchases gas tax free.

Yes, but to the extent that they drive their cars, they don't need bike
lanes.

I'm not in favor of bike lanes either. I'd rather have road with wide
lanes that make it easy for cyclists and drivers to go side by side with
sufficient clearance (at least 3 feet). But, compared to roads,
separate bike paths don't cost nearly as much due to the fact that they
tend to follow the natural topography and they don't need much in terms
of pavement thickness. Therefore, what cyclists do pay in gas taxes
should be sufficient as is.

I ride quite a bit (usually about 1000 miles per season), but that pales
in comparison to the 8000 miles I drive per year.

[M. Hale]

Post by Arif Khokar
I'm not in favor of bike lanes either. I'd rather have road with wide
lanes that make it easy for cyclists and drivers to go side by side with
sufficient clearance (at least 3 feet). But, compared to roads,
separate bike paths don't cost nearly as much due to the fact that they
tend to follow the natural topography and they don't need much in terms
of pavement thickness. Therefore, what cyclists do pay in gas taxes
should be sufficient as is.

The area I live in has been big on adding 8-10 foot multi-use trails to all
roads that have been built in the past 15 years. These multi-use trails
are also added to all new roads projects. I actually prefer riding on the
multi-use trails as opposed to on the street - bike lane or not. I guess
it provides some insulation from distracted drivers, people that aren't use
to bicycle riders, etc, etc. Some roads near me and especially those in
the more urban areas have 4-5 foot bike lanes striped onto the road. They
work fine but I would not advocate reducing vehicle lane capacity to add
bike lanes.

Post by Arif Khokar
I ride quite a bit (usually about 1000 miles per season), but that pales
in comparison to the 8000 miles I drive per year.

I'm a daily bus/bike commuter during the spring, summer and fall. However,
during the winter, bad weather and when I do my shopping on the weekends, I
more than make up for what driving I don't do during the week. Ever try
bringing home a gallon of milk or one of those 12 packs of T.P. on a bike?
Doesn't work. Not that I have tried.

Mike

[Arif Khokar]

Post by M. Hale
The area I live in has been big on adding 8-10 foot multi-use trails to all
roads that have been built in the past 15 years. These multi-use trails
are also added to all new roads projects. I actually prefer riding on the
multi-use trails as opposed to on the street - bike lane or not. I guess
it provides some insulation from distracted drivers, people that aren't use
to bicycle riders, etc, etc.

If it wasn't for mindless pedestrians/joggers with headphones on,
dog-walkers with extra long leashes, and idiots in general (most of
which fail to keep right like they're supposed to), I wouldn't mind
riding on multi-use trails either. At least drivers tend to follow the
rules of the road for the most part (drive right/pass left).

Post by M. Hale
Some roads near me and especially those in
the more urban areas have 4-5 foot bike lanes striped onto the road. They
work fine but I would not advocate reducing vehicle lane capacity to add
bike lanes.

Like I mentioned before, I really am not in favor of bike lanes. If the
road is wide enough, then it's perfectly fine for the cyclist to ride
keeping to the right with sufficient distance from the edge of the road
while also allowing motor vehicles to pass with sufficient clearance.
When the road is too narrow, bike lanes make the problem worse in that
they encourage the cyclist to ride closer to the edge of the road than
is safe and they tend to make drivers think that cyclists cannot exit
the lane to make a left turn. Another problem is that drivers tend to
leave less clearance when there's a marked bike lane.

Post by M. Hale

Post by Arif Khokar
I ride quite a bit (usually about 1000 miles per season), but that pales
in comparison to the 8000 miles I drive per year.

I'm a daily bus/bike commuter during the spring, summer and fall. However,
during the winter, bad weather and when I do my shopping on the weekends, I
more than make up for what driving I don't do during the week. Ever try
bringing home a gallon of milk or one of those 12 packs of T.P. on a bike?
Doesn't work. Not that I have tried.

Fortunately, I live close enough to a grocery store such that I can ride
back with a gallon of milk (triple bagged hanging from my handlebar). I
haven't tried riding with a large pack of TP though. Other than that, I
do often store groceries that do fit in my backpack while riding.

[Larry G]

Post by Elmer
"It just goes to show that if you build it, they really will come –
preferably by bike – and transform the neighbourhood."
Read more:http://www.montrealgazette.com/grand+boulevard+emerges+downtown/50864...
It helps that the Green Line subway runs directly under de
Maisonneuve, providing plenty of access to the Metro. However, it's
been there since the 1960's. Only now, with the addition of these new
bike lanes has there been such a dramatic difference.
Though, perhaps Boulevard de Maisonneuve being such a dismal street
made it easier for the bike lanes to be installed there, as opposed to
nearby parallel streets that are more bustling and where the loss of
space for bike lanes would face opposition from merchants.
Montreal isn't perfect, but they've been decades ahead of most U.S.
cities for a long time, particularly in achieving a positive urban
experience that runs virtually 24 hours a day.
Elmer

we've been touring out west and two places in particular are bike and
ped friendly and that is Victoria, BC and Seattle (as well as Spokane)
where in the downtown areas there are bike lanes and ped crossings
with demand buttons ... and it's nerve-wrecking driving a car because
there are so many people on foot and on bikes moving around you. At
some point, you're betting off parking and getting out and walking!

[Elmer]

Post by Larry G

Post by Elmer
"It just goes to show that if you build it, they really will come –
preferably by bike – and transform the neighbourhood."
Read more:http://www.montrealgazette.com/grand+boulevard+emerges+downtown/50864...
It helps that the Green Line subway runs directly under de
Maisonneuve, providing plenty of access to the Metro. However, it's
been there since the 1960's. Only now, with the addition of these new
bike lanes has there been such a dramatic difference.
Though, perhaps Boulevard de Maisonneuve being such a dismal street
made it easier for the bike lanes to be installed there, as opposed to
nearby parallel streets that are more bustling and where the loss of
space for bike lanes would face opposition from merchants.
Montreal isn't perfect, but they've been decades ahead of most U.S.
cities for a long time, particularly in achieving a positive urban
experience that runs virtually 24 hours a day.
Elmer

we've been touring out west and two places in particular are bike and
ped friendly and that is Victoria, BC and Seattle (as well as Spokane)
where in the downtown areas there are bike lanes and ped crossings
with demand buttons ... and it's nerve-wrecking driving a car because
there are so many people on foot and on bikes moving around you.  At
some point, you're betting off parking and getting out and walking!

Success!