[OnTheIce]

Cyclists don't belong on the road with cars, especially in Canada where the climate dictates a very limited window of riding.

I'm all for recreational cycling on paths and trails, but keep bikes off of urban streets.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

andyt andyt:

Lots of idiot cyclists on the road/sidewalks. Lots of idiot pedestrians on the sidewalks/roads, lots of idiot drivers on the roads/sidewalks. I'm a pedestrian/cyclist/driver - see lots of idiots in all modes of travel. All should be dealt with by stricter traffic enforcement. When I'm on my bike, I act like a car (unless not appropriate) because legally that's what I am. some drivers don't seem to understand this, scream at me when I'm in the left hand lane to turn left, or when they run a stop sign, nearly run me over and yell that "you don't have insurance" as an excuse. Or pass me with 6 inches to spare yelling "share the road". When I'm driving i notice all the idiots that don't signal, cut in front of me/cut me off, don't look ahead and are surprised by a change in traffic... I could go on and on.

So all groups are at fault here. What's strange is that a post about some very reasonable measures to make cycling safer only elicits complaints about insufficient cycling enforcement. Same deal about a radio program that was ostensibly about the new more severe fines for distracted driving in Ontario. Distracted driving has surpassed alcohol as a cause of traffic fatalities now (tho still far behind excessive speed). Right away the host started foaming about cyclists and pedestrians, as did most callers. People who identify only as drivers just can't handle the truth. When their kid is hit by a careless driver, of course, it's a different matter.

Not to mention the people who piss and moan about how the police have nothing better to do when their little Johnny gets a ticket for blowing through a stop sign while riding his bike.

[stratos]

$1:

Same deal about a radio program that was ostensibly about the new more severe fines for distracted driving in Ontario. Distracted driving has surpassed alcohol as a cause of traffic fatalities now (tho still far behind excessive speed). Right away the host started foaming about cyclists and pedestrians, as did most callers. People who identify only as drivers just can't handle the truth. When their kid is hit by a careless driver, of course, it's a different matter.

All this shows is that drivers are not disagreeing with more sever fines but are against cyclist and pedestrians for not following the rules of the road. Thanks for sharing that the vast majority agree with us and not you.

[Zipperfish]

andyt andyt:

they already do. Roads and pathways are paid out of city general revenue, mostly property taxes.

$1:

One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss

http://grist.org/list/one-mile-on-a-bik ... a-20-loss/

Interesting graphic--I haven't seen that before. Bears mentioning that drivers pay a lot more (through fuel tax) as well.

I think you are going to see a lot of activity in Vancouver. It just struck me yesterday how mainstream biking has become. Bike shops and repair stops are everywhere. Stanley Park was a rush hour of bikers all day. My colleague's family biked to their campsite this weekend--100 km!

I think I'm going to get a bike this weekend. Bucked the trend long enough. Get fit and avoid the peasant wagon (i.e., the stinky crowded bus)--I'm in! Problem is that the biking community are so smug, I never really wanted to be associated with that culture. Not to mnetion the fucking pants. Seriously? The look I get from them when I pull up in my '94 diesel pick-up, like I just left my soiled undergarments in their bathroom. ha ha ha. Well, now I can throw my bike in the back.

Hopefully they move towards dedicated bike lanes away from roads. Greatly reduces the car/cycle interaction and then you're not gasping down all those fumes.

[andyt]

There's just no room for those dedicated lanes. And I don't like them, want to act like a car. The lanes are too slow, people goof off in them. Peds step into them, trucks park in them etc. For me a good stripe on the side of the roads, with a clean shoulder is best - I wan't to be able to cycle on any road I choose, not go way out of the way for dedicated bike lanes.

But bike lanes do get the gorbies to cycle more - thing is they just slow me down.

Fuel taxes don't fund municipal roads.

I ride in lycra because it's the most comfortable. Do 100km + and you really start to appreciate it. But most recreational and even commuter cyclists don't. OTOH, I don't wear cycling jerseys, just a T-shirt (in summer), So I don't really fit with any crowd. I'm what the roadies would call a Fred, and proud of it.

If you're gonna worry how other people act, you're going to live a pretty circumscribed life.

[Zipperfish]

Bought a guitar instead. Oops. ha ha ha