Denver Area Transportation Thread - Page 247

Cirrus · #**4921** Posted: **May 14, 2013, 1:05 AM**

I'll admit it's frustrating when you get passed by a car so closely he almost clips you, who goes ahead only to stop at the next light. Then he's back in the main lane ahead of you until you finally pass again the next time he's stopped, then it changes to green and he goes by again, and he's back in the lane for the block ahead of you. And you end up passing the same car three times, constantly needing to watch for an unsafe pass, because he can squeeze by you on the left while youre moving and go faster on the straightaways. That's just annoying.

See what I did thar?

Seriously though, that's why we need better separated infrastructure. It's not just the cyclists who benefit from cycle tracks. It's also the drivers who don't have to deal with as many cyclists in front of them anymore. That bike infrastructure speeds cars by safely as much as it provides a space for bikes.

Cirrus · #**4922** Posted: **May 14, 2013, 1:09 AM**

BTW, I agree cyclists should always always always give pedestrians priority. The most vulnerable user always gets the right of way.

Lance Armstrong wannabe cyclists on bike/ped trails can be as annoying/dangerous to peds on those trails as aggressive drivers can be towards cyclists on roads. Pretty much the same issue. And just like drivers who get annoyed by cyclists in the general purpose lanes, cyclists get annoyed by peds on trails - especially if there are separately marked zones for bikes. I bet you did your share of walking in the bike zone on the Broadway sidepath in your CU days (I definitely did).

RyanD · #**4923** Posted: **May 14, 2013, 1:53 AM**

I have a perfect example to back up what I said earlier today.

So I'm driving home from work and needed to stop at KS for some things. So I went up to Corona and as I was passing 10th Ave, 3 cyclists had no regard for the stop signs, didn't see me because there's traffic parked on the side, and I almost had bicyclist stew for dinner. So I honked, and they flipped me off. I drive a late 80's mini-tank. 5,000 lbs isn't stopping that quickly. That my friends is not okay with me but I constantly see it especially in the Cap.

That got me thinking, Capitol Hill is probably the worst neighborhood for bicycle infrastructure especially around the 10th and Corona area. Given the roads are so narrow, I'm not sure how you can fix that. I think it's more of a mentality fix that's needed versus a built environment fix.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt_q

in my rebel days

I'm intrigued..

bunt_q · #**4924** Posted: **May 14, 2013, 2:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanD

and I almost had bicyclist stew for dinner. So I honked, and they flipped me off.

Well if you hadn't been speeding...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanD

I'm intrigued..

You didn't really think I was always boring and stodgy, did you?

RyanD · #**4925** Posted: **May 14, 2013, 2:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt_q

Well if you hadn't been speeding...

Speeding is hard on those streets

But really, it's a 30 mph speed limit which to me feels like you're hauling ass because the streets are so small and narrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt_q

You didn't really think I was always boring and stodgy, did you?

We all rebeled at one point in our lives, so no I didn't really think that. I mean, I'm sure even Dick Cheney did some crazy sh*t when he was in HS.

bunt_q · #**4926** Posted: **May 14, 2013, 2:43 AM**

Dick Cheney? When you're trying to think of the most boring stodgy person imaginable, you get Dick Cheney? That's hilarious.

RyanD · #**4927** Posted: **May 14, 2013, 3:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt_q

Dick Cheney? When you're trying to think of the most boring stodgy person imaginable, you get Dick Cheney? That's hilarious.

I couldn't think of anyone so I just pulled a name (he seems like he was a pretty good buzz kill). My chem professor a few years ago? I don't know.

But anyways, I never really thought you were / are a 'boring stodgy' person. I just had to poke fun at your running a red light rebellion

DenverRider2 · #**4928** Posted: **May 14, 2013, 3:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt_q

I'm sure this is posted in 10 other places on this forum. But it's so relevant to so many of our cycling discussions... and so many of us don't really leave this section... that I felt I should post it here. Interesting read, and basically what Cirrus has been saying for some time now.
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/com...reatment/5565/

The points made in this article apply to cities which have made a commitment to building safe bicycle infrastructure. When cities like NYC, Chicago and SF build a complete network of vertically protected bike lanes, cyclists no longer have the excuse that they must fend for themselves to survive. Frankly, I don't think this applies to Denver at all.

Cirrus · #**4929** Posted: **May 14, 2013, 3:43 AM**

Back in our planning school days in Boulder all us kids in the APAS used to throw wild raves inside bunt_q's hair. Those were the days.

DenverInfill · #**4930** Posted: **May 14, 2013, 4:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cirrus

Back in our planning school days in Boulder all us kids in the APAS used to throw wild raves inside bunt_q's hair. Those were the days.

bunt_q's hair is legendary! I chose him as my co-instructor for a class once which turned out to be über-awesome!