While riding in the city- Seattle to be more specific, there are a number of thoughts and concerns that pass through my head as I travel across town.  Most of these thoughts come and go as I cross through each intersection.  Little bits that affect my views on cycling and even more, my view on how much Seattle cares for it’s two-wheeling citizens.  Many of these thoughts are things that I’d like to pass on to the city, or maybe just to someone that will listen.  They are often what I view as gaps in the city’s cycling infrastructure- things that make for dangerous or at the very least, frustrating situations.  Here are a couple of them:

• Expansion joints in the road that run parallel to the curb.  These are sometimes 2-3″ wide, often recessed into the pavement (much like a train track) and are quite dangerous to ride next to- causing most cyclists to creep into the “car lane”- making drivers angry because they just think you’re being a self-righteous prick.
• Streetlights that are out. I ride with lights.  But most bike lights that cost under $100 don’t illuminate your path very well, especially when traveling at 20mph.  Sure, I’m riding with legal illumination and will be seen by other people on the road, but I sometimes rely more on streetlights to see what’s ahead.  You may say that I should just get a brighter headlight (which may be true.)  Be that as it may- few bike lights are as bright as a car or motorcycle headlight.
• Gaps in the bike lane.  This often happens when approaching an intersection.  You’ll be riding in a bike lane and as you approach the intersection- the lane ends abruptly- forcing you to quickly merge.  Vehicular cyclists will tell you that when no lane is present, you should drive like a car and not pass on the right.  They’ll say that you should just sit behind the car and wait like all the other cars and then get into the bike lane when it picks up on the other side of the intersection.  I feel that merging motor and human powered vehicles at an intersection is something that is confusing for all involved, and that if there is anyplace that motor and human powered traffic should be separated, it’s at intersections.  It’s confusing because drivers and cyclists alike are confused as to how cyclists should be regarded.
• Potholes.  Potholes cause pinch flats and dented rims.  I’ve been subject to both.  We in Seattle have the POTHOLE RANGERS, but I often forget the exact location of the pothole and so rarely fill out the easy form that is available online.  Exact location is necessary for them to bring out the truck.  I’ve been in the shop and seen broken faces and bikes from potholes.  Those potholes don’t mess around.
• Raised street panels.  This may be a neighborhood thing- but living in Greenwood, our streets are made up of panels- with the expansion and contraction of the earth, sometimes they act like tectonic plates- one raising above the other at the expansion joint.  This causes a lip or ledge to form, akin to a 2″ or higher curb.  Once again bringing about pinch flats and damaged rims.  The Pothole rangers performed one of their miracles on a nasty little section on my block, but now another is getting spit up from the earth- like a surgical bolt that the body rejects.

Speaking of Miracles….

• Loop sensors.  Would someone please tell me when the letter “T” started meaning “Put your bicycle here?”  Many people that ride have no idea what these sensors even are.  Next time you are waiting for a light, look for a “T” at the intersection somewhere.  They are often placed in the right turn lane, which of course is poor planning.  When I’m at a busy intersection, I will generally just pull to the front of the (forward moving) line and let the cars behind me activate the sensor.  This keeps me in the lane I need to be in and doesn’t block the right turn lane.  If I am on a lesser traveled road- I sometimes line up over the loop sensor (the alternative would be to press the crosswalk button- which gets me thinking whether city planners consider bikes traffic or pedestrians.)  A more in-depth article on Loop Sensors can be read at cyclelicio.us.
• Dirty curb lanes….  Cities are dirty.  People litter, things fall- or are thrown from moving vehicles, gravel and sand falls from trucks, and trees drop leaves, nuts, and branches.  Ironically enough- cars and trucks keep the tire tracked section of the roadway cleaner than the rest of the whole damn road.  As motorcyclists know, you don’t travel in between tire tracks (in the center of the lane)- that is where all the oil falls from the engine and collects on the roadway.  As a cyclist knows, most of the debris that your dirty city has strewn on the roadways will collect at the curb lane to be run over by us.  Glass, nails, broken bits of cars that have been in accidents….  I once got pinched on the side of the road climbing Queen Anne and rode through an entire broken open box of roofing staples.  My tube looked like it had been shot with birdshot.
• Blocked bike lanes.  This is really an enforcement issue.  I’m pretty sure that it’s illegal for construction to block traffic (that includes bikes) without proper signage.  This should include a sign telling cars “Hey- bikes are going to be sharing this lane with you- so don’t be an asshole”  This frustration is extended to people parking in bike lanes.

Yes, this is something of a rant- Honestly, there are many questions that I have that don’t seem to have answers.  Sometimes there seems to be no logic to the laws that govern the bicycle.  The double standard that bikes are subjected to is maddening.  Most cyclists would agree that we have most of the responsibilities and few of the rights that drivers are given.  Here in this lovely country, people have become to view driving as a right and drivers have no understanding as to why a bicycle rider does what they do.  It’s not totally their fault- they honestly don’t know.

I have a couple thoughts as to ways that the bicycle can become a celebrated and integral part of our transportation system.  It will will also make it safer for everyone.

1. Education.  There are many drivers on the road that I have no clue how they got their license in the first place.  They supposedly had to take a test to get that license however.  They view driving as a right.  Well, it’s not.  It’s a privilege.  That little license is what separates the privilege from the right.  You have a RIGHT to vote (and you should- because it’s also your RESPONSIBILITY.) You don’t have to take a test to vote.  Driver’s education courses should make it very clear that bicycles are traffic and should be treated as such.  This starts at an early age- which brings us to the second thought
2. Education.  Get kids on bikes.  Teach them about them.  Teach them how to fix them.  My friend was saying that in Berlin as a child he attended a bicycle safety class.  Being mandatory, all the kids did.  They learned the rules of the road and when you passed your test- you got your “license,” and could ride to school by yourself.  Kids riding to school- it’s a great thing.  Of course there are schools that dissuade parents (and even forbid them) from allowing their kids to ride to school because they view it as a safety concern…. which is crazy.  Get your kids on a bike- they will be healthier, it’s something you can enjoy with them, and they are less likely to get pregnant while in school.  That’s a fact.
3. Get the city planner on a bike.  In any city that A) expects any sort of growth B) has people that ride bikes, and C) wants to encourage safe roadways- the City Planner should ride a bike.  Maybe not every day of the week- but at least once and a while.  Not for any reason other than knowing what effects their decisions and planning have.  They should also ride in other cities to see what works, and what doesn’t.  If they don’t ride a bike, they should hire someone as a consultant that does have experience riding in cities (I’m always available…)  I know that many cities have a big book of standard design practices that show how handicap ramps and sidewalks, driveways and everything else that affects the public should be built.  Include cycling infrastructure in this book.  Any time work is done to an intersection, or even roadway it should be updated. (similar to handicap ramps and sidewalks)  The best time to put in a new bike lane is when the road is being resurfaced.
4. Put laws in place that protect cyclists:  Legislation like the Vulnerable User’s bill (SB 5838 or HB 3001) protect pedestrians and cyclists (people without 1000 pounds of metal surrounding them) by making stiffer penalties for drivers that cause an accident or are proven negligent.  Sure, it doesn’t PREVENT accidents exactly, that’s where education and planning comes in, but it does make people think twice.  The reality is that people choose not to drink and drive- not because they don’t want to get in a wreck, but because they don’t want to go to jail or lose their license, or pay a fine. (I’m not sure the status of HB3001- SB5838 was shot down this spring)
5. Enforcement.  Laws are only as good as their enforcement.  Did you know that there is “no spitting on the sidewalk” laws in many cities?  You would know it if you got ticketed for it.  I’m not generally one to wish that there were more cops around- but when they do their job and they aren’t hassling me for something silly- I feel pretty good about the money I pay in taxes to keep them on the streets.
6. Community.  I have said it before- I wish there was a better way to drive it home, but “solidarity through vulnerability” is something that we have in common with all cyclists- everywhere.  Get to know your bike community.  Encourage the city to embrace it.  Say hi to riders, talk to them- skinny jeans, spandex, or wool knickers- we all live for the ride.

What are your thoughts on riding in your city?

I have to remember how hilarious it must be for the passengers of the vehicle next time something is thrown from a window.  It makes so much more sense now.

Being a resident of the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle, I was happy to hear about SDOT’s plans to show some love to Greenwood Ave.  It’s a well traveled route- essentially an arterial route for bikes headed north to south.  Once you reach N 85th street- things change a bit.  It goes to a 2 lane road, traffic speeds up, shoulders get sketchy, and it seems as though you are riding in the Wild West.

View Larger Map

According to Seattlebikeblog.com the city will be accepting comments on the proposed project.  You until August 17th to email comments to walkandbike@seattle.gov or to call 206.684.7583

There is also an open house to discuss the project.

Tuesday, August 3rd 4-6pm at the Greenwood Library, located at 8016 Greenwood Ave N.

View Larger Map

You can read more about it HERE

I received an email the other day from Seattle Parks and Recreation announcing the dates for Car Free Sundays for 2010. This year it sounds as though they are devoted a section solely to bicycles, so are changing the name to “Bicycle Sundays.”

Bicycle Sundays will start on the first Sunday in May and continue nearly every Sunday through the end of September. For 19 weekend days this spring and summer, the City will devote a stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard exclusively to bicycles. Cyclists can ride along the car-free shores of Lake Washington from Mt. Baker Beach south to Seward Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the following days:

* May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

* June 6, 13, 27

* July 5 (a Monday), 11, 18, 25

* August 1, 22, 29

* September 5, 12, 19, 26

There will be no Bicycle Sunday on the following dates:

* June 20 - Furry 5K (http://www.furry5k.com/) and the Livestrong Challenge  (http://seattle2010.livestrong.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=330114)

* July 4 - Fourth of July holiday

* August 8 - SeaFair Hydroplane Races (http://www.seafair.com/events/hydro/)

* August 15 - Danskin Triathlon (http://www.danskintriathlon.net/)

This program is brought to you by Seattle Parks and Recreation and Cascade Bicycle Club, with the support of the Seattle Police Department.

If you want more info about Seattle Parks- you can follow their

Twitter

Facebook

I got my calendar in the mail the other day, and I must say that I’m very impressed. All in all, the best bike calendar I’ve seen yet. The women photographed are real riders, and tastefully photographed with a great balance of character, humor, and playfulness.
Not only is the photography great- the calendar itself has the more popular holidays listed. (Canadian holidays don’t include Columbus Day, or presidents day, but they do have Boxing Day and Kwanzaa!) It also lists many of the regularly scheduled Vancouver BC bike events like Bad Party, Night Riders, and Gastown Sprints. Each Calendar page has artwork as a backdrop, which is another nice addition. This thing is jam packed full of goodness, and you should grab one now while they are still available.

Best of all, the calendar benefits Prohab, which is a great organization doing wonderful things- like saving lives- No big deal.

Taken from the calendar notes:

The confederation for the Protection Of Heads and Brains (PROHAB) has a goal: to be sustainable in providing helmets by donation to active people who wouldn’t normally wear them.

The 2010 Ladies Bike Calendar is a collaboration of artists, photographers, models, and friends. Featuring helmeted women in and around Vancouver having fun with their bikes, the 2010 Ladies Bike Calendar aims to show that you can have fun–and be sexy–while being safe.

We Thank you very much for being a part of this project, and you can find more information on PROHAB at www.prohab.ca

Dustin, Renee, and the PROHAB family

As a side note, the www.prohab.ca address doesn’t seem to work, so you can get to the Wordpress page HERE. You can purchase the calendar from the blog page, as well as donate to the cause.

It’s getting dark again. Stay lit. Maybe not like this, but you get the idea.

Yeah.  Shit happens.  Sometimes cyclists are hit by cars.  It’s happened to most of us, with varying degrees of damage to our bikes and our bodies.  It’s not a good thing to dwell on, but you should definitely stay alert, and obviously do what you can to be seen on the road when riding.  Especially under poor visibility, such as darkness, fog, rain, and when you are hidden behind cars.  Take a lane if necessary, it is within your legal rights to do so.

I came across this little piece on the Cascade page.  It’s worth the read.  It was written by John Duggan.

John Duggan is an avid cyclist and attorney who represents injured  cyclists. He is a member of the Cascade Bicycle Club, Bicycle Alliance of  Washington, and the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association.  He can  be reached at (206) 343-1888 or joh...@warrenduggan.com.

You might be on your club training ride, commuting to work or  simply out riding with friends, and when you least expect it, your worst  fear becomes a reality.  The minivan approaching from the opposite  direction makes a left turn in front of you. You lock up your brakes, skid  and crash into the passenger side of the minivan.  You have some road  rash but quickly realize you’re not dead, and your adrenaline kicks in.   The minivan driver immediately takes the offensive and asks why you  were riding in the roadway and why you did not stop.

Unfortunately, I’ve been in this situation twice, and both times I  thought I wasn’t injured and could ride away.  In each instance,  approximately a mile down the road, I realized I was injured, my bike  was damaged and I was looking for the nearest emergency room.  By this  time, it may be too late to gather the information you need to make a  claim against the at-fault driver.  Through my personal experience on the  bike as well as my experience representing injured cyclists, I have  learned what you should and should not do if you find yourself a victim  of a negligent driver.  Keep in mind that as a cyclist, you are usually  behind the eight ball.  To preserve your rights, keep in mind the  following:

•  Do remain calm and non-confrontational.

•  Do call the police and insist that the officer files a police report.  In  the event that an officer does not respond, go to a police station  and file an accident report within 72 hours of the incident.

•  Do get the vehicle driver’s insurance information, address, phone  number and license plate number.

•  Do get the name, phone number and address of every witness.

•  Do get the necessary medical treatment.

•  Do have your bike thoroughly inspected by a reputable bike shop.

•  Do take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, your bike  and all other involved vehicles (your new camera phone may come  in handy!).

•  Do not lose your temper or argue with the vehicle driver.

•  Do not minimize your injuries or your bike damage.

•  Do not give a statement to the vehicle driver’s insurance without  first consulting with an attorney.

•  Do not rush into any settlement until you know the full extent of  your injuries and bike damage.

In most bicycle/motor vehicle accident claims, I demand that the  insurance company declare the bike and all damaged clothing and  accessories a total loss and pay full replacement value.  As will be  discussed in a future article, in most bicycle/motor vehicle accidents in  Washington, regardless of who was at fault, the vehicle driver’s insurance  will pay reasonable and necessary medical bills and some wage loss.

Hopefully you will never find yourself in a situation where you need  to use this information, but if you do, you will be prepared.

So I posted the other day about the RIDE THE CITY project. Well over on BikeBlogNYC today, I saw that Google is ramping up their project, and the street view trike is on the move.

They are taking suggestions on where to go, but only until October 28th. So get after it.
GO HERE TO SUGGEST A ROUTE

This is a blog about bikey things. Races, rides, and fun things that encourage people to get on their bikes and ride. It puts a smile on my face, and I hope it does yours too. I sometimes touch on things that you can do to improve access to your community by bike as well as upcoming advocacy events. But I don’t generally talk politics.

After the most recent presidential election, I think many people realized that anything is possible, and what we do locally really affects national and world affairs. I personally believe that local elections are very important. Not only because the laws that go into affect in your town directly affect us as individuals, but on a larger scale, these are the people that represent your town to the county, state, and federal governments. If you have an elected official that, say, dislikes bikes; it is unlikely that the projects that promote effective cycling will be put into place by that administration.

If you live in Seattle, you probably know by now that Greg Nickels will not be our mayor for another term. It might have had something to do with the fact that as Seattle was buried under snow last winter for about 10 days, Nickels’ didn’t have a fix, though his neighborhood was plowed first and more often.  Seattle didn’t like it. He came in third in the primary, putting him out of the race for another term.

What is obvious is that Seattle, like the United States as a whole, is ready for change. Taking Nickels’ place on the ballot are two newcomers to political office. The vice president of T-mobile, Joe Mallahan; and the attorney and community organizer Mike McGinn. Two candidates offering very different backgrounds and strategies to help shape Seattle into a city to be lived in and enjoyed by their respective constituents. Because of their many differences, it also becomes obvious that Seattle hasn’t agreed on what path to go down.

Who will represent and lead Seattle for the next four years? Who do you think will do a better job?

Mike McGinn will be getting my vote. Not only does he ride a bike for transportation, he in my opinion will work towards growing Seattle into a more liveable community.

Mike McGinn has amazing support from the community. Not so much from big business, nor from the “insiders” within the city as it is, but from everyday people. He got more votes in the primary than his opponents while spending $10+ less PER VOTE than Joe Mallahan. Not to mention his Facebook and Twitter followers. Man, this guy is popular. Much like our presidential election, not all depends on campaign contributions.

As a cyclist, McGinn is the obvious choice. His support of public transit, walking, and biking as transportation is strong. In a “Lightning Round” of questions the other night in Ballard, when asked about the completion of the “Missing Link” trail, McGinn said he was for it, Mallahan was against it. (Since then, Mallahan has stated on his website that he is “a big supporter of bike and pedestrian facilities throughout the City and region.” It goes on to say that he supports some sort of completion, but it sounds unfocused, and I don’t believe for a second that he views cycling as anything besides something that one does until they get the keys to their first car)

Both candidates oppose Tim Eyman’s ballot measure 1033, which would cap government revenues and cut property taxes, while devastate public services, and likely impede the states recovery from the recession.

Mallahan, like many state and local politicians, likes the idea of a deep bore tunnel to replace the dated, and possibly dangerous Alaskan Way Viaduct. McGinn opposes it, by simply saying that the money isn’t there, and it is a waste of resources to spend more time and money pursuing it. I have to agree. $1.4 Billion? Not in these times.

Of course, neither candidate has any experience in political office. McGinn has more time in the community, while Mallahan has spent most of his time in the board room. I for one don’t like the idea of my city being run like T-mobile. I don’t even like their cell service. One works for people, the other for profit.

To wrap it up- I’m not telling you who to vote for. I’ll say that whoever you think will do a better job leading Seattle for the next four years, you should vote for them. Most important is that people take advantage of their right to vote. It’s your community. What you do in it, who you vote for, and where you spend your money, all affect the future. Seattle to me is a great little city, and I see elections as an opportunity to help keep the wheels rolling down the good road. But really, you should vote for McGinn. No really.

And election day is November 3, 2009. If you ain’t registered, you ain’t voting.

Remember. Anything is possible.

Of course there are other things to be voted on this November 3rd.  Some of the other candidates that have my vote:

• Michael McGinn for Mayor of Seattle
• Dow Constantine for King County Executive
• Mike O’Brien for Seattle City Council, Position 8
• Sally Bagshaw for Seattle City Council, Position 6

Get informed.  You are the city.  Do your part.

I heard through Cascade Bike Club that the website Ride the City will be coming to Seattle. Now if you were wondering how to get from A to B by bike and don’t know the area, this could be right up your alley.

Ride the City is currently operating in:

• New York
• Chicago
• Austin
• San Diego
• Louisville

It’s also available in 5 languages.

Seattle is currently in the BETA stage- but will be coming online in a few weeks. The developers are looking to make as many improvements now as possible, and they do that through your help. The site is easy to use, and gives you options for the “Safer Route”, “Safe Route”, and the most “Direct Route” Nice work!

Give it a look, plan your route, and if you have any recommendations, let them know.

Check out the “Ride the City”  FACEBOOK page

Check out the “Ride the City” BLOG