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Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

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Re: Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

#241

Post by bane »

msandford wrote: post #229
bane wrote: post #208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here's an easy one that's almost happened to me a few times. Picture this. http://wabikes.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Snohomish_bicy... Guy on bike hits a rock or crack in the road or whatever and loses control, veers or falls in front of the car in his lane. Speed limit on the road is 40. No time to brake the driver is forced to cut across the double yellows into the oncoming lane where he hits another car head o…

Based on the width of that road it's entirely likely that the motorist is breaking the law by trying to pass when the road is too narrow to do so. I agree with you that having dedicated bike-only lanes are a far superior solution to the bike/car traffic interaction problem. Unfortunately in the scenarios described the driver is generally going to be at fault for doing something unsafe. I sympathize because doing the…

I don't disagree with anything you've said. My stand is that cyclists shouldn't be on that road to begin with. Even legally, at some point that cyclist is going to impede traffic and should then pull to the side. But there is nowhere for him to safely pull off to! Ergo, he shouldn't be riding there because it's unsafe for bikes.

Practically (not legally because let's be honest, most people drive safely a bit over legal limits) any car driver in that situation is going to pass that guy. But to do so they have to perform an illegal pass. Again the situation was created by the cyclist, not the driver and I argue he shouldn't be there in the first place.

My conclusion though is not that bikes should be off of roads, but that they should have dedicated infrastructure so this guy has a way to enjoy a perfectly reasonable bike ride without causing trouble.

Re: Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

#242

Post by bane »

endzone wrote: post #133
turar wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Edmonton, Alberta. I live in a central/downtown location, where most streets are quiet 2-lanes. And like I said, I have never seen a cyclist actually stop at a stop sign. Most don't even slow down -- just a quick check to make sure they're not going to get killed, and blow right past.

it's one of the benefits of cycling. you could do the same if you weren't stuck in a big metal box. deal with it

Thanks for providing the textbook example of the self entitled cyclist.

Re: Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

#243

Post by bane »

heydenberk wrote: post #50
bane wrote: post #13

I'm one of those drivers who hates sharing roadways with bikers. It's not that I have to share, but between slowing traffic down, pure safety concerns for the biker (who I as the automobile driver am responsible for in the case of an accident) and the generally shitty entitled attitude lots of bike riders seem to have (probably earned from dealing with irritated drivers like me) I get my hackles raised every time I s…

>> (who I as the automobile driver am responsible for in the case of an accident) This is factually untrue, as much as I'd like to be so.

While it may be legally untrue, it's not ethically or emotionally untrue. If you were to take out a cyclist and be legally not at fault, don't you think you'd carry around some sense of responsibility?

Re: Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

#244

Post by nknighthb »

bane wrote: post #232
nknighthb wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's an interesting statistic. Where did you find it? I ask because the available statistics I've seen on NYC car ownership and daily usage would make me wonder if there are even 1 million cars operated on NYC streets per day.

http://www.nycedc.com/blog-entry/new-yorkers-and-cars

Those are the statistics I'm aware of, yes. Not listed is the supposed statistic I'm seeking.

Re: Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

#245

Post by bane »

Pxtl wrote: post #207
bane wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't give a bag of squirrels how they get there, so long as they aren't putting themselves and me in danger or inconvenience. I'm not responsible for their decision to bike, how they get to the trails is not my concern. They've decided to take up this hobby not me. I shouldn't be penalized or made liable for their decision. It's not their right to impose upon me their safekeeping because they decided to take an un…

It's not a hobby, it's a commute. And it's one with far fewer negative externalities and government subsidies than yours.

You can commute with a car or some other non endangering transport mode. But you chose to bike. If your bike infrastructure is poor and you still chose to bike then that's not my problem in the least.

It's a hobby no different than a guy who commutes with his sports car collection.

Re: Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

#246

Post by nknighthb »

bane wrote: post #211
nknighthb wrote: post #203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're the first person in this thread to even use the word "hobby". Nobody else is talking about a hobby. They're talking about a means of transportation.

I'm the first person in the thread. I think that lets me choose the terms of the thread? Or is that no loner part of netiquette?

No, you don't get to "choose the terms". We are not your minions. You are having a public discussion with other human beings who are not obliged to cater to your whims and post-hoc rationalizations for your abusive and threatening behavior.

Re: Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

#247

Post by mturmon »

turar wrote: post #114
mturmon wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a motorist who drives with other motorists daily, I'm appalled at the driving habits of motorists. I rarely see them obeying simple traffic rules. Motorists seem incapable of obeying posted speed limits, and seem not to understand the meaning of the amber light. Motorists also have a problem with roll-stops. I have yet to see a motorist using turn signals properly. In consequence, I've started advocating that moto…

Sorry, these seem like exaggerations, based on my own experience. There are certainly a percentage of motorists who ignore traffic rules, but it's nowhere near the percentage of cyclists who do so. Again, this is based on my experience only.

Come on, speed limits? Almost no drivers consistently obey posted speed limits.

My comment, which was partly satirical, was trying to point out that you're choosing to notice some infractions (running stop signs) and ignore others (speeding).

Re: Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

#248

Post by bane »

CountSessine wrote: post #115
bane wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, you are aware that the roads were built for cars right? Would you walk in the middle of the road? No, because that's idiotic and stupid. But sit on a few pounds of rubber and tubed aluminum, travel only slightly faster than the same moronic pedestrian and now it's a smart commuting idea? You've chosen to go out and share the roads that were built for cars and decided for every driver (who are actually entitled…

Wow - butt-hurt much? I pay an absolute fortune every year in property taxes to subsidize high-speed road construction for selfish, entitled, ungrateful drivers like yourself - you're welcome! In return, I'd like to be able to ride my bicycle on the edge - indeed, the very fringe - of those magnificent roads that I paid for without getting run down by some low-life eating a breakfast bagel and talking on his cell pho…

Why don't you read my comments again, all my comments in this thread, and then let me know who's selfish and entitled.

here's a summary

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8301247

Re: Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

#249

Post by [deleted] »

cowpewter wrote: post #201
bane wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why don't you read the fucking law? https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22400.htm No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law. http://www.carinsurance.com/Articles/driving-too-slow-ticket... That's right. Every state has a law on…

A bicycle is legally a "vehicle" but it is not a "motor vehicle." That is an actual distinction that is important when reading those laws.

[deleted]

Re: Bike lanes have sped up car traffic in New York City

#250

Post by dllthomas »

bane wrote: post #141
DanBC wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wait, you have special roads? Dofferet from all those other roads? But not so special that bicycles were forbidden from using them? Not like all the roads that bicycles are forbidden from using? Read the fucking law. You are wrong. Here's California's bit of law grantin cyclists the same rigts and responsibilities as other road users: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_law_in_California > 21200. (a) Every person ri…

Why don't you read the fucking law? https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22400.htm No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law. http://www.carinsurance.com/Articles/driving-too-slow-ticket... That's right. Every state has a law on…

The law speaks quite specifically to how bicycles are to behave where they cannot travel at the same speed as other vehicles. It does permit them to impede traffic where doing otherwise would be unsafe.
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