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Google Wants to Make Silicon Valley as Bike-Friendly as Copenhagen

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Re: Google Wants to Make Silicon Valley as Bike-Friendly as Copenhagen

#341
post #333
post #328

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you require cars to use the bike lane, it's not a dedicated bike lane anymore. You bring cars and bikes together, and risk collisions between the two. It works only if car drivers are very aware of the presence of bikes, and trained to watch out for them. I think this is more likely to work in cities with an established bike culture than in car dominated cities. When cars dominate, give bikes their own bike path.

You bring them together regardless at every intersection unless you give the bikes their own crossing signal every block. The bike/turnlane makes turning into a two-step operation - first check for bikes, then second check if your turn is safe. That elevates the normal consideration bikes would get in a turn, which is none at all from most drivers.

That won't feel safe.

It works in Copenhagen, since drivers just wait until the bikes have stopped streaming past — sometimes, only one car turns right through a change of the lights. I don't see that working in the US.

Give the bikes their own traffic light phase, at the same time as parallel pedestrians.

Re: Google Wants to Make Silicon Valley as Bike-Friendly as Copenhagen

#342

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I'd say the amount of bikers I see totally ignoring traffic laws is very high- stoplights, riding fast on sidewalks, going the wrong way on one way roads, etc. Maybe 30%. Studies show that cyclists and motorists break the law at about the same rate: http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/08/06/bikers-drivers-brea... What's usually happening is that we're so used to motorists breaking the law that it doesn't even regist…

I am from Denmark and frequently drive in the largest cities. The main problem is not breaking the law as such, but the tendency to completely disregard the surroundings - in the last 5 years a lot bike with music as well (though this can be compensated for with proper use of your eyes). A lot of bikers doesn't look over their shoulder when biking past a connecting road. The majority does not defensively try to deter…

> No matter how much motorists break the law, they're not putting themselves in nearly the same danger. Not even close.

But motorists are absolutely putting other people in more danger...

Re: Google Wants to Make Silicon Valley as Bike-Friendly as Copenhagen

#343
post #304

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just curious, why do you prefer a backpack to a pannier (or backpack-inside-pannier)?

I like the backpack better as I can bring it with me on the last 100 ft and into my building where I shower and change, where if its pannier's I either need a backpack inside of it, or I need to carry my stuff around. Also people steal stuff, so I don't like leaving things on my bike.

Try choosing "Office bags" from https://www.ortlieb.com/en/produkte/radtasche/

There are pannier backs with backpack straps, or shoulder straps, etc.

Although I have the more basic "back roller" standard detachable panniers. They take a second to attach/detach, nothing remains to be stolen. Best £50 I ever spent! They still look new after 2 years of daily use.

Re: Google Wants to Make Silicon Valley as Bike-Friendly as Copenhagen

#344

Retrofitting American suburban sprawl to be less car-centric is going to be one of the enduring puzzles of the 21st century. The suburban model of planning championed in the 50's onwards became so deeply embedded in development projects and just the entire culture of small city planning across the country that a huge chunk of Americans are completely unaware that a less car-centric lifestyle is even possible, let alo…

Here in Minnesota it's common that suburban "subdivision" neighborhoods don't even have pedestrian sidewalks. And the inhabitants think that's a good thing. I cannot even.

My parents live in a 7 year old "55 and over" retirement community in the outer suburbs in Pennsylvania. A neighborhood designed entirely for old folks.. and no sidewalks at all. There are elderly pedestrians meandering along at a snails pace in middle of the streets everywhere in their neighborhood. I'm constantly worried about running them over when I visit...

The builder and the township planners made such a blunder with the neighborhood and no one seems to understand that things could have been done differently, or could even be fixed.

They also are miles from the nearest store and have no buses or transit options of any sort, so when a resident can no longer drive a car, they're simply stranded in their house. If a single widow for instance needs groceries and can't drive they're more or less screwed if someone doesn't stop by and help them out.

As someone who lives in the heart of the city I'm just baffled by how people are comfortable with this situation. It's infuriating how everyone just accepts it

Re: Google Wants to Make Silicon Valley as Bike-Friendly as Copenhagen

#345
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I think the situation is ridiculous, I also can't help thinking that if you're one of the most successful companies in the world and you can't get this done. It's either not that great of priority for you or you're doing something wrong.

... or an example of the strength of NIMBYism and the empowerment of the vocal few in California politics to roadblock progress.

I'm going to have to ask you to file an environmental impact statement and a report with the coastal commission of california before i'll give you the permits to comment further on this thread :)
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