Frank, Thanks for posting that article. I've ridden in all of the high-risk areas that were cited in the article, and never had an accident - but that didn't happen by accident. Successful crash avoidance is 99% planning ahead, and 1% reacting. As bike-friendly as Seattle is in there are many ways in which I feel much more comfortable riding in Morgantown. The most significant difference is the mood of drivers. Seattle drivers are mostly-overcaffeinated and spend ALOT of time in gridlocked traffic. You may find this hard to believe Morgantown area drivers are sweethearts by comparison. Mountain Bus drivers especially so.
Seattle shares our geographic challenges like outdated, narrow, winding streets. However, in Seattle there are usually alternative routes to avoid them. I agree that sharrows are an excellent idea. I use them now, it would be nice to see the practice officially sanctioned. I also think the most profoundly effective way to increase biking is to start in grade schools, continue through high school (including driver awareness training in drivers' ed).
Another really effective, fast-turnaround approach is the "hot spot" map. In about 1995 during a bike rally at the Seattle Center, Cascade Bike Club (CBCC) put up a map and had people stick numbers in places where they knew there were problems, and describe the problem in an adjacent log (like a charette). Although I wasn't hopeful about the results initially, within 3 years all 3 of my suggestions (along my daily commute route and my kids' way to school) were completed.
That's enough blabbing from me I guess. Nick
---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Frank Gmeindl fgmeindl@verizon.net Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 21:01:24 -0500
Bike Board Members,
Some of us think Seattle is a model of bicycle accommodation. The article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/295186_bikewrecks08.html
shows that they're struggling with the same problems we are. The article is entertaining as well as informational and even somewhat inspirational.
Some of the approaches Seattle is taking to improve its cyclist situation are the same as ours, e.g. more signage and education for motorists as well as cyclists. The article points out the dangers of intersections between roadways and bicycle trails and bicycle lanes. I especially like the idea of "sharrows" coined in the article. It also has some good insights into both bicyclist and motorist psychology that gets us into trouble.
I hope the article bolsters the enthusiasm and productivity of those of us who are working on transforming our goals into recommendations for the Traffic Commission. I think you'll also find it entertaining.
Frank
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