Bike Lanes

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Smithfield
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by Smithfield »

I think one issue with bicycle facilities is finding something that accomodates all road users. I ride my bicycle often, and I personally prefer to be in the road, not a separate lane. Some people are like me, while others are more timid, wanting these 10' trails or 4' "bike lanes". I think this is why it must be tough for decision makers to make everyone happy. Good luck on that haha!

Here is why I generally prefer to be in the travel lanes:
-bicycle lane areas collect debris and will pop tires
-when you're separated via white lane car drivers no longer respect you and are willing to come much closer when passing
-a good portion of areas I ride in have frequent entrances. Entering and exiting a bike lane in these areas is tricky, cars dont watch out for you

A pet peeve...
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The implication is that car drivers are, for once, not the only ones allowed. Every road (apart from interstates) is to be shared.

TL;DR version: separated bike facilities (4' bike lane, 5' sidewalk, 10' shared use path) are generally more dangerous for cyclists. I would prefer to ride in areas with slightly wider lanes and/or a center turn lane.
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DaveKCMO
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by DaveKCMO »

please show data that proves separated facilities are more dangerous.
pash
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by pash »

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Last edited by pash on Fri Feb 10, 2017 12:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
Smithfield
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by Smithfield »

DaveKCMO wrote:please show data that proves separated facilities are more dangerous.
I worded that poorly, my mistake. That is just the opinion I've developed based upon using the different facilities. Im not aware if there is enough significant data available to say on way or another. Here are some links of interest:
http://bikinginla.com/2014/02/17/guest- ... lingsavvy/
http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledr ... g/wols.htm
http://www.johnforester.com/Articles/Fa ... LvsWCL.htm
chingon
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by chingon »

pash wrote: severe trauma, mostly due to collisions with cars.
Is that accurate? The "mostly" part, I mean. I know bicycling is basically the unsafest form of travel, but I assumed that had more to do with bicyclist crashing, falling, etc., not necessarily colliding with cars.
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by pash »

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DaveKCMO
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by DaveKCMO »

chingon wrote:I know bicycling is basically the unsafest form of travel, but I assumed that had more to do with bicyclist crashing, falling, etc., not necessarily colliding with cars.
driving is the least safe form of travel: http://www.businessinsider.com/flying-i ... 013-7?op=1
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by chingon »

DaveKCMO wrote:
chingon wrote:I know bicycling is basically the unsafest form of travel, but I assumed that had more to do with bicyclist crashing, falling, etc., not necessarily colliding with cars.
driving is the least safe form of travel: http://www.businessinsider.com/flying-i ... 013-7?op=1
I guess I was told your chance of being injured is highest per mile on a bicycle.
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DaveKCMO
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by DaveKCMO »

went on a bike ride saturday with members of the council's T&I committee. projects have been reported previously, but it was a good chance to reflect on what's ahead of us:

- paseo bike facility (actual design TBD)
- 12th street bike lanes from downtown to sheffield
- benton boulevard will become a "bike boulevard" between st. john and cleaver
- downtown loop project is funded and will connect bike lanes on grand, 3rd, 18th, 20th, sw blvd, and beardsley

the new council will definitely be better for this stuff than the last crew -- especially 3rd and 4th districts

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kboish
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by kboish »

What does "bike facility" mean?
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by flyingember »

kboish wrote:What does "bike facility" mean?
guessing that's a professional term for "we don't know exactly what yet"
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by DaveKCMO »

bike facilites: sharrows, buffered lanes, protected lanes, floating lanes (protected by, say, parked cars), bike boulevard, cycletrack, etc., etc.
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by flyingember »

I would hope the city doesn't exclude looking at a classic trail in the median of the street. the sections from Indep Ave to 18th and the south of Brush Creek until roughly Research Medical both have decently wide medians to work with. a trolley track-style trail could work well for at least the southern segment.

to add to safety, block half the crossings and require u-turns every other block

Ward Parkway south of 53rd seems like another place for this idea. A median bike trail would be less invasive and safer than a bike lane and fit with the idea of the grass being parkland
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grovester
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by grovester »

I hadn't heard about a Paseo plan before.

http://fox4kc.com/2016/03/04/midtown-cy ... ike-lanes/

"City officials say they're also considering a bike path that would be the longest in the city. It would cover 19 road miles on The Paseo, and stretch from Independence Avenue to 85th Street."
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DaveKCMO
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by DaveKCMO »

no design yet, so don't hold your breath for a dedicated bike lane that long.
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by TheBigChuckbowski »

Deb Ridgway, Kansas City, Mo.'s bicycle pedestrian coordinator, says the city is searching for a way to accommodate the request. The money exists thanks to a federal grant, but what to do with parked cars? She points out residents living on Armour need the spaces along the street.
How is it that the city's bicycle and pedestrian coordinator is a proponent for cars and not, you know, bicycles and pedestrians?
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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by pash »

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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by aknowledgeableperson »

That one person would be just one voice among many that would have a say in how the streets are used.
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Eon Blue
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Re: Bike Lanes

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Re: Bike Lanes

Post by DaveKCMO »

http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics ... 54712.html
http://kcur.org/post/connect-dots

progress has been VERY slow since the city adopted its bike plan in 2002, but that pace is hopefully change.
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