Enforcement on Penn Ave This AM

[rcannon100]

The problem with asking for more enforcement is that we get more enforcement. Just not enforcement of the rules that we want or enforcement that makes any sense to anyone with a clue in their brain.

The solution is infrastructure. There needs to be a better design that physically prevents illegal u-turns (bollards; a small curb).

[baiskeli]

Jay-bikers? Meaning cyclists cutting across lanes in the middle of the block?

Well, that sounds illegal, and hazardous, so….

[Terpfan]

I keep waiting for the day where a cop sits at the bottom of one of the hills I take. I fully expect a ticket for speeding and would proudly accept it if I received one.

[83b]

@baiskeli 53819 wrote:

Jay-bikers? Meaning cyclists cutting across lanes in the middle of the block?

Well, that sounds illegal, and hazardous, so….

It was the nicest way to say “idiots who run red lights right next to MPD cruisers” that I could summon early on a Monday.

[baiskeli]

@83(b) 53828 wrote:

It was the nicest way to say “idiots who run red lights right next to MPD cruisers” that I could summon early on a Monday.

Okay. Well, running red lights is illegal and dangerous too.

[KLizotte]

There was a good write-up of the NPS public hearing last week. I attended the meeting and my take away is as follows:

1) While it may have been advertised to the contrary, the meeting organizers did not intend to focus on biking safety at all (until prodded that is).

2) Their view is that DDOT has sole responsibility for putting in bollards or other safety infrastructure along the cycletrack. The NPS said they have an “advisory” role on such matters (it was not made clear whether they can actually stop a plan from going forward though) and were waiting for proposals from DDOT. They also seemed to indicate that the Arts Commission may have an even bigger role in determining what safety measures are implemented.

3) All in all, I got the impression that each respective group (NPS, DDOT, Arts Commission, BID) were all waiting for someone else to make a move in terms of improving the safety of PA Ave for both cyclists and peds. I pointed that out and suggested that the collected group in the room should take the initiative to work with DDOT to get something done.

I did arrive 20 minutes late so if I am mistaken in my summary I apologize. A WABA representative did get up to make a few comments as did Greenbelt and a few members from the cycling public. It would have been nice if there had been some ped activists too to show solidarity in numbers.

[fuzzy]

Bikes and cars will always have problems in this area. U-turn or no U-turn. Why?; Because this area (metro & beyond) is full of foreigners who come from countries where drinking alcohol and driving is alright, speeding and other dangerous behavior while driving a vehicle is alright. Now undocumented folks can waltz, tango, do the cha-cha or macarania, into the MVA and obtain a drivers license.

Education will not work, unless we do like the Germans and other Euro’s and teach it early, teach it in school- How to cross the street ride a bike, etc.. Your not teaching a thirty-something year old how to interact with a bike or simply drive responsibly when he/she was not doing that at all to begin with.

Remember in school they taught stranger danger… Why can’t we teach our youth about this stuff.

So, we cannot fix the problem over night. I say change the laws and make moving infractions something very serious in nature. Serious fines, serious penalties including incarceration. Make it serious business.

Go to another country and do ….. wait I know we are in America…. never mind.

I’ll end this with an example of what I’m saying- Remember back in the day when you didnt want to pay for parking in the city? What did you do: you parked your car on the street and got that $25 parking ticket. It was worth it right? Why pay to park when it was cheaper to get a ticket. Now look where we are, we (well the city) got serious. Parking enforcement attacks on bikes, segways, and on foot, vans pull up and 15 of them jump out waiving ticket machines all over the place. Parking enforcement cars use police technology and drive around with tag readers to find those cars with outstanding tickets and get-em.

Its serious, and thats were we as a society and country need to be on transportation. SERIOUS.:mad: Until then, I’ll see you all amongst the bollards & sharrows.

[Author]

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