[Guus]

That’s circular logic though. The authors say that:

“American women’s lives are still disproportionately filled with driving children around, getting groceries, and doing other household chores – housework that doesn’t lend itself easily to two-wheeled transportation. “

The whole point of introducing protected bicycle infrastructure is exactly that it will allow two-wheeled transportation for those chores. Visiting the grocery store, bringing kids around are all very common by bike in the Netherlands.

Yes, there are deep cultural differences between the Netherlands and the USA with regards to women in the workforce. But the safety aspect is crucial here: if you don’t feel 100% sure that you’ll be able to safely get to the grocery store with your kids on your bike, you won’t go.

I live in Arlington, and while the county is doing a decent job improving on the poor existing situation, bicycling to Whole Foods in Clarendon along Wilson or Clarendon can be a harrowing experience. Cars driving 40+ mph, no physical protections, parking at the wrong side of the bicycle lane etc.

[Guus]

@dasgeh 96931 wrote:

Quick poll: do people think a sign, such as the digital traffic sign below, instructing drivers to look for peds/bikes would be helpful in the interim? Click “Like” for yes or “Elite” for no. Any suggestions on what it should say? (reply)

I’m not a big fan of these signs — it is a temporary solution only. Once the sign is gone, the old behavior will come back.

A sign like this makes sense when there is a temporary change in traffic patterns, or an event, that requires a temporary warning. Not for a permanent change.

[Guus]

– Intersection of Doom

– Fix the Quincy/Washington Blvd crossing where the dedicated bike lane on Quincy north-bound disappears for 100 yards or so to accommodate a car turn-lane. For bicyclists going north on Quincy this leads to a dangerous situation as they have to merge with car traffic right after the crossing: just when cars are accelerating.

– Improve the dangerous situation at Whole Foods in Clarendon. Clarendon Blvd there is unnecessary wide — there is a painted bikelane but there is plenty of space for physical buffers between the bike lane and the roadway. That would trim the roadway and reduce speeding there. It would also make crossing Clarendon by foot a lot safer. See picture here: would be great if the yellow areas become physical barriers.

– Find a way to connect the nice bikelanes on Fairfax drives with the nice bikelanes on Wilson. Coming from Ballston, it is not easy for bicyclists to connect to Wilson, with the two major crossings in between.

– I second the suggestion by Chris_s: Kirkwood Rd Road Diet and Bike Facilities between Washington Blvd and Fairfax Drive

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6385[/ATTACH]

[Guus]

…was absolutely glorious. What a beautiful day! Wind in the back, nice temperature…

[Guus]

Harry, thanks for bringing that up. I am not planning to use it for longer rides — 2 or 3 miles is probably the max range — but nevertheless I am now leaning towards American brands vs. importing a true Dutch bike from the Netherlands. We’re visiting there this summer so I could buy one pre-owned and carry it with me in the plane, but this thread has shown me that there are lots of options locally.

I like my Trek bike, but it is not geared towards commuting. I’ve added fenders etc but the open chain is getting really annoying (always have to worry about my pant sleeves). Most of all I miss being able to sit upright.

[Guus]

Thank you for all the suggestions! This is excellent.

[Guus]

A few weeks ago there were huge piles of water on both sides of the trail there — drainage wasn’t working correctly.

[Guus]

Bob, excellent videos — this one and the one about First Street NE. Great way of “exploring” the new bike tracks from my sofa — now on to try them in real-life.

Seth, I agree that there’s a potential for collisions with pedestrians; there are a few examples in Bob’s video of that too. Coming from the “bicycle mecca” of Amsterdam I can only say that this won’t go away. Tourists especially have a hard time seeing the distinction between bike lanes and pedestrian paths, or are not aware of the speed of a bicycle.

[Guus]

I understand bollards are not popular, and I totally get why, but these entrances to the bike-lane seem a little too wide: makes it very tempting for cars to drive on them, “just until the next block”.

It seems like some physical improvements such as a bollard or a narrow entrance would make sense there, no?

[Guus]

@bobco85 82109 wrote:

As far as I’m concerned, anybody trying to use a phone while moving in any direction is a potential threat to themselves and other people/objects around them. Also, I don’t buy the argument that some people make when they claim, “But I CAN be safe and alert while using my phone when I walk/bike/drive!” Anecdotes aside, there’s actual empirical evidence to the contrary of that claim.

I like to think I’m a pretty experienced bicyclist but I would have a hard time holding and reading my phone while on my bike. Let alone in traffic. Wow.

[Guus]

Welcome Harry!

[Guus]

Welcome to the forum Edgar!

[Guus]

I was going to suggest eliminating the sliplane from Clarendon to 15th street, which makes the bike lane there tricky (the area that was recently painted green).

It’s just outside of the scope of the highlighted area.

Then I found that there already is a WalkArlington project for this, in “Active” state: http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/CapTrack/Details.aspx?q=UHJval9JZD0zMjM0&r=TmVpZ2hib3Job29kX05tPSZTdHJlZXRfTm09JlByb2dfSWQ9MCZQcm9qX1R5cGVfSWQ9MCZQcm9qX05tPWNvdXJ0aG91c2UmUGhhc2VfSWQ9MA==

[Guus]

Wow, so much anger! It is a little scary indeed.

[Guus]

@Tim Kelley 79988 wrote:

Link for the lazy?

http://arlington.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=2739

[Author]

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