ImaCynic

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 284 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • in reply to: Bike lanes coming to Hains Point. #1126888
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    @Steve O 226198 wrote:

    I am curious to hear from someone who has ridden in the counter-clockwise direction. During any sort of busy time, I would think this would feel uncomfortable, riding between opposing traffic on both sides.
    Anyone?

    I rode it CCW during the BikeDC ride. Granted that it was packed with non-regular cyclists being non-linear, so it may not accurately depict a typical day. There were also walkers and joggers all occupying the same bi-directional lanes that snaked around various parking layouts plus having on-coming traffic has made the experience much less pleasant.

    ImaCynic
    Participant
    ImaCynic
    Participant
    in reply to: Pete Signs Removed From Bridge! #1126705
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    @Steve O 225938 wrote:

    I have it under good authority that Bikenetic, Pete’s family, BikeArlington and scores of individuals were supportive of the posting of these signs. I’d be surprised if you can find anyone who knew Pete well who would agree with you.
    As huskerdont points out in his note, what may be bureaucratically out of due process happens to also be wonderful. Sadly, there are those who believe bureaucratic senselessness should override wonderfulness.

    Agreeing to putting up signs where they are not allowed? No – I’m not looking for agreement nor am I a fanboy of bureaucracy. But “supportive of the posting of these signs” doesn’t give you the permission to do so, or at least on that bridge. You put it up knowing full well that there is a high likelihood that it will be taken down, and it has. It was a nice stunt while it lasted.

    Pete’s name should NOT be tied-up in a bureaucratic tussle in any way.

    in reply to: Pete Signs Removed From Bridge! #1126699
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    Let’s not taint Pete’s legacy by associating his name to an illegal act.

    in reply to: Protected bike lane in Georgetown – close call #1126656
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    @Steve O 225907 wrote:

    (for clarification, co-worker is a she)

    I think the whole point she was making, being from Germany and seeing how things can be different, is that the infrastructure itself could be improved in ways to protect vulnerable road users from whatever the drivers want to do.
    So, yes, likely nothing the police can do about this, but we have already seen improvements that provide better separation for different users over the last decade. And that has happened because people have spoken up.

    Her question was both specific to her incident, but also more broadly, “how can this infrastructure be improved to keep this from happening to others?” I share her consideration for future users.

    My apology for the improper assumption of pronouns. Your co-worker must realize just how bad and ill-prepared most drivers are here in the US when compared to Germany, and bad drivers/driving is the root cause of this issue. Looking back at the most recent cyclist deaths in DC, I believe all can be traced to negligent drivers, and I’d argue that no amount of infrastructure would have prevented these, and using infrastructure as a way to mitigate bad driving is impractical, if not impossible, for most municipalities.

    I see NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING being done to ensure that the operator of a 2000+lb cyclist flattener possesses the necessary skills to operate it proficiently. Since majority the population drives, why not start by implementing programs like mandatory driver’s training, and policies that help in making better drivers? In Virginia, a driver’s license is good for ten years, which I find it ridiculous. It should be five years max, and a full re-testing upon renewal, regardless of age. If a vehicle in Virginia requires an annual safety inspection, shouldn’t a driver pass a fit-to-drive evaluation as well?

    But of course, imposing such draconian driving regulations would be so un-American as it infringes on the right to drive (for all intents and purposes). In Germany, I believe it costs serval thousands of Euros, mostly in training, just to obtain a driver’s license. So driving is truly a privilege there, but the end results of this approach are undeniable. While there, I had no issues overtaking others at 200+km/h on the autobahn, knowing that Rechts Fahren is strictly observed, practiced, and enforced.

    DC has descent biking infrastructure already, and while I am not opposed to continued expansion, I do believe that there is a tipping point for which non-cyclists will begin to question why, not unlike those that are complaining about the Old Georgetown road lanes. Striking that delicate balance between these opposing forces will be the key.

    Infrastructure alone can only give a false sense of safety, so having more competent drivers AND cyclists will be the other missing pieces of this puzzle and NEVER, ever assume that you are safe and protected when you ride, you are not.

    in reply to: Protected bike lane in Georgetown – close call #1126666
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    @Steve O 225897 wrote:

    What is your point? That my friend should not report it to anyone? That we should accept drivers doing anything they want, because that’s just the way it is?

    Just responding to your comments on the prospect of cycling as a form of transportation. The sad reality is that drivers WILL do whatever they want – Lane markings? yield/stop signs? traffic lights? speed limit? bike lanes? Meaningless. Why are there so many speed, red light, and stop sign cameras in DC? Certainly not because everyone is a model driver.

    Expecting traffic laws to protect and others to obey is the most dangerous thing a cyclist can do. Should he report this experience? Well, what’s the crime? The driver *almost* hit him?

    in reply to: Protected bike lane in Georgetown – close call #1126662
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    @Steve O 225893 wrote:

    And thus we should expect that the percentage of people cycling as a transportation option will forever remain in the low single digits.

    Yes, and a “cycling as a transportation option” really only applies in the context of urban mobility and going beyond this is simply not an option for majority of the population. Furthermore, I’d argue that most sees cycling as an activity, not a mean of transportation.

    in reply to: Protected bike lane in Georgetown – close call #1099140
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    Expect the unexpected is the norm and not the exception when it comes to urban riding, better get used to this.

    in reply to: Great Pumpkin Ride 2022 #1121937
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    Can someone please inform our resident artist Fast Friendly Guy David Pomeroy, or anyone that enjoys painting to drop everything and get this $150 professional grade painting software for $10 before this deal ends tomorrow?

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]29138[/ATTACH]
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]29139[/ATTACH]

    in reply to: Goodbye, Spokes Etc. #1117794
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    @kwarkentien 213358 wrote:

    That sucks. And now we’ll lose access to Specialized.

    I’ve started to use Handy Bikes in Alexandria on Wheeler Avenue near Port City. It’s a really small, independent shop but great folks there and reasonable prices.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Don’t forget Conte’s as they carry Specialized. They have a shop on King/N. Henry in Alexandria.

    in reply to: How you know peleton is different from actual biking #1117789
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    Perhaps the next bike should be a real one. Also, the name Peloton is bit of an irony to what this is.

    in reply to: Smartphone holders – recommendations & warnings? #1114526
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    Don’t do it. Too risky as today’s phone are too big. Keep the phone in your pocket and just get a bike computer.

    in reply to: W&OD bike-pedestrian crash – 5/20/21 #1114351
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    @Brett L. 210827 wrote:

    The only thing can do is that at any given point when following a runner is to assume they will pull a Crazy Ivan without warning. If they have not provided any acknowledgement of your signals, they have not heard your signals. Give them extra space and caution.

    ^^^This.

    There is only so much that a cyclist can do. The use audible warnings may not be registered by all, but at least doing so can hopefully counter those “I have no idea that a bike was behind me” claims.

    in reply to: W&OD bike-pedestrian crash – 5/20/21 #1114336
    ImaCynic
    Participant

    Glad to know that all parties seemed okay. I also suspect that a simple bell would have prevented this. Why isn’t it required on all bikes using the trails? Good to see that you choose to refer this incident as a “crash” rather than an “accident”.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 284 total)