[jrenaut]

Nope, she had her own bike, and even a helmet. I think she was just dumb.

[jrenaut]

I almost hit someone riding the wrong way on 15th NW – I was driving (unfortunately, I know), turning right onto 15th, and she was coming from my right on the left side of the road. There are bike lanes on both sides of 15th there, though for whatever reason they are both signed northbound. One would think that someone choosing to ride the wrong way would at least keep on the right, but I guess she disagreed.

[jrenaut]

I’ve seen those two directing traffic (poorly) a few times. They seem to casually try to maybe sort of prevent easily discouraged drivers from running the light (mostly northbound traffic on 14th).

I’m nearly positive there are 100 places in the city that need them more than that one does, especially since they don’t seem to actually care if you do run the light. Either give tickets, or get out of the way. They also like to casually stroll through the bike lanes when the lanes have the green light, which is especially fun. You’d think a bike cop might actually be paying attention and respect the bike lanes.

[jrenaut]

@DaveK 6954 wrote:

My two cents – I would never have roadside assistance with a 5-mile towing limit. Imagine what happens if you’re on the interstate coming home from Shenandoah or something. I’ve always stepped up to the 100-mile plan and I’ve had to use it a couple of times. I’m sure just those two instances paid for the plan.

Agreed – I’ve needed two tows, and both were well beyond 5 miles. One was just a hair shy of the 100 mile limit.

[jrenaut]

No. If I’m on a CaBi bike without a helmet, it’s because I left the house not planning to bike anywhere. You can give me a million helmets and it won’t make me take one with me when I don’t expect to bike. Whenever I DO leave the house expecting to bike, I have my helmet.

I don’t think it’s going to help, but I also don’t think it’s as big a problem as a lot are making it out to be. I’ve only been biking in the city since November, but even since then the increasing number of CaBi bikes (and other bike traffic) has made me feel safer on the roads. Cars see more bikes, so they expect them. Most accidents, as far as I can tell, are cars not expecting a bike to be there at all.

That’s not to say I disagree with the program – if it saves one life, it’s worth it. But I think the problem is overblown, and this won’t be much of a solution.

[jrenaut]

@OneEighth 6883 wrote:

It’s probably all in my head.

I suspect all crank manufacturers wish everyone had your head.

[jrenaut]

Riding in the rain for me would be much nicer if I had managed to install the fenders yet that were given to me by a nice member of the forum.

I remember years of playing soccer in glasses as a kid – I don’t envy you biking in them.

[jrenaut]

@americancyclo 6781 wrote:

That GGW comment thread is getting UGLY! …

Isn’t it a corollary to Godwin’s Law that, as time goes to infinity, civility in online comment thread discussions goes to zero? And the speed at which it heads there is proportional to how inconvenienced one side is by the opposition?

[jrenaut]

I have never used them, but Greater Greater Washington approves, and they generally know what they’re talking about. The WABA supports them, too, as they have a signup affiliate code (see linked article).

[jrenaut]

It looks fine on my Droid.

I have had problems with Chromium (the completely open-source version of Chrome) on Crunchbang Linux. I realize that’s a fairly obscure combination, but I haven’t had any problems like this on any other site. I can’t view uploaded photos, and I can’t use the “Reply to Thread” button. The little reply button on each post works, though.

[jrenaut]

I’ve been out of town, but saw this thread linked on The Wash Cycle before I saw it here. My first thought was, “Oh, crap, that was probably CCrew”. Glad to hear it wasn’t any worse.

[jrenaut]

I really can’t decide whether this is terrible, beautiful, or just a normal day in DuPont.

[jrenaut]

@KLizotte 5851 wrote:

The biggest problem with the Mall right now is its popularity, esp now that summer is here. I ride the Mall every day on my commute and dodging peds is a real challenge. It would be super helpful if the NPS would install (or paint existing pathways) cycleways with “no peds allowed” signs; that way, peds and cyclists could largely avoid one another. Without some “traffic management” I fear adding CaBi stations will just exacerbate the current congestion.

My point about CaBi on the Mall is that it’s really hard to get down there now – public transportation doesn’t really get you that close to a lot of the attractions, and parking sucks. But I hear you about The Mall – even just dodging the jaywalkers on 7th NW is a PITA.

[jrenaut]

Melbourne is one of my favorite cities in the world. I didn’t realize helmets were mandatory there, as I didn’t try to bike, but it does appear to be a very bike-friendly city.

I like that the tourists are taking longer trips – it definitely helps CaBi earn some money. I think the positive externalities are worth operating it at a loss, but that doesn’t mean that I WANT it operating at a loss.

But this means that the city needs to work out this National Park Service exclusive contract crap so that they can put CaBi stations on The Mall and other prime locations where they currently can’t. It would also be nice to get more signs pointing out attractions that are easily accessible by bike. I got stopped by a large group of CaBi tourists at Hains Point asking me where a particular road went, and I had no idea. They seemed to be having a ball on the bikes.

[jrenaut]

@WillStewart 5705 wrote:

On bad ozone days, I’m switching over to bus/metrorail, so it’s not clear how you extrapolate this to “live my life based on a weather report”. I personally would prefer not to damage my lungs by ignoring such conditions, but that’s just me. I bike commute for improved health and reducing dependence on foreign oil, and continue to meet those objectives with this approach.

I’m just speaking for myself. You don’t need my permission or approval to make your own decisions.

[Author]

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