An excellent video by a LCI colleague on how a cycling group can more safely change lanes by letting the rear riders take the lead on the change and protect the lane from motorist conflict.
May 28, 2009
by julie
1 Comment
May 20, 2009
by julie
3 Comments
Cyclist Killed in Downtown Minneapolis
The Star-Tribune reports a cyclist being crushed by a truck on Park Avenue in Minneapolis this morning.
If you look at the configuration of the bike lane and the traffic lane at this intersection, and, in fact, all the way along Park Avenue, this tragic occurrence is not surprising. The lane configuration will regularly put a bicyclist riding straight through in the path of turning vehicles, contrary to the rules of strategic lane placement for vehicular cycling:
Incidents like this are challenging, because the bike lane itself ends up being a part cause of the accident. A cyclist stopped at the light may be invisible to a vehicle stopped next to it, depending on lane width, placement, and even the height of the vehicle (like a truck). My advice to cyclists using such a lane with such engineering is to never stop AT the stop line. Be sure to be stopped in such a position that you have a clear view of the rear view mirror of the car in the adjoining lane – so the vehicle is ahead of you. Watch for turn signals. Making noise is also a good plan – sing, clap, whatever. You may look like a goof, but better a live goof than crushed by a truck.
Word on Twitter says there will be a Ride of Silence for the anonymous cyclist tonight, May 20, from Lyndale/34th, but I lack a time for this rumored event. I’m watching the MplsBikeLove forums for more detail.
May 18, 2009
by julie
1 Comment
New bike
I got a new bike today. Yay!
May 11, 2009
by julie
Comments Off on Lazy Media, More Haters, Etc.
Lazy Media, More Haters, Etc.
I’ve concluded that when hard-up for a story or just in a lazy mood, many media outlets resort to poking sticks at the anthill that is bicyclists using roads. Bike to Work Week is apparently a red cape to that lazy bull.
We have another fine example of this genre over at the Strib again. The comments, especially, contain a fine run of the usual: Get on the sidewalks, what of the nice trails we paid for so you would get out of our way, you only obey laws when you feel like it, roads are less safe than trails. More haters on parade, egged on by even reasonable comments from people who know their bicycle laws.
I’ve written about this all before – Toys, Letters & the Bullying Response being the most notable case. As Bob Mionske has said, even if every cyclist stopped at every stop sign (which is a good plan, mind you), you’d still get the misguided squawking about bicycles not belonging on roads.
As bicycle advocates, we’ve got miles and years to go before we reach full acceptance.
April 30, 2009
by julie
Comments Off on May 11-15 is National Bike to Work Week
May 11-15 is National Bike to Work Week
Well, really, all of May is National Bike Month. May 11-15 is National Bike to Work week.
Your area may have events planned. Minneapolis-St. Paul are events are listed at http://www.bikewalkweek.org/.
However, if you’re thinking about using the week as an attempt to try biking to work yourself, start planning now.
Some questions to consider:
- What route might be safest/most effective for your cyclecommute? Check out a few options in the next week or so. How’s the shoulder? Traffic volume? Intersections and crossings?
- What’s your situation at work in regards to dress code? Some people find stocking their cube/office with a few changes into office-appropriate clothing keeps their baggage light for the bike commute, and can be done once a week or on days when driving is unavoidable for whatever reason.
- Do you have other necessities to pull it off? May is a month of good light, but you might still wish to consider riding with a lightset, just in case. Do you have wipes or makeup or whatever else would be bueno to make you not an odor burden on your work plans?
- What are your obligations? You might be able to get away with blocking early hours now on a date you want to try a first commute, so you don’t accidentally miss a morning meeting, piss off your boss, and end up never cycling to work again because you are a bum with a bike and no job.
Plan ahead, be safe, and be successful!