Comments on: Mayor, MTA and Bike Activists Celebrate First New Bike Lane in Three Years http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/ Covering San Francisco's livable streets movement Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:38:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mikesonn http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-69711 mikesonn Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:43:48 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-69711 Found this interesting: http://www.cts.pdx.edu/pdf/BikeBoxPPT_Dec2009_FridaySeminar.pdf Found this interesting:

http://www.cts.pdx.edu/pdf/BikeBoxPPT_Dec2009_FridaySeminar.pdf

]]> By: jass http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-68041 jass Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:02:28 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-68041 Justin, a cyclists is allowed to position themselves in the bike box, in front of cars. That was not their original intention however, and I think the expansion to this use is not for the best. The one featured in SF for example, is intended for left turns. Cutting the line is a secondary use, and I feel does more damage than good. Justin, a cyclists is allowed to position themselves in the bike box, in front of cars. That was not their original intention however, and I think the expansion to this use is not for the best. The one featured in SF for example, is intended for left turns. Cutting the line is a secondary use, and I feel does more damage than good.

]]> By: Clarence http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-65941 Clarence Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:03:58 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-65941 congrats all my SF friends. Well deserved. I hope to celebrate with ye all soon... congrats all my SF friends. Well deserved. I hope to celebrate with ye all soon…

]]> By: Justin http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-65671 Justin Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:42:42 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-65671 @zsolt and jass-- zsolt is right, and jass's second point is wrong because z is right. there's no 'just because' in this case. @zsolt and jass– zsolt is right, and jass’s second point is wrong because z is right. there’s no ‘just because’ in this case.

]]> By: zsolt http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-65451 zsolt Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:14:11 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-65451 So you can't use the whole space painted green at a light? I have a different impression of the purpose. I thought the purpose is so that you are ahead and visible by drivers at intersections, and also to prevent accidents with right turning vehicles. So you can’t use the whole space painted green at a light? I have a different impression of the purpose. I thought the purpose is so that you are ahead and visible by drivers at intersections, and also to prevent accidents with right turning vehicles.

]]> By: jass http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-65241 jass Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:20:33 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-65241 Bike boxes are intended to allow bikes to move left for a left turn or into a left hand bike lane. Theres no reason a cyclists should cut a line of cars and position themselves in front just because. Bike boxes are intended to allow bikes to move left for a left turn or into a left hand bike lane.

Theres no reason a cyclists should cut a line of cars and position themselves in front just because.

]]> By: smushmoth http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-65011 smushmoth Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:53:06 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-65011 Bicyclists are not allowed to go into the crosswalk to get ahead of the cars. Bicyclists are not allowed to go into the crosswalk to get ahead of the cars.

]]> By: zsolt http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-64911 zsolt Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:20:06 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-64911 I like the bike box idea, but have always wondered, what is the legality of it? Is there a law for bike boxes, or do they just make it easier to exercise what we are already allowed to do (get in front of cars at intersections)? I like the bike box idea, but have always wondered, what is the legality of it? Is there a law for bike boxes, or do they just make it easier to exercise what we are already allowed to do (get in front of cars at intersections)?

]]> By: isaac http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-64811 isaac Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:01:43 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-64811 Noted without comment -- "Whether it provides statistical safety enhancements or not we'll have to find out" Noted without comment — “Whether it provides statistical safety enhancements or not we’ll have to find out”

]]> By: David Saldivar http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-64681 David Saldivar Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:47:05 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-64681 It's tricky for cyclists who turn left against the red light, potentially crossing car traffic turning left southbound on scott from fell. This is why #3 Sara's idea for a left turn signal would be a great additional improvement to this intersection (not that many cyclists would wait for it.) It’s tricky for cyclists who turn left against the red light, potentially crossing car traffic turning left southbound on scott from fell. This is why #3 Sara’s idea for a left turn signal would be a great additional improvement to this intersection (not that many cyclists would wait for it.)

]]> By: smushmoth http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-64591 smushmoth Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:28:45 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-64591 And it's awful wishful thinking to think that people don't ride because they feel unsafe. People don't commute by bike, because they are lazy, it's cold, there are hills, they get stinky, etc. And it’s awful wishful thinking to think that people don’t ride because they feel unsafe. People don’t commute by bike, because they are lazy, it’s cold, there are hills, they get stinky, etc.

]]> By: smushmoth http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-64571 smushmoth Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:24:59 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-64571 How was that left turn particularly tricky for cyclists? I have ridden it every day for years and never had or seen a problem. How was that left turn particularly tricky for cyclists? I have ridden it every day for years and never had or seen a problem.

]]> By: Peter Smith http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-64321 Peter Smith Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:04:47 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-64321 <em># Feeling less threatened by cars while biking: 57 percent # More bike lanes along my route: 51 percent</em> these first two reasons, to me, are the same thing. and that bodes well for our future mode share numbers. <em>Can anyone explain why riding uphill in a bike lane between two lanes of traffic (one of them head on) is a good idea?</em> no facility is perfect -- no facility can completely remove risk from ever being around cars -- whether those cars are moving or just have the potential to move. navigating <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=scott+st,+sf,+ca&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&hq=&hnear=Scott+St,+San+Francisco,+California&ll=37.77462,-122.435873&spn=0.000068,0.003449&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=37.773942,-122.435878&panoid=0PeCOcqGTuYMZateAflJCw&cbp=12,350.4,,0,17.32" rel="nofollow">the left turn onto Fell from Scott</a> (to get onto the bike lane and head towards the Panhandle/GGP) is tricky for cyclists, and scary, especially when considering that cars through that area are as psychopathic as anywhere in the city, and routinely buzz cyclists, regardless of whether or not we take the lane. Cars also seem to be bent on trying to intimidate cyclists, there -- via crawling up our backsides and honking and all that. The new bike lane carves out some exclusive space for cyclists where we can *feel* relatively safe. Whether it provides statistical safety enhancements or not we'll have to find out, but we know bike lanes make us bikers feel safer, which is the number 1 (and 2) reason(s) that more folks don't ride. And we know getting more folks on bikes is key to increased safety for everyone (i.e. 'safety in numbers'), so those are the two reasons making that new bike lane 'a good idea'. # Feeling less threatened by cars while biking: 57 percent
# More bike lanes along my route: 51 percent

these first two reasons, to me, are the same thing. and that bodes well for our future mode share numbers.

Can anyone explain why riding uphill in a bike lane between two lanes of traffic (one of them head on) is a good idea?

no facility is perfect — no facility can completely remove risk from ever being around cars — whether those cars are moving or just have the potential to move. navigating the left turn onto Fell from Scott (to get onto the bike lane and head towards the Panhandle/GGP) is tricky for cyclists, and scary, especially when considering that cars through that area are as psychopathic as anywhere in the city, and routinely buzz cyclists, regardless of whether or not we take the lane. Cars also seem to be bent on trying to intimidate cyclists, there — via crawling up our backsides and honking and all that. The new bike lane carves out some exclusive space for cyclists where we can *feel* relatively safe. Whether it provides statistical safety enhancements or not we’ll have to find out, but we know bike lanes make us bikers feel safer, which is the number 1 (and 2) reason(s) that more folks don’t ride. And we know getting more folks on bikes is key to increased safety for everyone (i.e. ‘safety in numbers’), so those are the two reasons making that new bike lane ‘a good idea’.

]]> By: Michael Baehr http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-63701 Michael Baehr Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:48:47 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-63701 isaac: Because otherwise you're keeping a bunch of cars from making their right turn onto Oak? isaac: Because otherwise you’re keeping a bunch of cars from making their right turn onto Oak?

]]> By: isaac http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-63661 isaac Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:24:08 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-63661 Can anyone explain why riding uphill in a bike lane between two lanes of traffic (one of them head on) is a good idea? Can anyone explain why riding uphill in a bike lane between two lanes of traffic (one of them head on) is a good idea?

]]> By: sara http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-63531 sara Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:28:40 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-63531 I would love to see the lights at this intersection changed to a 3-way signal: 1 cycle for Fell, 1 cycle for Northbound Scott, and 1 cycle for Southbound Scott. Then, cyclists and motorists turning left onto Fell from Scott could have a protected left-hand turn. I would love to see the lights at this intersection changed to a 3-way signal: 1 cycle for Fell, 1 cycle for Northbound Scott, and 1 cycle for Southbound Scott. Then, cyclists and motorists turning left onto Fell from Scott could have a protected left-hand turn.

]]> By: Nick http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-63401 Nick Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:07:07 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-63401 The City is starting to get it right. How do the 5th Street sharrows work? As I understand it, 5th was approved for a bike lane from Market to Townsend. Is the MTA planning on painting sharrows on other dealyed bike lane routes as well? The City is starting to get it right.

How do the 5th Street sharrows work? As I understand it, 5th was approved for a bike lane from Market to Townsend. Is the MTA planning on painting sharrows on other dealyed bike lane routes as well?

]]> By: Michael Baehr http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/12/03/mayor-mta-and-bike-activists-celebrate-first-new-bike-lane-in-three-years/comment-page-1/#comment-63371 Michael Baehr Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:00:12 +0000 http://sf.streetsblog.org/?p=96701#comment-63371 Where is this bike box? I bike down Scott St. every day, and the one that I'm used to (@Oak) is currently all sandblasted out. I see no green paint. Am I blind? Where is this bike box? I bike down Scott St. every day, and the one that I’m used to (@Oak) is currently all sandblasted out. I see no green paint. Am I blind?

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