What’s the rush? New 2-wheeled anti-speeding campaign

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle people

There you see neighborhood activists Nancy Folsom from North Delridge and Miranda Taylor from High Point, gearing up outside Skylark about an hour ago for a southbound bike ride during the Delridge commute. Their goal was small and simple, yet big in its own way – be a presence on the road to remind vehicle drivers that city streets aren’t high-speed expressways. They’re thinking this could grow into a bigger group activity; we’ll let you know about their future plans once we hear how this one went.

Nants March 28, 2008 (6:38 pm)

It was FUN! Chilly, but a very nice outing. Saw many (bicycling) commuters so was reminded Delridge serves cyclists as well as cars. Thanks to Miranda for inspiring this.

Nants March 28, 2008 (6:38 pm)

P.s. Thanks, WSB, for coming out to see us off!

Native March 28, 2008 (8:14 pm)

Excellent work! Maybe next we can have a campaign that informs how dangerous it is for cyclists to ride between cars, or between the cars and the sidewalk to always get to the front any time there is a red light…so that they have a “jump” on the traffic and hold up everyone when the light turns green.

donotenjoybikers March 28, 2008 (9:10 pm)

or maybe we can have a campaign that informs how annoying it is when the biker takes up the whole lane while going negative 5 and doesnt pull to the empty side walk and allow the cars do what a car is supposed to do. talk about annoying bikers! never go around lake washington especially on sundays!

MSW March 28, 2008 (9:11 pm)

Why would anyone want to ride on a busy arterial like Delridge is beyond me. Having been hit by a car when I was a kid, I would cautioned that even if drivers go slow sometime they don’t always see you especially when riders come up from behind on the right, or when they ignore traffic rules, like running a stop sign. A solution would be create more bike only trails so riders can have a safer places to ride. Cyclist mixing with heavy traffic are asking for trouble. They are putting their bodies at risk with strangers who may or may not be good drivers. Why risk it? Use some common sense and find a less busy street to ride on.

M March 28, 2008 (9:48 pm)

Right more education for cyclists on how to interact with cars is needed. As a bicycle commuter I will concede this point. BUT on the same token there should be more education for drivers who spend more time talking on cell phones, digging in purses, passing to close to bicyclists, not stopping at stop signs or racing to get that special parking space.

This discussion should not be about cars, bicycles or where to ride. It should be about how people interact with each other. If you remember drivers education, driving, bicycling and walking, are social interactions as well as transportation. Not a means to go out “bend” those pesky laws because they just are not working for you at this moment. And this week was especially bad one, plenty full of bad example of people “bending the rules” to their own ends.

Joan March 28, 2008 (10:13 pm)

Nancy, Miranda… I don’t quite understand, and I am a Delridge bicycle commuter. How was your ride different than all the other Delridge bicycle commuters? Did you take an entire lane for the length of Delridge, a la Critical Mass?

Brian March 28, 2008 (10:34 pm)

I’ve been a bicycle commuter between West Seattle and Downtown for about 2 years now. I used to live on Delridge but we are now in the Junction area and I can tell you there were times when riding down Delridge really sucked. It’s a good candidate for a bike lane. Unlike much of the rest of West Seattle there aren’t a lot of side street options for getting down to that neighborhood. Jumping up to 21st is a good option but then the connections back to Delridge are few and far between. Not to mention Delridge doesn’t have any real steep hill climbs.

WSB March 28, 2008 (10:40 pm)

A bicycle lane is proposed for most of Delridge under the city’s Bicycle Master Plan – shown on the “south” map (which includes West Seattle) here:
http://www.seattle.gov/Transportation/docs/bmp/RecommendedBicycleFacilities&Routes_South_062007.pdf

Jill March 28, 2008 (10:54 pm)

Yeah, Native and donotenjoybikers, cos people driving cars are never dangerous or annoying. Thanks for the education and for reminding us that the world is supposed to revolve around motor vehicles. Silly me, I always forget that last one.

Sage K March 29, 2008 (3:54 am)

I live on Delridge and drive down it all the time. And I have to tell you as a person in a car doing the speed limit of 35 cyclists freak my out. I’m always terrified that I’m going to hit them. I’m that peson who goes extra far out into the turn lane to pass them or it able change lanes to give them a very wide berth.
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In general I don’t have a problem with people on bikes, except for those that ride far enough out into the lane on single lane road that passing isn’t easy. And since they are on a bike they aren’t doing the speed limit. Sometimes people both drivers and cyclists forget basic courtesy on the road, like if your slow moving pulling over so that the line of cars behind you can pass and so on.
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I think that a bike lane for Delridge would be great. It would be a good guide for the cyclist of how far over they should be and would mean as a driver that I would have less fear of hurting them in passing.
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All though there are backstreet alternatives to Delridge once you get down to a certain point from Juneau to the Steal Mill I believe it’s 25th ( 2 blocks down from Delridge on the west side.) runs parallel to Delridge the whole way and as a residential street has very low traffic volume.

charlabob March 29, 2008 (8:23 am)

Nancy and Miranda–thank you for reminding us all that it’s about interacting — reading the comments reminds me that some folks think it’s about competing. It’s not. Peace.

Kat March 29, 2008 (8:51 am)

Sage, thank you for your comments. I, for one, am of those drivers who is terrified every time I have to pass a cyclist. I haven’t a clue how to solve this issue. Bicycles have a right to the road but, so do cars. How does intentionally getting in the way of traffic flow help anyone? It seems completely irresponsible and adversarial.
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As someone who will never be able to ride a bike or take public transportation to work (I have equipment I have to haul around with me) I am tired of feeling vilified for using my car and expecting to go something resembling the speed limit…
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I don’t have much time to write (I could go on for quite some time) but I just wanted to put a different point of view out there — as unpopular in this thread as it may be.

Nants March 29, 2008 (9:06 am)

Thanks to all who have commented.

My reply got so darn long, I decided it would be rude to take over so much space. So have written here: http://twocatsandcounting.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/contininuing-the-dialogue-over-cycling-in-west-seattle/.

WSMom March 29, 2008 (9:42 am)

What really freaks me out is being on the bus while passing bicyclists. There was a man on a special unicycle riding up First Ave Thursday at 6:00 pm. He was going so fast that he’d pass the bus up at every stop. I kept imagining him hitting a pothole and flying under the bus as we passed him again.

I’d love to see bike/walking trails from West Seattle to downtown. (Yes, I know House, that’ll just raise our taxes). :)

A bike trail along the entire span of Lake Washington Blvd. is also long overdue.

Mike March 29, 2008 (9:44 am)

â€œMove over!â€ I enjoy biking on Seattle streets, but why do some bikers refuse to move over. They are giving all bikers a bad rap. To me not moving over says â€œI am a 5 year old that is starving for attentionâ€. We all learned to share in pre-school now grow up little boys and girls and move over. The phrase, â€œShare the roadâ€ means just that. If you have room, move over and let the flow of traffic continue. Also, having a bike does not give you the right to ignore traffic lights and STOP Signs. Drivers keep you eyes open for bikers and bikers move over!

JayDee March 29, 2008 (10:21 am)

My “rant” is the whole concept of “sharrows”. Sharrows are the city’s new idea of painting the image of a bike on the pavement in order to convince car drivers that they should share the road with bikes.

I saw some rough sharrows painted on Admiral westbound near 39th on the way home the other night, and my first thought was “Yeah, Right”. Any cyclist who is convinced by the sharrows to ride in the traffic lanes on Admiral is probably fatally optimistic. This is typical of the city’s approach to cycling–a feel good and cheap solution that does not solve the problem of mixing cycles and traffic. Both drivers and cyclists need to get along, but as with eggs and bacon, the drivers are involved and the cyclist is committed.

Actual bike lanes, not sharrows, are the only way to separate cars and bikes. But having actual bike lanes costs real money and would get the goat of car activists, and so kneecap the idea politically.

When the mayor proclaimed Seattle as a bike-friendly city I nearly gagged. Couple poor road maintenance, lip-service in the cause of cycling, dark days, some daring cyclists and idiot drivers on cell phones, and Seattle is not “bike city USA”.

As with many of the issues nowadays, there are pro-life (pro-bike) and pro-choice (Pro-car) advocates and little room in between.

Until we have separate bike lanes on thoroughfares like Delridge, I will ride on dedicated trails.

JayDee.

Mr. JT March 29, 2008 (10:51 am)

Has anyone notice the “Sharows” on Admiral ? Now THERE is an accident waiting to happen.

Mark March 29, 2008 (10:58 am)

I will share the road with those that choose to ride their toys around town when they obey the rules of the road and use the bike lanes when they have them. Men and women who choose to ride SLOWLY when there is a bike lane need to be ticketed. Two wheelers demand things like bike lanes and such and then don’t even use them. I just don’t get it.

CM March 29, 2008 (10:58 am)

Not that I’m saying bikes shouldn’t move over but one bike commuter saftey tips is to hold your line. It’s a little shady to be ducking over and then ducking back into traffic when that parked car appears or that car door opens. Especially coming down Avalon I like to keep a little buffer with all the potential flying doors. However, I am very aware when I’m holding up cars and make sure to get over as soon as it’s safe again. I agree with all of the comments that we need to be aware and considerate of eachother. And want to give a shout out for all of the cars on the north part of West Marginal way before you can acess the trail, thanks for the space that you consistently give me.

Bill March 29, 2008 (11:23 am)

I ride a bike, I drive a car. In both cases while on the streets I expect to abide by the laws. What I like about my bike ride is I am experiencing the surroundings, weather its sunny (fantastic)or raining (crappy, but ok). What I like about my car ride is I can get farther in less time and take more stuff.

My point is the roads are for all vehicles. On a bike, it is not always safe to move to the curb, as there is debris and pot holes. And cars can’t see you. When I am in a car, and I want to pass someone, I wait until it is safe, car or bike. When I am on my bike I do the same, as there are slower riders and pedestrians.

So take it easy, breezy!

donotenjoybikers March 31, 2008 (3:08 pm)

Jill, whatever so your trying to say that the world should revolve around you? sorry to burst your bubble, but most people would probally agree with Mike!

karen April 1, 2008 (10:26 am)

I believe most cyclists choose to take a lane to make them feel safer, not to be jerks. They know that drivers do not often see them, are busy doing other things (besides driving), or have a false sense of space when a cyclist is riding off towards the shoulder close to parked cars-which also pose the danger of a door flinging open, by a driver who does not check for cyclists. To me, it makes sense for them to take a lane. Which is their right, and is legal. The speed limit is a limit, a maximum speed. Not a minimum.

Marge April 1, 2008 (3:18 pm)

Bravo Nancy and Miranda! Why do some many of you just hate cyclists? Because we are having fun and you aren’t, stuck in you car? Refresh yourself on the RCW. Bicycles don’t block traffic, we are traffic. You better get use to seeing more of us. Especially when gasoline hits $4.00 a gallon.

Sorry, comment time is over.