Home › Forums › Open Discussion › New bike commuters – how did it go??
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October 24, 2011 at 4:24 pm #600996
amaliaParticipantIt was fantastic to see so many people on bikes this morning! Everyone I saw (at 6:45-ish) looked pretty well lit up and dressed for the weather. How was it? I’m curious if the Alaskan mess caused problems or scared people (it’s pretty scary). If you got lost, too hot, too cold, harrassed, helped… please post so we veterans can take note and offer advice or encouragement if needed.
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Please, no bike bashing here. You can start another thread for that. Just let’s hear from the bike commuters.
October 24, 2011 at 5:57 pm #738212
HormelParticipantAt 7:00 did not see too many more than usual. Some that were there need to work on their lighting, a lot of pretty dim blinkies.
New turn lane at Massachussetts was strange. Opted to stay on the road rather than navigate the new cones and pedestrians on the West side.
October 24, 2011 at 6:10 pm #738213
AlParticipantExcellent idea Amalia! I am a regular commuter anyway, not new. Lots more cyclists out there today (pre-7:00 am) than normal, many more than normal heading southbound. Second Hormel’s comment…get lit! When it’s dark and you have nothing but dark clothing on you are virtually invisible. Remember to stay to the right when on the bike paths/using crossings.
It looks like the new turn pocket on Mass isn’t finished yet (??)…in any case it still involves cyclists needing to merge left into the regular travel lane when the bike lane ends…maybe SDOT can move that bike lane end to coincide with the new turn pocket (just a crazy thought). Be careful here as drivers are moving fast and there’s more of them. They are likely also unaware that the bike lane ends just after the curve in the road and cyclists will be merging in that blind area. Use caution and if you have to stop before merging then stop and wait for traffic to clear.
I already had a co-worker come to ask me for advice on the route since they were totally confused about how to navigate from the new path into/through downtown, a common problem.
If anyone wants a ride partner for the ride home today or any time during the week, I am game.
October 24, 2011 at 6:32 pm #738214
amaliaParticipantI stayed on the road at Massachusetts this morning too and not a single vehicle came in behind me (I was lit up like a Christmas tree – DO NOT go into that chute if you are not visible!). It can be very confusing, and I second the offer to be a ride partner (could meet at the bridge at 6:45).
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Get lit! Those disposable blinkies are only good for emergencies, like when you batteries die. Go to Cycle U and have them hook you up with a good bright light on front and back. Use the money you are saving on gas :).
October 25, 2011 at 6:53 pm #738215
datamuseParticipantI’m not commuting by bike–I work in Tacoma–but I have a need to be in downtown Seattle on weekends and it would be nice to be able to ride. I’ve got a bike route map, but I’m wondering if there are some other resources y’all could point me to about navigating downtown, especially with the viaduct work going on. (I’m sure there was some in all of WSB’s coverage, but I can’t seem to find it.)
October 25, 2011 at 8:07 pm #738216
amaliaParticipantDatamuse-
I’m assuming you have the city’s bike route map – I think regular riders are your next best resource.
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Do you have your route TO the bridge from your starting point worked out already? If not, I’m sure someone here can help with that (I might be able to, I’ve been riding WS to downtown for >10 years).
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From the bridge onward, it’s usually straightforward, but with the construction, it’s a little less so. But still the same route. Through the mess (if you want detailed help with that, I’m happy to advise), slowly and cautiously. Then once you get to the bike trail where it resumes on the EAST side of the road, you can turn east into downtown at whatever street you’re going to. Jackson/King have the mildest grade and room to ride, others are hairier (you might choose to walk up anyway – it gets pretty steep). Going N-S through town, 2nd has a bike lane (S only) that I never use because cars turn through it indiscriminately. I prefer to use 3rd (great at commute times, since it’s ostensibly closed to cars – violators abound) and take a lane. Haven’t tried it on weekends. Happy to provide more specific input, if you want it!
October 25, 2011 at 8:10 pm #738217
AlParticipantUnfortunately there’s not many “resource” out there for new bike commuters. Nor is there only one source of information. The main information about routes is out there with the Map. Otherwise if you have specific questions about your route or would like to find out if anyone could ride with you to check out your route, most commuter cyclists are super ready to help out! Just post here for more specific help and I’m sure someone will jump in.
i.e. do you need help with the whole route or just part of the route? It’s helpful to know where you are coming from and where you are heading and at what times…
You can post your ride route questions at Cascade Bicycle Club’s Community Forums/Message Boards and get lots of good route advice there: http://www.cascade.org/Community/
Some other basic information can be found here at the Walk, Bike, Ride site: http://www.seattle.gov/waytogo/default.htm
or from WA State: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/
or from http://www.bicyclealliance.org/
October 25, 2011 at 8:54 pm #738218
dtownMemberMaybe we could set up a MAPMYRIDE Path Map?
October 26, 2011 at 5:11 pm #738219
AlParticipantdtown, that is a good idea, especially since the current bike maps don’t include some routes that the locals take. However, I don’t know how to operate mapmyride…?
October 26, 2011 at 5:18 pm #738220
AndyParticipantEasy as can be, Al. Just head over to the website and register for free. After that it’s just a matter of following the prompts to set up routes. I haven’t used it extensively, but I know you can name the routes, and you can probably set it up so that people from WSB who want to check out any of the routes that are set up can search for them quickly and easily.
October 26, 2011 at 5:26 pm #738221
AndyParticipantIndeed, I just fooled around with it for about 5 minutes. You can – if you are inclined to administer this sort of thing – create a group for West Seattle commuters to join.
October 26, 2011 at 6:29 pm #738222
AlParticipantHmmmm…let me play with it for a bit when I have some time…thanks!
October 26, 2011 at 9:31 pm #738223
amaliaParticipantmapmyride is a great idea, assuming you can put in noted to explain all the detours. I’ll check it out tonight.
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