tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523357558654725888.post4880649282757355624..comments2024-01-05T11:00:30.673-06:00Comments on DFW Point-to-Point: Loneliness of the Long Distance YetiSteve Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650405341304401203noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523357558654725888.post-65636141534760417822010-09-24T15:35:57.193-05:002010-09-24T15:35:57.193-05:00I don't know much about Dallas and never watch...I don't know much about Dallas and never watched the show, but will add some general comments not specific to any locality. <br /><br />Adding bicycling infrastructure without bicyclist training is a little like saying we can make driving "safer" by designing "better roads" but at the same time waiving the motor vehicle examination. Would anyone in their right mind say that motorists don't need training?<br /><br />Given our low speeds and mass, cyclists don't endanger others on a scale compared to motorists (hence no licensing and insurance requirements for bicyclists). However, that doesn't mean that the untrained cyclist cannot routinely hurt him/herself. Three examples: preventable crashes, cyclist self-intimidation telegraphed to others, and looking foolish. The untrained or uncaring cyclist hurts us all. Steve and Whareagle are spot-on.<br /><br />One needs all the E's to make a better cyclist and to build bicycling-friendly communities. Education is a critical one of those E's and is easily transportable, not just stuck in Portland, OR or some other officially recognized BFC.<br /><br />cheers,<br />KhalKhalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11866897914538110672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523357558654725888.post-65242146727070811012010-09-24T10:58:02.417-05:002010-09-24T10:58:02.417-05:00Nice post.
I DO think that in Cambridge, we do see...Nice post.<br />I DO think that in Cambridge, we do see a lot more bikers in general, and I am seeing an increasing minority that ride safely and consistently, but there's a long way to go. The BPD just did an "enforcement" action resulting in 75 light running tickets for bikes in a really dangerous gnarly intersection, and I will say that most of the local bike press has been supportive. Education by ticket is one way to go, but yes, it would be better if we had more bicycle training in schools- as part of Driver's Ed for example. Can't see that happening in an era of decreased funding though.cyclerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10331461189944538729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523357558654725888.post-68391027767509516172010-09-24T10:04:22.140-05:002010-09-24T10:04:22.140-05:00Today's post on my site starts with a short Ye...Today's post on my site starts with a short Yeti sighting... but like you, it is a rare thing indeed. Still, I'm seeing more responsible cycling in London Ontario than ever.<br /><br />You make excellent points. One can't really blame motorists for being a little twitchy around cyclists... so many do random, stupid things.<br /><br />When I was little there was a kind of "bike ed" in elementary school. Not any more.RANTWICKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15394479078513545568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523357558654725888.post-56363643649677978482010-09-24T08:00:03.362-05:002010-09-24T08:00:03.362-05:00Caitlin, I really wish you'd invest some time ...Caitlin, I really wish you'd invest some time in reporting about the counter-counter culture that is trying to teach cyclists how to ride responsibly, without government intervention. Your push for community change is coming from an infrastructure point of view. Steve rides within the current structure, in a lawful, legal, and ultimately safer way. I'm sorry that you haven't seen fit to promote the cheaper, quicker, smarter, and safer alternative to "Bike Friendly" projects. They're a canard.<br /><br />Ask the Bike Friendly groups why they are not or have not promoted their own bike ed or traffic skills programs. Ask them why they feel so concerned about the need for bike lanes, when riding in a safe and respectful manner is so easy, yet it is not practiced by them. Ask them if they really do use their bikes for most or all of their trips, and if so, do they follow the law? If not, ask why. I beg you to come out and ride with a lawful cyclist on a lone trip, to see what can be done without the need for expensive infrastructure. Interview other commuting and recreational cyclists who aren't embracing the 'bike friendly' demand for more lanes and segregated pathways. Investigate the true and honest costs of such investments vs. low-cost education and implementation programs.<br /><br />Finally, try riding to work for more than a day or more than a week. Commit yourself to proper cycling to work on a 4-week basis. Once is an event, 5 times is an experience, 28 times is just another commute. That will cost you nothing but Powerbars.<br /><br />OR, you can call me and I'll do all the work for you and take you around and show you what can be done already on our streets. You can email Steve for my direct information.whareaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15824055294445501713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523357558654725888.post-31666840365152287482010-09-23T14:39:07.466-05:002010-09-23T14:39:07.466-05:00Good afternoon,
Hope this finds you well. We tho...Good afternoon, <br /><br />Hope this finds you well. We thought you might be interested in this feature from the latest issue of D Magazine, Dallas’ city magazine. Author Josh Hixson follows the public face of the counter-culture bicycle movement in Dallas. Yes, Dallas—the city where “bigger is better” and suburban sprawl thrives. A group of passionate activists is starting a counter-culture revolution here, yet the goal is simple: create a city that they would want to live in. <br /><br />The movement is focused on building a culture around biking and promoting it as a healthier, more environmentally friendly way to get around the city. They’re pushing for political change and trying to chip away at this city’s car-centric culture. Hixson leaves the readers with a push toward a brighter, more bike friendly Dallas; one in which bike-lovers and alternative-transportation activists’ friends will someday stop leaving for San Francisco and Portland. <br /><br />We think your readers, as well as, biking enthusiasts will enjoy this article. The issue is on newsstands now and the story is live online: http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Magazine/2010/October/Oak_Cliff_Pedal_Pushers.aspx<br /><br />Thanks for taking a look. And cheers to a more bike-friendly Dallas.<br /><br /><br />Caitlin West<br />Brand and Communications Assistant<br />D Magazine Partners<br />750 North St. Paul Street, Ste 2100<br />Dallas, Texas, 75201<br />214-540-0144<br /><br />Dmagazine.com<br />Facebook.com/DMagazineOnline<br />Twitter.com/DMagazineCaitlin & Hughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06412504951563008397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523357558654725888.post-80621346476064075332010-09-23T10:01:24.233-05:002010-09-23T10:01:24.233-05:00Not sure why you open with "I'm not a veh...Not sure why you open with "I'm not a vehicular cyclist" unless its to distance yourself from all the sour politics going on regarding use of the VC term. <br /><br />I like to say I'm a VC but not say why. Its because secretly, I'm thinking of those guys in BF Goodrich sandals pushing bikes loaded with hundreds of pounds of equipment and supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Not too many remember that these days. Talk about showing that the bicycle is king....Khalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11866897914538110672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2523357558654725888.post-42225538301271686242010-09-23T08:57:57.784-05:002010-09-23T08:57:57.784-05:00Excellent Steve. It's a Yeti sighting for me j...Excellent Steve. It's a Yeti sighting for me just to see a cyclist stop at a signal in a manner that is both legal and demonstrates predictable intent. I can't say "never" like you, but it's a very small minority of a very small minority. My post today is on a similar topic, it's almost like you read my mind. Or I yours. Or maybe you just sent clear signals that I picked up: you blog like you ride. <br /><br />[jackle]John Romeo Alphahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01289456379789026152noreply@blogger.com