How to Talk to a Non-Cycling Liberal About Bicycling

Cycling itself is neither liberal nor conservative, and experienced cyclists find they mostly agree on how stuff works on and around bikes, and what to do in various traffic situations. However, non-cycling liberals seem to love to talk about bicycling, even though they (by definition) don’t actually ride bikes themselves.

However, as a matter of fact, cycling is a favored non-cycling liberal theme. Presumably, cycling will save the planet from global climate change. Most non-cycling liberals, however, are conflicted about cycling. Their ignorance leads them to get wrapped up in “us versus them” class warfare, espousing amusing views on transportation cycling, and indulging their overpowering urges towards more government control; the old notion of "better too much than too little." As a result, caution is in order so that you can talk to liberals (or non-liberals) about bicycling truthfully, without appearing on their “fascist enemies of the state” list. This caution should apply to you as a cyclist, whether you are liberal OR conservative.

 LIBERAL CYCLING CONFLICT
The fundamental difficulty non-cycling liberals have about bicycling is that while it is the mode of transportation that needs government intervention less than any other (besides walking), it also conflicts with the principle that government is a solution rather than merely a parasitic problem. As a result of the conflict, they fail to realize their well-intentioned efforts usually fail, while some of their crazy schemes go beyond failure and discourage cycling, or even maim and kill cyclists. One should be very careful about pointing this out, even to liberal cycling advocates (who are rarely ignorant of the problems). Instead, you can take advantage of this conflict to meaningfully communicate with non-cycling liberals about cycling without selling out. Just don’t get the notion that any of them will ever purchase carbon offsets from you when you ride your bike to work. I know this from first-hand experience. Non of my non-cycling liberal coworkers wanted to purchase carbon offsets from me, even to the extent that they all go to park one spot closer to the entry door since I didn't use up a parking spot and I arrived at work earlier than they did - resulting in less co-worker CO2 exhalation walking in from the car.

FEAR AND LOATHING
Liberals start out with a victim mentality. Rather than establishing facts, non-cycling liberals presume that cyclists are helpless to operate their bikes without special protection and intervention, and evil motorists (undoubtedly, fat cat bankers and the rich) are actually trying to kill cyclists. They forget our transportation system is dependent on trucks for delivery of goods (including goods for cyclists), and that private motor vehicles provide incomparable point-to-point transportation for moderate (between ten and two hundred miles) distances. Its why liberals like to drive their hybrid cars around, even while bemoaning the traffic. The cyclist as victim mentality leads them to meddle. Because few liberals really ride bikes themselves, they make things worse, arguing for things like door zone bike lanes, side paths that are crisscrossed by driveways, forgetting to get bike racks installed at destinations, and creating routes that randomly start and stop rather than integrating into any conceivably useful transportation element. Liberal politicians have it easier, since they simply pander to their constituents and bring the pork home. The liberal pols aren’t trying to actually HURT cyclists; they just mostly don’t know any better. The only politicians I have seen that looked comfortable on a bike on the road were Ron Paul (R), Betsy Price (R) and Wendy Davis (D). I'll note that Beto O'Rourke gets a pass here, as the only politician I know who had a parent killed while riding a bike, so he ought to know.

Liberal politicians compound things by making laws for cyclists to follow “for their protection.” Helmet laws, safe passing laws, and even mandatory side path laws (like Oregon) are all liberal artifacts that neglect a fundamental principle: “If you want to discourage an activity, regulate it more and claim it’s dangerous.” That summarizes the liberal approach to cycling. I'm not sure that's better than the "let's regulate people more" faction of the GOP that want to simply ban things they don't like, but it winds up having a similar effect of reducing cycling.

COMMON GROUND
Since you won’t get far by talking to non-cycling liberals about meat and potato things like educating cyclists or enforcing valid traffic laws, how DO you influence non-cycling liberals towards a more realistic view? LOOK FOR THE COMMON GROUND. While you won’t reform a non-cycling lefty by this tactic alone, you can plant some solid principles into their blathering nonsense about saving the planet with bikes.  The five principles below will get your pinko friends nodding in agreement, and maybe some will rub off on them. Small government cycling principles that even liberals can accept include:

• Worse than Benign Neglect – As a cyclist, you will no doubt know of many situations where government intervention has actively made things worse for cyclists. I am sad to report that even redneck poseurs have used the power of the state to make things worse for cyclists, but liberals are notorious for compounding rule upon rule until the poor cyclists have nothing left to do but throw their hands up. Helmet laws are one such example. I wore a helmet on my commute. If I lived in Seattle, I could not legally ride my bike without a helmet, though I could still ride as long as I wore a broken helmet backwards and unstrapped. Whether helmets are a good idea or not is not the issue here, but whether the case is clear and compelling enough (more important than things like health benefits of cycling to cite just one example) to use the power of the nanny state to mandate people wear one. If more ammo is needed, mention to your non-cycling liberal friend that helmet laws are mostly used by police to further stick it to people of color who happen to be riding a bike. If you really want to confuse things, suggest googling "Seattle Bike Helmet Law." This last item really merits another, futher post. Another example where liberal rules are worse than benign neglect are the periodic cases where you’ll get a liberal principal that bans bikes from his/her school “for the safety of the children.” When you cite these examples, MOST liberals will be nodding in agreement with you. If you need to, you can even cite cases of redneck crazies that want to use government to make cyclists stick to the sidewalk or simply restrict the right access to common public ways that has existed throughout the life of our republic. Such troglodytes are an embarrassment to the whole principle of a small, constitutional government. But that is yet another post entirely. Such scum should simply move somewhere like Russia, where they’ll be happy with authoritarian government.
• Spending on Needed Connections – Another area where you can get your non-cycling liberal friends nodding in agreement is pointing out simple and cheap bicycle and pedestrian connections that make it easier for people to get from place to place without motors. When we were growing up, good walk/bike connections were called “shortcuts.” Due to many years of misguided zoning laws and development that valued the appearance of pastoral purity more than the reality, there are now many places where it is difficult to get around OTHER than by car. While some bike projects are expensive (natural liberal darlings), these are vastly outnumbered by cases where a simple expedient of a bit of critical thought and consideration can improve life for us all. I’m sure you can come up with examples of your own. If you feel REAL DARING, you might mention, in passing, that hundreds of these connectivity improvements can be made for the price of a second-rate recreational multi-use path, or even a door zone bike lane. Shortcuts put real TEETH into the “one mile solution.” One thing you DON’T want to mention – putting AMTRAK out of its misery could fund all the quality bike projects (long and short ones alike) we might imagine and move many more people, while still saving money. Suggesting it’s time for AMTRAK to go will get you shunned - and not just by our current President. Unlike bikes, passenger rail has become entirely a creature of big government. It's sad because I really like trains, and they can make a great complement for a bike commute.
• Government Dictated Car Parking– A side effect of many years of liberal land use development rules and restrictions is the institutionalization of grossly inefficient land use (ironic, considering cities also invariably want higher density). Cities require lots of parking spaces nowadays, and only recently have these wise governmental bodies begun to consider bicycles. When your friend drives you to the mall in his/her Prius, you will have no trouble pointing out how simply and unobtrusively merchants COULD have accommodated bicycles instead of designing to discourage same to comply with government edicts. Your friend might not ever ride a bike, but will nod knowingly, and might begin to see parking in a less ignorant fashion from behind the windshield (trust me, even liberals don’t drive Yugos any more). In reality, bike parking is less a matter of government intervention than teaching people to see what is already available and how it can enhance their customer base. If you give businesses equal credit for bike spaces as for car spaces, you’ll see a lot more bike spaces.
• Discriminatory Laws and Police Teaching – Liberals will generally be receptive to the observation that there are many laws that actively discriminate against cyclists. I could do a whole post series on a small sampling of such. What’s more, while I hate to say it, most liberals will also be receptive to the concept that police are out to get cyclists. In reality, police (and even prosecutors) rarely actively persecute cyclists. Instead, bicycles are a minor element of law enforcement duties, most police drive lots of miles in cars, and cyclists are viewed as adults playing with toys; collectively, this leads to a general ignorance of bicycling law and safe cycling practice. NONE of the officers that testified against Reed Bates had any dedicated bicycle law training and none of them knew the principles of how to safely operate a bicycle in traffic.  You’ll get your liberal friend agreeing with you based on his/her prejudice against law enforcement, but you will not have to fudge the truth to obtain the agreement.
• Smart Cyclists SHOUT OUT – Most liberals will either give you a blank look or recoil in horror at the notion that cyclists should learn to operate bikes safely and within the law (the EDUCATION principle espoused by the Bike League). It simply won’t register that this might be more important than simply adding another door-zone bike lane. Liberals will, however, happily agree that cycling education should be more readily available to people, and that the government is not doing its part in this regard. It is simple truth that schools don’t teach kids safe cycling as a part of PE classes. What’s more, most any liberal will agree that educated cyclists will advocate better. The only thing you’ll need to be very careful of in this regard is in avoiding any suggestion that cyclists are generally anything other than innocent victims, that maybe many people on bikes need the education even more than the average motorist, or that butts on bikes might not be the best idea if those NEW butts are completely clueless. Most of all, you should avoid mentioning that smarter cyclists are much pickier about getting ONLY infrastructure that doesn’t put them in added danger. THAT, my friend, would be good for ALL cyclists.

IN CONCLUSION
It isn’t really hard to talk to a non-cycling liberal about bicycling. Most liberals tend to think of bicycling as a liberal activity, so that’ll work to your advantage, as long as you don’t try to claim cycling isn’t dangerous, or that you can go places even if nobody painted special segregated facilities on the road (sometimes it’s actually easier without that paint).

Enlightened or Retrograde?

Lots of Bikes for Rent at Yosemite National Park

Recently, we visited Yosemite National Park. Besides the always-wonderful scenery, I noticed bicycle and pedestrian approaches that were both enlightened and somewhat odd for non-motorized visitors.

First, I noticed that the loop road to see Half Dome was closed to motorists. In addition, there were LOTS of bicycles for rent. Even though this was October, there were lots of them getting rented.

Second, I was struck by a STOP sign on the path to the Visitor center. It seems odd, and a bit antiquated, to expect the vast majority of travelers to actually come to a full stop just in case the occasional bus might be coming by. In truth, nobody stopped at the sign. Of course, there wasn't any protected tour buses nearby. This is a case where a "Yield" sign might make sense, especially with an advisory sign underneath that notes "Tour Buses might be passing at any time."

How Many Pedestrians do YOU Know that Would Come to a Full Stop Here before Proceeding?

Flag Follies in Ocean Shores

We're Nearly as "Hip" as Seattle Here in Ocean Shores!

Apparently, one of the new trends in street crossings are flags. I’ve seen a few in Seattle popping up, and now we’ve got flags in Ocean Shores. They’re at the very same roundabout I’ve written about here and here.

Flags Piling Up

The idea of these flags is that pedestrians will take them and wave them in order to avoid getting run over by careless motorists. In that regard, they are a low cost alternative to various beg button systems and they’re probably effective for pedestrians, crossing from either the first or second photo. I’m not sure what a pedestrian is supposed to do when coming upon a sign (black letters on a white background being “regulatory”) like that in the third photo. Fortunately, most pedestrians (and motorists) are blissfully unaware of the yellow versus white background rules that cycling advocates blather about interminably.

The flags, however, are a bit problematic for cyclists. If you’ll recall from my FIRST OS roundabout post, their bike lane directs unaware cyclists to ride on the sidewalk (possibly illegally), where they’re then expected to cross across four lanes of roundabout traffic, back on to the sidewalk at LEAST once, before getting dumped back into another bike lane or onto a street without any guidance at all. Apparently, the traffic people did not realize this is FAR more dangerous than simply having cyclists operate as traffic through the roundabout since even a SLOW cyclist is going twice as fast as any pedestrian. I’m also not sure how they figured how a passing cyclist was supposed to grab a “take it to make it” flag as he/she passed by in a situation where he/she was at FAR greater risk than any pedestrian.

This was brought to the front of my mind yesterday as I saw a four seat, four wheel rental pedal car first go the wrong way down the street and then blissfully go through two successive crosswalks. If the peoples’ eyes driving the pedalcar were any guide, they didn’t look at either crosswalk. Can you say “accident waiting to happen?”

 Myself, I’ll continue to ignore the dimbulb attempts at directing me to do stupid things on my bike until/unless they come up with something that actually does anything more than check off some “complete streets” fantasy that comes from behind a windshield. In the defense of the traffic engineers, however, the flags probably DO help pedestrians better than doing nothing, though I’ve not heard of anybody actually getting hurt at the roundabout. Perhaps a couple of pedestrians got scared by tourists that did not understand how the roundabout works?

Lonely Flagless Stand With Sign Advising "Take it to Make It" - Is This a Serious Danger?

Bike Parking at DFW Airport

It is Illegal to Ride Your Bike DIRECTLY to the Terminal - UNLESS You are Strong and Very Fast! From Google Maps
It Doesn't Help that All Exits are Off the Left Side of the Road

Since airlines have us travelling lighter recently by means of charging us to bring along "excess" luggage, bicycles and/or transit have become a possibility for those of us that travel by air. The TRE commuter rail comes fairly close to the airport from those living in either Fort Worth or Dallas. Just make sure you don't travel on a Sunday since the TRE takes Sundays off. If you are coming from Dallas and points east, there IS a DART bus (Route 408) that runs to the Remote South parking lot. Soon, there'll be light rail that you MAY be able to bring your bike on. We'll know after it starts up - partly it'll depend on where you get dropped off and what security decides.



TRE Centreport Has a Shuttle to Remote South. Remote South is as Close to the Terminal as You Can Get With a Bike

What's more, despite complete ignoring of bikes by DFW Airport and places that COULD provide low cost, secure bike parking, people DO ride their bikes to the airport. I suspect these are mostly people that work at the airport, though some of the bikes are a lot nicer than I'd want to leave at an airport remote lot. Definitely Remote South is where most cyclists park. They park at the "official parking lot fence for bikes since we don't really think about people that come here by bike" place.

Bicycle Parking Facilities at DFW Airport - Remote South
You'll Note the Motorcycle Parks Inside the Fence With the Other Motorists

Remote South Bike Parking Looking North Toward the Airport

What would I recommend for LONG TERM bike parking? Well, if I had to do it, I'd park at Bell Helicopter (a known, fairly secure place for bikes to park) or at another secure location within walking distance of the TRE (either Hurst Station or Centreport). Then I'd take the TRE and the shuttle in to the terminal. If I were just going for the day, I'd lock up at Remote South and take that shuttle in. Neither DART option would help me at all since DART only works for those coming from Dallas County, "Where the East Begins!"

If I were going to do it more frequently, I'd see if I couldn't cut a deal with one of the nearby hotels. Keep in mind that it only costs $25 for me to get from home to the DFW Airport by taxi.
 

BIG Babble

Building Our Way to North Texas Infrastructure Bliss? The Highway 121/114
Multi-Billion Dollar Construction Zone at the Time of "Peak Oil"

Not Bill's Tricross, But WITH it in Spirit

Sometimes, real life intersects all this blogging stuff. Last night, some of us around DFW that have loosely associated with the Google Group "Cyclebabble" got to meet a "fellow traveller." Specifically, we got to meet Bill "Big Oak." Bill is based in Indiana. Yes, that's the very same Indiana where Breaking Away was set, though Bill is fortunate enough to have chosen a Specialized Tricross for commuting rather than a Masi. Living in Indiana instead of North Texas is a mixed situation for Bill. He gets a little extra snow (like at left), but misses out on the blistering North Texas summers.

 

Anyway, here's how things unfolded. In an unusual move for myself, I carpooled with Chandra "Chandra." This prompted a note to myself about a couple of future posts. First, a while back, I started another myth series post about the folly about trying to build ourselves to paradise via infrastructure. One clue to its direction is the photo at the top of this post. A second is about the pleasant aspects of rising gas prices. That clue is ALSO in the same photo. Conveniently, I had time to ride home from work and then pick  up "Piglet" from my indulgent wife for the ongoing carpool trip to the rendezvous.

 

Before too awfully long, I arrived at Chandra "Chandra's" place of employment. One look at the car fortress in the next photo illustrates why Chandra has that plant that is gradually taking over his work space. I didn't actually get to see where his bike parks. It seemed like a quest best left for another day.

 

The "Car Fort" Where Chandra Works

When Chandra and I linked up, we headed out from there to Tarrant County. While I actually LIVE in the portion of Tarrant County that we were headed to, I must confess that the freeways in between Chandra's place of employment and there are somewhat of a mystery to me. As a result, we were soon lost in automotive infrastructure and were somewhere down by Cowboy Stadium. We were, in a word, LOST.

After somewhat added delay, we got to the restaurant where we had agreed to meet. It was really WORTH the toil and trouble. One shock to me was that somehow I'd never figured out the basis for "Big Oak's" nickname. All those giant bike frames in his blog went right past me. I hope this provides some insight as to how I consistently FAIL to be able to get license plate numbers of motoring scofflaws.

Anyway, besides Chandra and myself, Paul "Doohickie" and Chris "Pondero" attended, as well as Myles "Rattrap Press" and his wife. Watch their blogs for more on this event. Maybe even Myles. As I noted to him, despite his claimed final ever post, even Sean Connery did another James Bond movie: "Never Say Never Again." We can always hope...

Chris "Pondero" and Chandra "Chandra" Beam for the Camera

Oh, almost forgot. Yes, "Big Oak" and his wonderful wife were both there. They are a lucky couple, at least in IMO. As is my typical "Modus Operandi," I dispensed some completely useless bicycle advice to her.

Bill "Big Oak" and "Mrs Big Oak" in Hurst, Texas. Myles "Rat Trap Press and "Mrs Myles Rat Trap Press" in Foreground

During the night, it did not pass without the remark occurring that someone was missing. THAT person is show below, from a previous "Cyclebabble" gathering. So he can understand, turn on the Google translator and convert all this babble into French.

Paul "Doohickie," With "Mrs Big Oak" and Chris "Pondero" in the Background.
In the Interests of Full Disclosure, This Photo was Edited to Remove "Devil Eyes" from Doohickie
Conspiracy Types Might Wonder What Connection He Has to the End of the World in 2012...

The ENTIRE Group, Well Except for Yours Truly and "The Missing Man"
Note the BASIS for the "Big Oak" Nickname!

Anyway, like at one previous event, in the interest of completeness, I include Doohickie, modelling "the missing man."

Doohickie, in HONOR of "The Missing Man"

Earth Day in North Texas

Earth Day this year was a bit different in the past. To start with, because it corresponded with Good Friday, I got the day off. To continue, because of our nasty weather last February, the local schools were in session. With "Bike to Work Month" coming up, I decided to dust off the bike and take a little trip around the area and report on various observations. After all, I've not ridden it for a whole day (yes, this is all sarcasm)
 

Nowadays, Schools are Traffic Obstacles

 First off, I was reminded once again of the difference in motor traffic around schools now compared to the first Earth Day. This first photo shows the traffic light leading to Trinity High School in Euless, Texas. Actually, the photo shows the SECOND light cycle as I went forward along with all the motoring dropoff traffic. After the intersection, there were lots of motoring students and motoring moms zipping about. It being Earth Day, none of them were inclined towards hostile acts against any non-motor traffic. Actually, I don't think any of them were probably thinking about "green" at the time. They just wanted to get to school. It's a far cry from the motoring to school situation on the first Earth Day.

After I got past all the motorists at Trinity, I noticed that gasoline has risen a bit in price lately. It seems that things will soon get above $4 per gallon even in an oil state such as Texas. While some might cheer this situation, I forseen yet another rise in price in bicycle tubes and in the food goods that feed cyclists. In truth, while hard-core motorists may suffer more than me, no one benefits from having to work longer to transport things. Well, except for those that pump the oil from the ground.

Gasoline Prices are RISING. The Bird, on the Other Hand, is Taking a Rest

Anyway, one of the things that prompted me to rise and ride on a holiday was a coffee chain promotion that promised a free coffee if you brought a travel mug. While most might not have appreciated it, I found it a bit ironic that this corporation encouraged people to DRIVE to a coffee store and idle their motor vehicles in line in order to feel good about not using an easily recycled paper cup. Still, their heart is in the right place, though it'd be righter if they had real bike parking.


Motorists Abounded for the Coffee Earth Day Promotion

 

Travel Mug Got You a Free Coffee Even if You Were the Only Non Motoring Customer. Yay!

Regardless, I went with the drill and brought my own travel mug out from the cupboard. When this store didn't have the bold coffee I prefer, I went with the corporate motto and stated "Pike is better than nothing!"

What can I say, I'm a sucker for free coffee. What's more, I couldn't resist the opportunity to show how a Starbucks travel mug works with a Specialized water bottle holder. Actually, I'll use ANY excuse to slip a photo of Buddy into a post. For those interested in recent history trivia, you'll note that my bike doughnuts have not been tweaked as of this date...

While I was imbibing the brew, one of the motorists, waiting in the drive-through lane, ran over the bottle below and shot it toward my feet. Being a good "green" guy, I relocated the bottle to the nearest waste receptacle. I noticed that it contained 14 carbs in one serving when full so it wasn't anything I would have drunk in any event.



The Bottle was Shot Towards Me Inadvertently When a Motorist in the Drive Through Line Ran it Over

Soon, it came time to turn homeward. I noted the added irony that even in what would be rural scenes, our mechanized modern life intrudes. The horses don't mind, so I guess it shouldn't cause me to pause, either.
 

Suburban Scene - Horses and Travel Trailers

Proceeding along, I was reminded that Oncor has committed to add more trails under transmission rights of way, as noted in THIS press release. While I don't know what it actually means, nor whether the trails might be properly engineered (unlike the Bedford trail in the photo), my inclination is that more choices are good and that I have the knowledge to recognize and avoid the dangers in such facilities should they be of use to me.


The Oncor Power Company Has Committed to Build More Trails Such as This. If They Read My Blog, Those Trails Would be Safer

Oh, almost forgot, I also used the morning to better road test some ex-Chandra sandals. They're a bit tight (he wears a half size smaller than my norm), but might actually work if I left the socks at home.


Oh, Yes, Sandals Seemed to be Something to Try Today as Well



Invisible Commute

I’ve shown many of the elements of my commute in this blog, most often to illustrate a situation or condition any commuter may encounter. This post fills in some of the blanks and shows the invisible commute - the commute I never show.

Heritage Parkway, Southern Entrance to Fort Worth Alliance Airport. Almost to Work!

 First off, close to my office, at Alliance Airport, we’re treated to Heritage Parkway, a 45mph four-lane road with a median. Traffic is light on this road, because it was overdesigned based on the final “build out” occupancy at the airport. This road is identified as needing bike lanes in the Fort Worth Bike Plan, though I can’t imagine why they would bother, or who the bike lanes would help. One unique aspect to Heritage is that a high proportion of the motorists actually KNOW me, and I occasionally get reviews from my motoring friends and employees. The consensus is that I’d be very hard to hit by accident.

Another feature of my commute is Timber Creek High School. Under construction when my commute began, it opened in fall 2009. It’s just down the block from where Holly the Crossing Guard kept the elementary school kids in line and crossing properly. Fort Worth also wants to put bike lanes on this street, most of which is a school zone already.

Timber Creek High School, Fort Worth - in the Keller School District

There are also a couple of swimming pools along the way. THIS ONE, has refrigerated drinking water. Conveniently, it is about 1/3 of the way home from work. I’ve never availed myself of the water there, but it’s nice to know it is there. There’s also a water fountain about 2/3 of the way home, across the street from a Wal-Mart. Hmm, come to think of it, Fort Worth wants to put bike lanes on the street I took this shot from as well, but, again, I can’t imagine why. Cyclists, or even pedestrians, are rare in this area because of poor subdivision design choices. Even when the pool is busy, the neighborhood residents usually drive to the pool.

Neighborhood Swimming - and a Water Fountain

Most People Drive to the Neighborhood Pool

Some of the route is through older neighborhoods that use a grid street system. A grid system in a flat area such as DFW gives lots of choices for a commute cyclist. The route through the grid that I use minimizes stop sign encounters and is very direct. Traffic is minimal.

Grid Systems Predominate in Older Neighborhoods such as this one in Keller

I mentioned a secret neighborhood trail I use here. THIS is what it looks like. Not being on maps, not recognized by Google Bikes, nor part of the Keller Trail plan, it represents, for me, a traffic-free shortcut that has good shade and shelter from the wind. As you can see, it doubles to supplement storm drainage during heavy rain.



This Trail Works Well for a Shortcut in Keller



There are also subdivisions along my route. Some of them are finished, and some, closer to work, are still being developed. Traffic is uniformly light and new subdivisions have enough garage space that people rarely park on the streets. Dealing with parked cars is not much of an issue on my commute. In these new subdivisions, the biggest traffic problem is an unwarranted fascination with putting stop signs all over.

Cows Graze in a Future Site of McMansions in Colleyville

Jaguar Mark 10 in a New Subdivision

Perhaps surprisingly, I cross a major trail; the Cottonbelt Trail. It is notable mainly because I worry about getting hit by a cyclist running the stop sign (you know, it is no secret that most of those annoying cyclists DO run stop signs on trails). It runs perpendicular to where I’m usually going. It is a very nice trail for recreational use, and I’ve ridden on it for that purpose twice. I actually tried to make a video while riding the trail, but my amusing sound narration did not come out. My post on Webb house, here, was just south of the trail, but I forgot to mention it in that post. I also forgot to mention it in my post on Lady Bird's Legacy, though it was only about 20 feet north of that spot.



Cottonbelt Trail in Colleyville. Has Anyone Ever Been Ticketed for Exceeding That Speed Limit?





Barn off of Oak Knoll in Colleyville



East-West streets near home are not well configured. Traffic on Glade and Cheek Sparger is heavy both ways in the afternoon, and illegally passing a cyclist can be difficult. Further east, Glade becomes my Nemesis Road due to brain-damaged, auto-centric traffic engineering. Fortunately, Oak Knoll makes a very pleasant alternate for the days I stop at Starbucks on the way home, and Hall Johnson also makes a good cycling route. Hall Johnson is another four-lane road, posted at 30mph, though most motorists drive it at 40. At either speed, cyclists are easy to see and even easier to pass. It’s the street I was on in the post reported here. Actually, right about where the photo was shot from. Cheek Sparger eastbound traffic in the morning is very light, and I invariably ride it to work except when it was under construction this summer.



Cheek Sparger Road in Colleyville

Hall Johnson Road in Colleyville

There are a couple of businesses that are handy for commute cyclists that I have discovered along my route. About halfway home is a bicycle shop in Keller called Bicycles Inc. Bicycles Inc is a general shop that I have used on occasion to replace components that failed en route, or to pick up small items. Bicycles Inc. also has a store in Hurst that I go to that is much closer to my house, and whose sales people and mechanics strike me as more knowledgeable. Also on the route home is a sport store called “Lukes Locker.” Lukes caters to runners, but it also happens to carry electrolyte replacement pills that Apertome mentioned, and which seem to work well for me. The shot of Lukes was taken directly from my main commute route, so you can see it doesn’t represent much of a detour. Similarly, “Knobbies and Slicks,” reported here, is within sight of my commute route. Knobbies is a bike shop. I’m not sure they’d represent a good place to stop for spares, but they sure do have some slick bicycles, as well as a spinning studio.

Lukes Locker Carries Electrolyte Pills. Great for Hydration in Summer



Another Store I Regularly Stop at on the way Home with Gratuitous Bike Shot



Fort Worth is Kind to Cyclists!

Old Denton Road, Newly Widened to Two-Lane Width! Looking North

In my "Lane Position Gone Wild" post, I bemoaned the deterioration of Old Denton Road in Fort Worth from a 45MPH Speed Limit two lane road to a 45MPH Speed Limit 1 1/2 lane road. Well, the powers that be in Fort Worth must be reading my blog, because while I was on vacation and then in the hospital, they improved the pavement! While I would not go so far as to claim it has become SMOOTH pavement, it has at least become pavement wide enough that the natural motoring lane position no longer proceeds directly down the center of the road. As a result, the motorists have returned to their natural inclination to simply give me LOTS OF ROOM when they pass. Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thank the city fathers. My BIKE thanks the city fathers. My motoring companions thank the city fathers. This is about the second best solution I could have imagined. The only one better would have been for them to simply leave the road untouched and instead build the bike path along the creek that is in the Fort Worth Bike Plan. Then I'd have had a smooth road all to myself (it'd be a short cut as well) since cyclists are rare in the area. It'd also be a bit shorter. I guess they're not in a rush to implement that new plan. Still, thanks to Fort Worth, my stress level has dropped considerably on this stretch of road and my tire choices have been validated.


Old Denton Road, Where the New Blacktop Meets the Concrete. Close to the Summit of "Old Denton Pass." Looking South

Come to think of it, it gives the term FALL COLOR CHANGE a whole new meaning!


Looking North Before the New Blacktop

 

Separately Second Rate

Linear Park Multi-Use Path. A Great Concept and a Useful Shortcut for Some Trips. Execution Could be Better

I like the idea of bike infrastructure. Few would argue with the notion that bike racks are a good idea that helps cyclists, without much down side. Similarly, well designed bike lanes and paths can help cyclists, and most people would also support such things, particularly if they don’t cause congestion problems with motorized traffic. The TROUBLE is that “well designed” is a rare exception, at least around North Texas. From what I’ve seen other places, North Texas is typical in this regard.

As an example, I’ll discuss one path near my home. I often ride on this path, despite its problems. As you will see, the TROUBLE is that it COULD have been much better at no added expense, but the design and engineering were not taken seriously, as they are on road construction.

B****** Trails – The Good
The city installed this “Multi-Use Path” (MUP) underneath power lines, and it runs roughly east-west. It is fairly popular when the weather is nice, with quite a few people on bikes and people out walking or jogging. Because the power lines reduce street connections, it is actually more convenient for some bike connections than using the road. Without the city’s initiative, the land would otherwise be largely unused, as many other power line corridors are. In that sense, this trail bears some special attention. I know there are similar power line areas along my commute that were ignored by the Fort Worth bike plan.

However, despite this, the MUP is far from perfect. Due to poor engineering and maintenance, it presents a number of traps for the unwary who are its main target users – casual recreational users. What is doubly unfortunate is that this trail is no worse than most I have seen, and is better than many. It seems to me that to build such facilities without due care and consideration for the safety of the public is poor use of tax money, when much better could have been constructed for less money.

Needlessly Poor Road Sightlines on the Path

B****** Trails Problem 1 – Dangerous Corners
These trails wander back and forth in an “artsy fartsy” pattern that is a signature of facilities designed by Parks and Recreation types rather than proper engineers. While I have nothing in particular against wavy paths, when they wave right next to a fence at intersections, needlessly creating blind corners, I think the waves have gone too far. Don’t designers realize that blind corners are not good? Having seen a lot of inexperienced “weekend” people on bikes, most of them do not realize their danger and the only reason why few are hit is because traffic on the residential street is very light. This condition exists at several other streets as well. A BETTER design solution would have been to maximize visibility where the trail intersects the street. Added cost for the mitigation – zero. As it is, the only thing a rider can do is to be careful, and to pray for the users who don’t realize their risk.

Blind Corner with NO Advisory Sign

B****** Trails Problem 2 – Missing Signs
This signpost indicates that the designers vaguely knew not was all well in paradise. At one time, I suspect it held a stop sign. I really don’t know, because there has never been a sign on this pole in the three years I have been paying attention. Essentially, we’ve got a blind corner without any intersection control or advisory. There are no warning signs on either. A BETTER solution would have been advisory signs at the uncontrolled intersection. As it is, it’s an uncontrolled intersection with NO advisory.

Wooden Bridges Get REALLY Slippery When Wet. I Know, I've Fallen on Them, Though Not This Particular One

B****** Trails Problem 3 – Dangerous Bridges
Wooden bridge decks compound the list of problems with this trail. Wooden decks may appear rustic, and they work pretty well when they are new and conditions are dry, but after a few years, and when it gets wet. Well, let’s just say that the casual user isn’t likely to fall in the wet because most of them stay home on such days. A BETTER solution would have been to choose something nonslip.

I've Fallen at this Spot Once. I Almost Fell a Second Time

B****** Trails Problem 4 – Slippery When Wet
The wooden bridge decks are not the only fall danger in the wet. As a matter of fact, they are not the WORST fall danger in the wet. The ramps where the path crosses the streets are, in some cases, painted with a paint that gives a good imitation of ice when it gets wet. I got dumped by one of these on my old commute. Nowadays, if it is wet, I take another route because, after nearly falling a second time, I concluded that even extreme caution may not be enough to keep the rubber side down. A BETTER solution would have been to leave the ramp unpainted.

So, Do They Arrest Cyclists Using this Path for Disobeying This Sign?

B****** Trails Problem 5 – Second Rate
Two final features illustrate the second rate nature of the trail. The first is the lack of attention in the signs saying “no vehicles or horses allowed.” So, am I allowed on this trail with my bike or not? Much better would have been “no horses or MOTOR vehicles.” Most cities in the area do not make this careless mistake. It may be a little thing, but it illustrates the mindset that this facility is not serious, and so they didn’t bother to get it right. The second feature is the treatment of residential streets that the trail intersects. Looking at the remaining signage, the design was to ALWAYS put a stop sign on the trail, even though the trail gets far more users than some of these streets. Second rate. Perhaps that is why most of the stop signs have disappeared from the trail. The fact that the city hasn’t bothered to ever replace one, as far as I can tell, further illustrates the “second rate.” It's not necessary to keep up a play trail. And THAT has always been the problem with “separate but equal.” A BETTER solution would have been to treat the design seriously.

Wrap-up
So, why DO I ride something I consider a needlessly second rate facility? Well, I think there’s a psychological stress reduction in riding most pathways (even ones that are second rate) compared to a road. I think it is somewhat akin to the feeling one gets driving the North Cascades Highway in Washington State compared to I-90. Objectively, I-90 is safer, and it is certainly quicker, but the drive is much less pleasant. It’s also noticeably cooler to ride the trail than on the hot road pavement, which is a real bonus this time of year. Still, if cities REALLY want to get butts on bikes, they'll get some people involved who know what they're doing and pay some attention so those new butts don't get hurt.

Traffic Engineering Paradox

Basel Bike Facility Violates No Real Traffic Principles at this Turn Onto a One-Way Street

Some of the Signals Seem a Little Conflicted, However. I'll Bet Bike-on-Bike Collisions are Frequent

Europe is a mixed bag when it comes to cyclists. There are certainly a lot of bikes in the compact, congested cities. There are lots of special cycling facilities, ranging from pretty nice, to conflicted, to downright confusing things worthy of Warrington.

One of our building’s bike commuters, Sheila, just got back from visiting Europe, and she was kind enough to get a lot of cycling-related pictures. Today’s photos were shot in Zurich and Basel. As Sheila notes, it all seems to work, though a bicycle traffic engineer would recoil in horror.

This Poor Zurich Design Works Well Because Everyone Is Cautious Due to the Confusing Alignments

MOST of the Cyclists Ride Pretty Slow, Making it Easier for the Motorists to Miss Them

The variety of approaches reveals the paradox. Sometimes, dangerous facilities are safer, and safer ones are more dangerous. As a case in point, take Orlando, Florida. As noted in “Traffic” by Tom Vanderbilt, East Colonial Drive consists of two portions. One is the older portion. It has traffic conflicts galore. Poles, driveways, strip malls, the works. The other is the newer, “properly engineered” portion that removed the dangers in the older portion. Guess which one has overwhelmingly higher crashes and fatalities? Yup, the “safe” portion is one of the most dangerous roads in the US. Which one would I prefer to ride on? Yup, the “dangerous” portion would be my choice. Which one do people drive faster? You got it, the “safe” portion approaches Interstate speeds. Let’s just hope they don’t “fix” the “dangerous” part of the road.

I have no idea WHAT all this Nonsense is About - I Think This is Zurich

From Tom Vanderbilt’s book (Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do - and What It Says about Us), read about the Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde personality of Orlando’s East Colonial Drive for yourself: here.

And so it is with bike facilities. With traffic congestion, lots of cyclists, and strict treatment of any motorist hitting one, the perceived danger in Zurich and Basel causes motorists to drive cautiously, and sometimes more around the worst facilities. It is one element that makes proper lane control of a narrow lane so safe, despite “feeling” suicidal –the motorist knows that bad things WILL happen without a proper lane change, and so they change lanes, mostly without even realizing it. As I said, it’s a paradox. Even small changes in the environment will cause motorist behavior changes, such as the addition of a sound barrier wall on a freeway, tunnels, or narrower lanes; which all cause motorists to slow down. The same principle achieves dramatic crash reductions in the “Shared Space” approach. Motorists actually HAVE to pay attention.
 
While I don’t advocate designing dangerous facilities to make users cautious, we should recognize that dangerous facilities are mostly dangerous to and from those too inexperienced, or clueless, to recognize them AS dangerous. The rest of us adjust our behavior to bring the risk back down. John Forester noted the necessary adjustment (either ride slowly and cautiously or take the longer street route and ride faster) when he considered Seattle’s Burke Gilman trail. As a cyclist, riding from point to point, my focus is with dealing with whatever facilities I encounter, as safely as I know how. My route selection is a balance that avoids danger while taking a direct route. As always, the winning combination includes experience, education, AND vigilance against complacency. Much as I hate to admit it, engineering has its limits.