tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36545140.post1310746157145306024..comments2023-07-20T09:52:28.667-05:00Comments on BIKE LIBRARY: Sharrows & Bike Lanes in ICIowa City Bike Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12567022542757353684noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36545140.post-843671207820359932009-07-12T05:13:35.336-05:002009-07-12T05:13:35.336-05:00The four points that the County came up with to ju...The four points that the County came up with to justify these marks are so ridicilous, that I get the impression that they had some leftover paint and made some marks on portions of the streets least used by motor vehicles, trying to get bicycles out of the way. This is an ill-advised attempt to appear bicycle-friendly, without making any real improvements. These marks are not an improvement at all. They are a safety hazard. I ride the streets of this town every day and I advise everyone who may be new to this practice to completely ignore these marks. On Jefferson and Market, which are two lane streets, ride the right lane such that motor vehicles cannot pass you without moving to the left lane. On College, which is a one-lane street, ride the right side of the right lane maintaining enough of a distance from parked cars so you wouldn't be hit, if someone were to open a door. Don't get any closer to the curb, if there is a portion where there are no parked cars, but maintain the same relative position. If a bus stops in front of you, stop behind it and wait until it moves, then move with it. What's the big deal? There is always trash, debris, manhole covers, storm sewer inlets and whatnot close to the curb on either side, as well as ice, snow, puddles, leaves, branches, sand, etc. The only regularly maintained part of the street is the part that cars use, so make sure to use that part as well. Drivers pay attention to those parts of the streets used by other drivers, so if you ride there, you are very likely to be seen. A motorist is much more likely to drive into you from the side, because he doesn't see you, than he is to hit you deliberately from behind. If you are inbetween cars, you will be safe, because the one in front of you will see you in his rearview mirror and the one behind you will see you directly. Only make sure that you have good lights and reflectors at night and wear brightly colored clothes.<br /><br />One thing the City has accomplished with these marks is to validate the notion of some motorists that bicycles do not belong on the streets unless there is a portion thereof specifically assigned to them, which is the exact opposite of what the City needs to do. The City needs to get out the message that the streets, as they are, are legally open to bicycles and that bicyclists have the right to use them to travel at speeds appropriate for their vehicles and without apologies.<br /><br />Finally, I would love to see Ms Bailey to try and make a right turn on her bicycle onto, say van Buren, cutting through two lanes of motor traffic racing down Jefferson.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com