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reorg

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32. I know a similar lane

Wed Oct 23, 2013, 07:09 PM

Oct 2013

and, having experienced quite uncomfortable situations there riding my bike, I have very little sympathy for your standpoint.

Here it is in Google street view:

http://goo.gl/maps/4gzQZ

In theory, bikers could use the pedestrian way to the right, or the designated bike lane (after the blue sign), but both of these are in very bad condition. I have a racing bike and prefer to avoid bad pavements and potholes. Therefore I usually stay on the road, despite the oncoming traffic and even though car drivers tend to speed here. I can see why they would feel impeded by bikers like me even if I am going 30-40 mph myself. But if they start honking they get the appropriate reaction. At one time, I hardly escaped a violent fight with two BMW drivers ready to beat me up with their baseball bats, no joke.

As you can see from the triangular sign warning of bikes, I am not the only one. Time to widen the road a bit, I'd say, or at least improve the pedestrian way and bike lane.

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I have a question for bicyclist about something I've been experiencing [View all] penultimate Oct 2013 OP

If I were the biker..... Smarmie Doofus Oct 2013 #1

Yes, this is the simple, safe, and courteous approach. (nt) enough Oct 2013 #6

Anyone going slower than the speed limit leftyladyfrommo Oct 2013 #148

I suppose it's possible the person is handicapped in some way. penultimate Oct 2013 #153

Beep at him and say "the speed limit is 45". He just may be an asshole. JaneyVee Oct 2013 #2

No one is REQUIRED to travel the speed limit, you doofus. It's the UPPER limit. kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #12

You do know that there is a minimum limit to travel on streets with no bike lane. JaneyVee Oct 2013 #15

In what city? You DO know that each state and city makes its own traffic rules, right? kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #22

No. You can be ticketed for going too slow in CA. - V C Section 22400 Minimum Speed Law cui bono Oct 2013 #88

That is for Vehicles mockmonkey Oct 2013 #113

Well, not necessarily. Bicyclists are supposed to obey traffic laws. cui bono Oct 2013 #119

You are calling someone else a "doofus"? former9thward Oct 2013 #16

Yes, but no one can reasonably expect a bicycle to travel 35 mph (our typical kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #24

One can reasonably pull over for a few moments to let someone go by. former9thward Oct 2013 #25

Not if they have the other lane. There is no need. They can get over their lazy kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #28

Shout all you want. former9thward Oct 2013 #29

Post removed Post removed Oct 2013 #30

I have never seen a bicyclist follow the law. former9thward Oct 2013 #31

Many ride on the wrong side of the road here. lonestarnot Oct 2013 #48

I obey signs and lights, but will ocassionally ride on the sidewalk, because some of the motorists Incitatus Oct 2013 #50

Then you haven't seen this bicyclist, Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #63

I haven't ridden in a while, myself, kentauros Oct 2013 #71

On my road bike - Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #76

I didn't know recumbents were more difficult to start from a stop. kentauros Oct 2013 #79

It depends on whehter the recumbent is a bike or a trike Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #84

"Volunteer credit" - another great idea! kentauros Oct 2013 #94

For that - Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #111

That's cool :) kentauros Oct 2013 #112

I put electric assist on my bent Fumesucker Oct 2013 #138

People only talk about me because I'm riding one of these: Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #143

Every motorist I see follows every law Kennah Oct 2013 #86

I've seen a few hit-and-run incidents jberryhill Oct 2013 #103

There is a group of extremely rude JanMichael Oct 2013 #146

So on my 1.5 hour commute home, Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #61

That is not what was described in the OP. former9thward Oct 2013 #114

It actually may well be the situation. Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #116

Wonderfully said, Ms. Toad. JackRiddler Oct 2013 #123

Yes, sounds like an asshole. Incitatus Oct 2013 #47

"...but the speed limit is 45." aristocles Oct 2013 #3

However, most municipalities I've ever seen dictate that the minimum legal speed kentauros Oct 2013 #11

Citation, please. Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #66

I must be thiking of freeways, then. kentauros Oct 2013 #68

It's going to vary quite a bit from state to state Kennah Oct 2013 #93

Texas still has a long ways to go in enabling cyclists. kentauros Oct 2013 #95

My favorite is the low-hanging branches in bike lanes! pink-o Oct 2013 #145

Under the heading "More General Tips" on this site kentauros Oct 2013 #4

What do you think of a cyclist on a busy street Jenoch Oct 2013 #23

I would want them on the hike & bike path, too. kentauros Oct 2013 #40

Of course I give the cyclist a wide Jenoch Oct 2013 #41

I'm often baffled as to why some joggers won't do the same, kentauros Oct 2013 #42

See my note here: Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #72

It depends on the circumstances. Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #70

I had to look up "towpath" :) kentauros Oct 2013 #77

The towpath is quite a resource - Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #80

I can't help myself sometimes; I get ideas that seem good, kentauros Oct 2013 #83

At least 3 of the police departments have police on bikes Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #85

Well, thanks for being a volunteer and helping people! kentauros Oct 2013 #96

A paved bike path 5 yards away and adjacent to the road? Sounds like a unicorn to me. Kennah Oct 2013 #97

Unicorns are a common sight in Minnesota. Jenoch Oct 2013 #106

Your assumption: cars are real traffic... JackRiddler Oct 2013 #49

I neither said nor assumed that cars are the ONLY legitimate traffic on the roads. kentauros Oct 2013 #53

Not everything you assume... JackRiddler Oct 2013 #59

Now I understand. kentauros Oct 2013 #67

If you're into name-calling, you're... JackRiddler Oct 2013 #120

I believe there are better resources Kennah Oct 2013 #98

yes. he's being an asshole. when I lived in Portland, 95% of bicyclists--no problem Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #5

"I'd find another more appropriate road to bike on." kentauros Oct 2013 #6

Yeah, like in that alternate reality... JackRiddler Oct 2013 #51

Are you TRYING to get yourself on my ignore list? kentauros Oct 2013 #55

Does this mean I'd still have to see your posts? JackRiddler Oct 2013 #60

Sometimes there are road bottlenecks Art_from_Ark Oct 2013 #74

Well no kidding. And sometimes there are CITIES. JackRiddler Oct 2013 #117

I hate congestion Art_from_Ark Oct 2013 #130

It takes two to "share". leeroysphitz Oct 2013 #8

He's being an asshole, but odds are he's not acting illegally, depending on the jurisdiction. DisgustipatedinCA Oct 2013 #9

Many years ago... sarisataka Oct 2013 #10

the bicyclist may not have a choice hfojvt Oct 2013 #13

A lot bikers in New Haven, CT bigwillq Oct 2013 #14

Nevermind. Iggo Oct 2013 #17

Maybe he's waiting for a bike lane Shankapotomus Oct 2013 #18

He's being a jerk Prism Oct 2013 #19

Yeah, that's the ticket. Get the coppers to taze him. JackRiddler Oct 2013 #52

I'm a cyclist Prism Oct 2013 #73

If the road is busy enough that the driver can't pass a bike going 15 mph Fumesucker Oct 2013 #108

Thanks, but again, based on this thread... JackRiddler Oct 2013 #118

Thank you for pointing out the obvious. alphafemale Oct 2013 #160

If traffic is so heavy you don't have time to pass.... alphafemale Oct 2013 #20

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2013 #21

I think you get a new job and different shift so you are not on the road at the same time. CK_John Oct 2013 #26

best answer thus far frylock Oct 2013 #34

Heh... That actually will be happening starting next week anyway... penultimate Oct 2013 #155

15 MPH is ridiculous. He's either very old, handicapped, tired or has one shitty bike. BlueJazz Oct 2013 #27

For two and a half miles? Of course you can, Mo muriel_volestrangler Oct 2013 #33

I didn't say everybody can. ""We can all do that" I said I can. BlueJazz Oct 2013 #36

As I said, 'Mo'. muriel_volestrangler Oct 2013 #37

This message was self-deleted by its author BlueJazz Oct 2013 #38

Nope, 15 mph is about average speed for group rides of non racers Fumesucker Oct 2013 #35

I biked over a thousand miles in a year to get my average from 15 to 17 taught_me_patience Oct 2013 #44

I can ride at 24 for 3 miles without a whole lot of trouble but don't like doing it. BlueJazz Oct 2013 #54

Yup - the difference between riding 15 and 17 mph on a bike is pretty large bhikkhu Oct 2013 #65

I still do not want the guy to do it. He doesn't deserve to die and die he probably will if... BlueJazz Oct 2013 #78

It took me a while commuting by bike to find a good route bhikkhu Oct 2013 #81

Ditto - as to the round-about. Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #89

15mph is a 4-minute mile Art_from_Ark Oct 2013 #137

I know a similar lane reorg Oct 2013 #32

if the road has no shoulder in it is too narrow Niceguy1 Oct 2013 #39

That makes sense penultimate Oct 2013 #156

but for whatever reason drivers hate Niceguy1 Oct 2013 #159

I, myself, don't hate bicyclist at all. penultimate Oct 2013 #162

Evidently there is no other feasible path since you haven't taken it Fumesucker Oct 2013 #167

I have taken the route through the neighborhoods before to avoid traffic, but I've always been under penultimate Oct 2013 #170

I trained Tour de France rider only gets up to 24 mph in a time trail with a bike bluestate10 Oct 2013 #43

You really think reason is going to work... JackRiddler Oct 2013 #56

Motorists Front of Judea Kennah Oct 2013 #100

Good advice! kentauros Oct 2013 #58

I did a typo. I meant "A trained Tour de France rider". The Pyrenees and Alps scare me, I wouldn't bluestate10 Oct 2013 #132

Then stay away from the Congress Street Bridge in Austin kentauros Oct 2013 #134

So he must stop and pull over for every car on this entire stretch of road? DireStrike Oct 2013 #45

Check your math! nt Logical Oct 2013 #46

The world exists to convenience drivers. JackRiddler Oct 2013 #121

Hear, hear! DireStrike Oct 2013 #125

The world exists to convenience drivers--as it should. Ace Acme Nov 2013 #179

If it was me, I'd take another road. penultimate Oct 2013 #157

I'd advice the cyclist to not pick fights with 3000 pound objects on the road Lifelong Dem Oct 2013 #57

If a car "all of a sudden is fast approaching" Ace Acme Nov 2013 #180

He's on a motherf*ckin bike. pa28 Oct 2013 #62

so disappointed in all the nasty responses to others Divine Discontent Oct 2013 #64

Maybe he can't afford to drive, and is just doing the best he can bhikkhu Oct 2013 #69

Is there annother road that runs parallel at a slower speed? Warpy Oct 2013 #75

In fact, he may only be maintaining 15 mph... JackRiddler Oct 2013 #126

It's not a question of performance, it's a road . orpupilofnature57 Oct 2013 #129

Which brings me to my main question Warpy Oct 2013 #131

It's seems like Penultimate left the building orpupilofnature57 Oct 2013 #139

Spit and run? Warpy Oct 2013 #150

Yes orpupilofnature57 Oct 2013 #151

Would your boss let you change your schedule? liberalmuse Oct 2013 #82

If the traffic on the road is so heavy, maybe a a letter to the city (or county, petronius Oct 2013 #87

I try to eschew always and never Kennah Oct 2013 #90

Are you saying that you both are very punctual and that you meet at the start of the 2.5 miles every jberryhill Oct 2013 #102

Where do you get off being all logical and factual and stuff? Kennah Oct 2013 #104

Because I arrived at your statement of the inherent implausibility of the OP jberryhill Oct 2013 #105

I walked right into that one, didn't I? Kennah Oct 2013 #135

What do you mean by hit-and-run? penultimate Oct 2013 #176

It hasn't been every day, but about five times I'd say... penultimate Oct 2013 #158

When a motorist with a cellphone glued to their ear almost kills you, you get a little hostile. Kennah Oct 2013 #172

Not sure what that has to do with me though... penultimate Oct 2013 #175

I'm not saying you did anything wrong Kennah Oct 2013 #178

10-15 minutes lost per trip means ... Kennah Oct 2013 #173

Not sure I'm understanding what you think doesn't add up penultimate Oct 2013 #174

For revenge, ZombieHorde Oct 2013 #91

Can't you go a different route? Gormy Cuss Oct 2013 #92

That was my question too. noamnety Oct 2013 #142

Sure, I could, but it wouldn't just be me that would have to go a different route... penultimate Oct 2013 #161

You do realize that if the alt route is longer in distance it's much more of a burden on the cyclist Gormy Cuss Oct 2013 #163

I'm not really stressing over it, just trying to get different perspectives on it. penultimate Oct 2013 #168

Asking if he's an asshole seems like a clear sign that you were stressing about it. Gormy Cuss Oct 2013 #169

I suppose my question could easily be interpretive as such, but I didn't mean much by it penultimate Oct 2013 #171

Affect Heuristic Kennah Oct 2013 #99

That was an interesting read even though the author is the type of rider I want to smack. Gormy Cuss Oct 2013 #115

I think his comments about himself could be straight from The Onion Kennah Oct 2013 #136

I know. That's why I said he was the type of rider I wanted to smack. Gormy Cuss Oct 2013 #149

Perhaps he's delivering WMDs and doesn't want the darned things to blow up Kennah Oct 2013 #101

All motorists should do their utmost to avoid being rude. Live and Learn Oct 2013 #107

First of all, a biker is not a motorist. JackRiddler Oct 2013 #122

Maybe as an activist sort yourself... you could propose the city provide a better alternative route. Tigress DEM Oct 2013 #109

Where I live it's farm tractors B Calm Oct 2013 #110

So where did penultimate go after starting a 150-post thread? JackRiddler Oct 2013 #124

Where? orpupilofnature57 Oct 2013 #128

He's stuck behind some jerk noamnety Oct 2013 #147

It was about 10 wpms... Hunt-and-peck typers should be ran off the internets!!!! penultimate Oct 2013 #165

Heh... I'm here. I just spent like 30 minutes responding. penultimate Oct 2013 #164

I ride my bike to work everyday, I work for a highway Dept. orpupilofnature57 Oct 2013 #127

The great majority of motorized vehicles on the road aren't moving "goods and services" Fumesucker Oct 2013 #141

Don't hate the player, hate the game Strelnikov_ Oct 2013 #133

If only not being an asshole was a prerequisite for orpupilofnature57 Oct 2013 #140

That's actually a good question... It's a pretty busy road and really should be expanded now penultimate Oct 2013 #166

Farm Vehicals travel 15mph One_Life_To_Give Oct 2013 #144

Speed limits posted are always subject to conditions R B Garr Oct 2013 #152

Well! Rosa Luxemburg Oct 2013 #154

I ride - mostly around the city - and I don't generally obey traffic laws. Kermitt Gribble Oct 2013 #177