Noob Question about Bike Lanes
#77
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#78
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So tell us about Phoenix and their wonderful arrangement of bike lanes. Or tell us how those bike trails through the washes are useable and perfectly safe in the rainy season. While the actual roads in Phoenix are 100 times better than most of California, the bike lanes are not.
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Most thoroughfares have bikes lanes in California.
So tell us about Phoenix and their wonderful arrangement of bike lanes. Or tell us how those bike trails through the washes are useable and perfectly safe in the rainy season. While the actual roads in Phoenix are 100 times better than most of California, the bike lanes are not.
So tell us about Phoenix and their wonderful arrangement of bike lanes. Or tell us how those bike trails through the washes are useable and perfectly safe in the rainy season. While the actual roads in Phoenix are 100 times better than most of California, the bike lanes are not.
BTW, what is this rainy season you speak of?
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#83
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Since in several places I've referenced articles with my name on them exactly how difficult was that to detect? I have no idea of how this registration came to be since the concussion caused all sorts of problems with memories. For several years I couldn't even remember my name for long periods. Though I could recite my social security number and military serial number and all of the aircraft I flew on in the war. It must be really hard to have to hide your own real identity as you do. And since we're at it, exactly how difficult is it to tie a discussion about bike lanes into a question from a person about bike lanes in an area I'm somewhat familiar with? And the usual BS from Noodle Soup complaining about anything and everything without adding anything to the discussion? In California bike lanes ae common because we have a very active bicycle lobbying group. Because you can find bike lanes in downtown Phoenix if you look for them doesn't mean that they are common. Most of the bike trails run through these huge dry washes that drain off the water from hurricanes that come up through the Gulf of California but he doesn't know that there is a rainy season. The upshot of this is that the newbie is going to have to learn to ride on the streets like a normal vehicle and get used to it like everyone else. I did 2 weeks of riding there every day and I can't remember seeing a bike lane. According to my log that was 300 miles ALL in and around Phoenix.
Last edited by RiceAWay; 01-12-20 at 11:37 AM.
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Since in several places I've referenced articles with my name on them exactly how difficult was that to detect? I have no idea of how this registration came to be since the concussion caused all sorts of problems with memories. For several years I couldn't even remember my name for long periods. Though I could recite my social security number and military serial number and all of the aircraft I flew on in the war. It must be really hard to have to hide your own real identity as you do. And since we're at it, exactly how difficult is it to tie a discussion about bike lanes into a question from a person about bike lanes in an area I'm somewhat familiar with? And the usual BS from Noodle Soup complaining about anything and everything without adding anything to the discussion?
Originally Posted by RiceAWay;21280993[b
I did 2 weeks of riding there every day and I can't remember seeing a bike lane. According to my log that was 300 miles ALL in and around Phoenix..
I have lived here for over 8 years(lived car-free for all of those), and have ridden over 100k miles in Maricopa County. I probably know more about the bike lanes and trails(and weather) of the Phoenix area than you.
Not many bike lanes in Maricopa County(the greater Phoenix area)https://geo.azmag.gov/maps/bikemap/
Last edited by noodle soup; 01-12-20 at 08:29 PM.
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So, I'm planning my ride for the weekend, and there's this pretty sweet 20 mile loop near my house that has a bike lane for almost all of it. There's a .5 mile stretch that doesn't.
Being a noob who so far has only stuck to riding in my neighborhood, I'm a bit anxious about riding on a road with no bike lane (I stay conservative on where I ride given my experience level). The speed limit here is 45 MPH.
My question is, would you guys ride on the shoulder here?
Do you take the speed limit of the road into consideration?
I notice there's a bigger shoulder on the opposite side (should I ride wrong way there?).
Or am I being a wuss and should I just shut up and ride on the shoulder?
Just wondering as I don't know anyone who cycles unfortunately.
FWIW, there's a double yellow, so technically, a car wouldn't be able to pass me.
Being a noob who so far has only stuck to riding in my neighborhood, I'm a bit anxious about riding on a road with no bike lane (I stay conservative on where I ride given my experience level). The speed limit here is 45 MPH.
My question is, would you guys ride on the shoulder here?
Do you take the speed limit of the road into consideration?
I notice there's a bigger shoulder on the opposite side (should I ride wrong way there?).
Or am I being a wuss and should I just shut up and ride on the shoulder?
Just wondering as I don't know anyone who cycles unfortunately.
FWIW, there's a double yellow, so technically, a car wouldn't be able to pass me.
Unless specified that it is strictly reserved to motorized vehicles (such as highways), you can ride whatever road you feel comfortable being on. Just stay as close to the shoulder as possible, and cars will just get around you even if it means that they'll have to step on the double yellow lines.
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@Metallifan33 See why I said that section of road was nothing to worry about?
BTW, What time were you out there? I got to DV and Paloma at around 10AM, and it was chilly, but not breezy.
BTW, What time were you out there? I got to DV and Paloma at around 10AM, and it was chilly, but not breezy.
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Noob Question About Bike Lanes
We each have to determine if riding with a narrow shoulder is worth the risk and what, if any are the alternatives? Narrow shoulder, light traffic and I'd probably ride it but make sure my flashing lights are on (rear and front of my bike and mounted on my helmet too for greater visibility). Also I often ride with a traffic safety vest which some studies have shown provide better visibility. If I'm in a group there is safety in numbers sometimes if all are riding safely and have similar bright clothing and safety attire (vests, flashing lights). Take a League of American Bicyclists Traffic Skills 101 class which can teach you better bicycling skills. 101 will teach you to 'take the lane' ... ride in the middle of the lane and take up the space of a vehicle because an over taking vehicle is more likely to give you a full four-feet when passing. Be aware that many drivers ... including bicycle drivers ... are not practicing good safety when driving and many will have cell phones, text messages, telephone calls, loud music, GPS, etc. to contend with and many think you on a two or three wheel bicycle should not be sharing the road and traffic lane with you. I've been in two serious crashes with fast moving vehicles ... hit from the front the first time in 1983 when riding with three youngsters including my son while I was doing everything right and the other driver sneezed (he said) pulling into and hitting all of us and again in 1988 while leading a group of 10 riders and in a marked bicycle lane at the time when the other driver reached for something that fell on the passenger side floor ... no other traffic on the road at the time too. So, do you feel lucky in bicycling in a 45 mph zone with a narrow shoulder? Probably safer to cross the road and ride against the traffic in the wider shoulder BUT not legal so there is risk here too.
#92
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I don't know what you're talking about. The paved bike paths I rode on in Phoenix would ride along one side of the wash and then cross to the other side. When I asked how you used those paths in the rainy weather I was told, "you don't". They said that it wasn't even safe to ride on those paved paths if the wash looked dry because you could get tidal wave-like filling of the wash quite suddenly. Since these people had ridden there for 40 years or more I take them at their word though apparently you do not.
#93
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We each have to determine if riding with a narrow shoulder is worth the risk and what, if any are the alternatives? Narrow shoulder, light traffic and I'd probably ride it but make sure my flashing lights are on (rear and front of my bike and mounted on my helmet too for greater visibility). Also I often ride with a traffic safety vest which some studies have shown provide better visibility. If I'm in a group there is safety in numbers sometimes if all are riding safely and have similar bright clothing and safety attire (vests, flashing lights). Take a League of American Bicyclists Traffic Skills 101 class which can teach you better bicycling skills. 101 will teach you to 'take the lane' ... ride in the middle of the lane and take up the space of a vehicle because an over taking vehicle is more likely to give you a full four-feet when passing. Be aware that many drivers ... including bicycle drivers ... are not practicing good safety when driving and many will have cell phones, text messages, telephone calls, loud music, GPS, etc. to contend with and many think you on a two or three wheel bicycle should not be sharing the road and traffic lane with you. I've been in two serious crashes with fast moving vehicles ... hit from the front the first time in 1983 when riding with three youngsters including my son while I was doing everything right and the other driver sneezed (he said) pulling into and hitting all of us and again in 1988 while leading a group of 10 riders and in a marked bicycle lane at the time when the other driver reached for something that fell on the passenger side floor ... no other traffic on the road at the time too. So, do you feel lucky in bicycling in a 45 mph zone with a narrow shoulder? Probably safer to cross the road and ride against the traffic in the wider shoulder BUT not legal so there is risk here too.
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I don't know what you're talking about. The paved bike paths I rode on in Phoenix would ride along one side of the wash and then cross to the other side. When I asked how you used those paths in the rainy weather I was told, "you don't". They said that it wasn't even safe to ride on those paved paths if the wash looked dry because you could get tidal wave-like filling of the wash quite suddenly. Since these people had ridden there for 40 years or more I take them at their word though apparently you do not.
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I went on another ride today and thought it'd be nice to have one in front too... I do worry about people who come to a stop to turn right into the street I'm riding and not seeing me come. I always wait till we make eye contact before I ride in front of them (and sometimes it takes a few moments longer than I'd like).
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I bought one but didn't put it on yet. I was wondering if it would annoy cyclists that come up behind you to pass...
I went on another ride today and thought it'd be nice to have one in front too... I do worry about people who come to a stop to turn right into the street I'm riding and not seeing me come. I always wait till we make eye contact before I ride in front of them (and sometimes it takes a few moments longer than I'd like).
I went on another ride today and thought it'd be nice to have one in front too... I do worry about people who come to a stop to turn right into the street I'm riding and not seeing me come. I always wait till we make eye contact before I ride in front of them (and sometimes it takes a few moments longer than I'd like).
ADDENDUM: Except when riding in a group ride don't worry about your rear light affecting riders coming up from behind. In group rides depending on factors, you can either turn the rear light off or turn it to non-flashing and lower light setting.
Last edited by BengalCat; 01-13-20 at 09:48 PM.
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#100
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Wide shoulder/no traffic/ against traffic
If it's 1/4 mile a wide shoulder and little traffic I would go against traffic and fast.