kind of busy road w/bike lanes vs residentail streets
07-03-08, 05:41 PM
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kind of busy road w/bike lanes vs residentail streets
I want to start riding my bicycle to work. What would be better?
I can ride on all residential streets and there are many four-way stop signs and no bike lanes. There really is hardly any traffic, but there a lot of intersecting streets. No speed limit signs are posted.
I can also ride my bike on a street that has traffic, two stop lights, and has bikelanes for most part. The bike lanes are shared with parked cars. Also, the bike lanes merge with the traffic lanes at the stoplights and few other turns. This street has a maximum speed of 35 mph, however, most people go 40 mph. BUT there are bike lanes on both side of the road!!
I can ride on all residential streets and there are many four-way stop signs and no bike lanes. There really is hardly any traffic, but there a lot of intersecting streets. No speed limit signs are posted.
I can also ride my bike on a street that has traffic, two stop lights, and has bikelanes for most part. The bike lanes are shared with parked cars. Also, the bike lanes merge with the traffic lanes at the stoplights and few other turns. This street has a maximum speed of 35 mph, however, most people go 40 mph. BUT there are bike lanes on both side of the road!!
07-03-08, 05:48 PM
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Try each one. The traffic may be better coming or going.
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07-03-08, 05:49 PM
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They both sound fine to me. Each has their own drawbacks.
I would say start with the residential route (beware of driveways!) and then try the other route when you feel comfortable.
I would say start with the residential route (beware of driveways!) and then try the other route when you feel comfortable.
07-03-08, 05:51 PM
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i'm a big fan of quiet residential streets. the few bike lanes we do have in houston don't get a lot of respect on the busy streets; not sure how it is in minnie.
07-03-08, 05:57 PM
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It depends. You'll have to try it out. My direct route to work is pretty much half and half of what you describe, going from the quiet (and largely unsigned) streets in my neighborhood to an arterial that takes me into downtown.
07-03-08, 06:05 PM
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This one's completely up to the rider. We have similar setups out here, but I've found by exploring that there are some DIAGONAL (and in my favor) residential roads that get me the same places the busy bike lane-equipped roads do. That's a no-brainer. It not only cuts the distance of one of my trips down by almost 1-1/4 mile, but it also avoids a lot of stop lights and busy traffic -- albeit with bike lanes. I'll feel like I'm riding faster on those main roads, but my average speed's the same as if I take the side road, AND I ride a shorter distance taking the meandering diagonal residential road.
Alternatively, there are some places where the advantage is squarely in the court of the bike lane, or even on a main arterial roadway without a bike lane at certain times of day.
As you explore (and please do use your common sense whilst doing so), you will certainly become a better judge of what works best for your riding style, your bike, and the particular task at hand. Situational adaptation is the rite of passage of the bike commuter, and it's an ongoing process, not a one time accomplishment.
Alternatively, there are some places where the advantage is squarely in the court of the bike lane, or even on a main arterial roadway without a bike lane at certain times of day.
As you explore (and please do use your common sense whilst doing so), you will certainly become a better judge of what works best for your riding style, your bike, and the particular task at hand. Situational adaptation is the rite of passage of the bike commuter, and it's an ongoing process, not a one time accomplishment.
07-03-08, 08:56 PM
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I want to start riding my bicycle to work. What would be better?
Both!! REALY
I'm not sure how far your commute is but myself find that, when given time and reasonable weather, alternative routes are Fun!
The best advice I could give is to stay safe (your instict should guide you there) and simply do the ride, whichever way you choose it'll be wonderfull at the end.
Both!! REALY
I'm not sure how far your commute is but myself find that, when given time and reasonable weather, alternative routes are Fun!
The best advice I could give is to stay safe (your instict should guide you there) and simply do the ride, whichever way you choose it'll be wonderfull at the end.
