jfowler85

I'm interviewing for a job in KC, MO (near the VA hospital) and have been away from the midwest for nearly a decade; how's the bicycle commuting around KC? How do the drivers treat cyclists, for the most part? I turned up a cycling map and some general info, but nothing that helpful. I'm coming from a crowded megalopolis that requires very defensive riding, and I generally don't ever use trails or marked bike lanes. Thanks for any info!

Sirrus Rider

Look up Axon here on this site I belive he lives out in that area..

no1mad 

Never been, but I did a Google search for "kc bike commuter". The fourth link actually looks the most promising. It is the KCMO municipal page dedicated to bike and ped resources, including links to the various trails, LBSs, and bicycle parking. https://www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/Depts/Publ...rces/index.htm

FBinNY 

If you don't get a response from a local on this forum. Look up Volker bicycles, and ask for Britton (the owner). Tell him you're a friend of mine (Francis from Chain-L) and he'll make some time for you.

alan s 

A car is a car, wherever you ride. It will maim or kill you in a second. I wouldn't expect KC to be safer for biking than anywhere else. Your defensive riding skills will serve you well everywhere.

bikemig 

Not entirely true. Some cities are worse than others because of the level of traffic or how badly behaved drivers are. I've commuted in six different cities both in the states and abroad (3 in the US of A, 3 in Europe) and there are clear differences. The worst by a long shot was New Orleans; seriously bad drivers who don't respect the rules of the road (in fact NO probably leads the nation in uninsured drivers). My little midwestern city is pretty good. The drivers are fairly courteous. The traffic volume is much, much, much lower than the east coast city I commuted in (Boston). And the roads are reasonably broad so there is plenty of room for cars and cyclists.

alan s 

Guess my point is that wherever you ride, the same laws of physics apply. Your bike and body will leave at most a small dent on a car. You alone will suffer the consequences of a collision, regardless of where you ride. Some cities may be safer on average, but this means nothing with respect to each encounter with a car.

noglider 

And this is useful to jfowler85 (the OP) how? He wants to know how it is relative to other places, I'm sure, and it is a pertinent question, for which there are various possible legitimate answers.

jfowler85

So, you have never traveled away and remarked "wow, people really drive differently here"? I see a marked difference between drivers here and drivers in OR, WY, and MO, to name a few examples off the top of my noggin. I would expect several factors could contribute to better safety for the cyclist. Sure a car could potentially maim a cyclist, but by that logic so could many other objects, animate or not, which is not a particularly helpful piece of advice. I'm not so sure about my riding style serving me well everywhere...when I take my defensive driving back out to the midwest, I am no longer defensive but a complete ass.

jfowler85

Well stated sir.

Rodasch

I left Kansas City a few years ago, but I lived and rode there for several years. Before that I lived and rode in New York City. My NYC riding was all day every day, so I was used to heavy traffic and some bad attitudes, but I have to say KC seemed more hostile. I don't think I was in more real danger, but I tended to feel like a fish out of water. There wasn't much of a cycle-commuter presence. The environment was even more car-centric than other places I've lived (other cities and towns in addition to New York). Those are purely subjective emotional reactions, and the physical reality of commuting in KC something that you'll adjust to easily enough if you're used to urban riding. Overall, it's entirely doable, and a map and some exploratory riding will teach you all you need to know.

irwin7638

I lived worked, went to school and commuted daily in KC for 12 years. It is car centric largely because it is such a huge sprawling metro area. I was told when I was there that it covered more land area than the LA metro area, but had fewer than 1/3 the people. I didn't find it any more or less difficult than any of the other six cities or towns where I have lived. You will learn to pick your routes carefully. Most of the major traffic is on the I35/I70 beltlines around town and on the major boulevards going into the city. I learned to pick my routes around the congestion on the residential streets. It's been over 20 years since I have been there, but I enjoyed living there more than any other place I have been. It's a great place to live.

Marc

alan s 

I have ridden all over the place, and no, cars seem to behave pretty much the same. They are equally dangerous wherever they are found. Maybe your experience has been different. Good luck with your new job and new commute. Be safe out there.

boomhauer

I live a couple miles from where your new job is. Been riding daily since the late 90's here. There has been a big improvement in car drivers attitudes here. This is mostly because there are so many more cyclist here than there were 10 yrs ago. Mid-town is a great place to ride (and live). Can't speak much about the burbs. Not much experience there. Lots of pick-up trucks, as you can imagine. I don't feel like a such an outcast anymore here. Lots of cyclist (in mid-town). You will like it. Not a bad Critical Mass ride each month. Cycle lanes are popping up more. If you have an attitude because you are on a bike you will likely pay the price with the drivers.

belacqua

I've been bike commuting here for 3 years. There have been some token improvements to cycling infrastructure in midtown. Drivers are generally respectful if they see you. Avoid confrontation.

I hope you get the job. Every cyclist we can add to the KC traffic flow will help. Things are moving in the right direction. I find Boomhauer's post very encouraging.

WickedOne513

I just moved here myself (KC that is) I am commuting here. I find the car traffic pretty understanding and open to bikes. It does help that most lanes roads are two lanes allows you to take the lane a little easier. There are a few trails around here also. I just made a stop at Velo+ another LBS guy is pretty cool and friendly. Hope the job works out for you man best luck.