Calgary Releases Cycling Strategy

[Lee of Red]

The nub of the matter is that we must heal the schisms between cyclists and motorists. If the two collaborate it's better for everyone. Every extra cyclist is less congestion particularly if they ride on segregated paths.

I am an experienced cyclist and I do stick to all the rules drivers do because I quite enjoy, you know, being alive. in almost all cases a reckless cyclist is only endangering their own life and Darwin will catch up with them. on the other hand careless driving almost always affects other people. There are bad cyclists and there are bad motorists. There is lots of anecdotal evidence that one group is worse than the other but in reality it isn't so.

Unfortunately, as with anything else in the world, there is an egocentric lack of respect going on i.e 'everyone who's not me, sucks'.

The road is a dangerous place to be confrontational.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by Lee of Red

Didn't want an argument. I just like the hypocrisy of demanding that everyone using the road should stick to the rules but then only victimizing the smallest percentage of road users for breaking them. Possibly because they're an easy target.

You seem to be one hell of a guy.

I gave an example of how I hate it when somebody riding a bike goes through red lights and doesn't stop at stop signs that I will attempt to block him the next time I am stopped at a red light. That is one example.

You turn it into the above statement you made. To me, that is you trying to start a argument. Putting words into my mouth and twisting it into something else to start your argument.

[4X4]

Lol. Heal the schisms.

[Jedi Ninja]

If a cyclist disrespects motor vehicle traffic, the risk is that the cyclist will get hurt. If a motorist disrespects cycling traffic, the risk is that the cyclist will get hurt. It's annoying when cyclists act like dickheads, but it's mostly themselves that they are really cheating.

[Matata]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

This is stupid, reaslly stupid.

Do you honestly believe this, or are you just trolling drivers iin this thread?

That's definitely the vibe I got from the guy I exchanged words with and have gotten in many other similar situations. I've exchanged many stories with my dad and other cyclists about how many drivers in this city seem to blindly hate cyclists and how comfortable they are about endangering our lives and whining about what a nuisance we are, regardless on wether cyclists are well behaved or not.

If you think that I believe that every single motorist that dislikes cyclists feels this exact way....well....I like to think that people are able to dissect my words and place them within a proper context without spoon feeding it, but I'm willing you work with you if need be.

e: calling someone really, really stupid is a horrid way to open a dialog, you should work on that.

[Northendzone]

Hopefully they build "mounting stations" for those who dig penny-farthings (aka- the old time bikes)

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Matata

T

e: calling someone really, really stupid is a horrid way to open a dialog, you should work on that.

I didn't call you stupid, I did however call what you said stupid. Suggesting that drivers are ( in a roundabout way) jealous of cyclists is downright hilarious. That was my point.

I can only speak for myself, but if more cyclists would adhere to the rules of the road, and not just the rules that are convenient for them, they would get much more respect.

I can also assure you that not once have I ever seen someone riding a bike and thought to myself "Damn! Look at him, getting all those good parking spots). I'm more jealous of someone who gets to fly a helicopter to work, not a bike. If I really wanted, I could do that too, nothing to be jealous of, I can assure you of that.

[Lee of Red]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

I gave an example of how I hate it when somebody riding a bike goes through red lights and doesn't stop at stop signs that I will attempt to block him the next time I am stopped at a red light. That is one example.

You turn it into the above statement you made. To me, that is you trying to start a argument. Putting words into my mouth and twisting it into something else to start your argument.

Fair enough. But it was a simple enough question in the first place, no? Either you treat motorists who break the rules the same, or you don't? It makes no difference to me either way. I was just interested to know if you would only become aggressive with a cyclist and not another driver. And if so, why so?

You say argument, I say threaded discussion which is kinda the point of internet forums? If you don't want to participate in that then why even post in the first place?

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by Lee of Red

Fair enough. But it was a simple enough question in the first place, no? Either you treat motorists who break the rules the same, or you don't? It makes no difference to me either way. I was just interested to know if you would only become aggressive with a cyclist and not another driver. And if so, why so?

You say argument, I say threaded discussion which is kinda the point of internet forums? If you don't want to participate in that then why even post in the first place?

Yes, I would treat the motorist the same way. If he is driving on the sidewalk or between the cars in the middle of the road or sneaking by on the right hand side of the lane and then running red lights and blowing through stop signs. Yes, I would attempt to block him the next time he tries it.

[habernac]

A big issue that looks like it may be addressed is the TOTAL lack of bike lanes in the downtown area. I'm tired of being buzzed by dicks who are just going to have to wait like I do at the next red light 50 metres ahead. I take the lane because they don't give me one.

The old "bike route" system blows as well. Who wants to ride 16 blocks out of the way? Just set up bike lanes on some major thorugh fares already. I ride a combination of centre and 4th street NW at the moment that is fairly busy.

I think pylon addressed it earlier, but having bike routes full of gravel right into June is ridiculous.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by habernac

A big issue that looks like it may be addressed is the TOTAL lack of bike lanes in the downtown area. I'm tired of being buzzed by dicks who are just going to have to wait like I do at the next red light 50 metres ahead. I take the lane because they don't give me one.

The old "bike route" system blows as well. Who wants to ride 16 blocks out of the way? Just set up bike lanes on some major thorugh fares already. I ride a combination of centre and 4th street NW at the moment that is fairly busy.

I think pylon addressed it earlier, but having bike routes full of gravel right into June is ridiculous.

Dedicated bike lanes on Major roads will also help motorists know which areas to avoid if they do not want to deal with cyclists.

[JohnnyO]

How about the city finishes all the freakin construction on the river pathways in and around downtown. If they did I wouldn't have to drive down 3rd ave with all the cars and be forced to stop at lights and stop signs. That and getting crushed next to the curb and parked cars at 7th Street and 3rd ave as the road is too narrow for traffic never mind traffic plus cyclists. 2 summers of detours for that dumb a$$ bridge and whatever they are doing at 10th street and memorial.

There should also be a bike lane both northbound and southbound (3rd St??) from 9th ave all the way to the river.

[Lee of Red]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

Yes, I would treat the motorist the same way. If he is driving on the sidewalk or between the cars in the middle of the road or sneaking by on the right hand side of the lane and then running red lights and blowing through stop signs. Yes, I would attempt to block him the next time he tries it.

But what about something more equivalent? What if you see a car speeding? Not using a turn signal?

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by Lee of Red

But what about something more equivalent? What if you see a car speeding? Not using a turn signal?

No. I am talking about dealing with cyclist not about cars. I am talking about one situation of behavoir from somebody on a bike.

I could care less about somebody speeding unless it is front of my house then I will tell them to slow down. I do get frustrated when people don't use their turn signal but I don't do anything about it except give them a thumbs up.

[Lee of Red]

Then why can't you just call out a cyclist or just gesture to them as well? I have no problems with people verbally abusing bad cyclists for bad cycling. Using your vehicle as an obstruction is dangerous to anyone else using the road. I understand people's frustrations with any inconsiderate road user. But then your actions themselves are inconsiderate and dangerous.

[GGG]

I don't understand the need for bike lanes downtown. Traffic moves slow enough in rush hour that as long as you occupy your lane and sit right in the middle of it you shouldn't have problems.

The only time I see people on bikes having issues is when they don't act like a vehicle or are courteous and let another vehicle share there lane. Occupy an entire lane downtown.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by Lee of Red

Then why can't you just call out a cyclist or just gesture to them as well? I have no problems with people verbally abusing bad cyclists for bad cycling. Using your vehicle as an obstruction is dangerous to anyone else using the road. I understand people's frustrations with any inconsiderate road user. But then your actions themselves are inconsiderate and dangerous.

You understand that I am talking about when I am at the red light? I move over right to the curb so he can't pass me. 100% of the time the cyclist got the message and stops behind me and waited like everybody else.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by GGG

I don't understand the need for bike lanes downtown. Traffic moves slow enough in rush hour that as long as you occupy your lane and sit right in the middle of it you shouldn't have problems.

The only time I see people on bikes having issues is when they don't act like a vehicle or are courteous and let another vehicle share there lane. Occupy an entire lane downtown.

So you're going to encourage cycling by making them sit in traffic sucking exhaust for 30 minutes just to get out of downtown?

[Addick]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

So you're going to encourage cycling by making them sit in traffic sucking exhaust for 30 minutes just to get out of downtown?

He'd probably go mental if Calgary adopted advanced stop lines.

While I do agree that cyclists should adhere to the same rules when it comes to red lights, I have absolutely no problem with them moving/weaving to the front of the queue. It's a much more efficient use of road space and it allows cyclists to more completely utilize their vehicle.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

You understand that I am talking about when I am at the red light? I move over right to the curb so he can't pass me. 100% of the time the cyclist got the message and stops behind me and waited like everybody else.

If you drive a black Ford Ranger, you are a massive puss. Some guy in a black Ranger did that to me on 14th street, at a light, and I almost went ass over tea kettle into his tailgate while I was shoulder checking the car next to me. Pulled up next to him, and he acted like a massive coward when I asked him if he would like to discuss his "etiquette" in the parking lot, right over there.

Because you are lazy, or out of shape, or just a general dick of a driver, which you sound like... you don't have a right to endanger the life of a cyclist. If you have EVER ridden a real road bike, you would get that these things can travel at car like speeds. Blocking the path of a cyclist with a 3000 pound obstacle, that stops faster, is a complete a-hole thing to do, whether the cyclist is right or wrong. There has never been a case of a cyclist killing a driver, but there has certainly been thousands of deaths the other way around. What is the worst the cyclist is going to do, besides slow your day up by 20 seconds? Is that worth causing a torn sack, a broken wrist, or worse... just so you can be the King of the Road?

It is the same as seeing a guy speeding 10 over, and taking the law into your own hands by throwing out a spike belt to impede his progress. The sad thing about guys like you is, whenever you guys get called out, you cower like the spineless twerps you are, and just speed off.