bicyclecommuting
Moderator
Registered: 06/10/08
Posts: 50
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Reply with quote | #1 |
Do you have access to bike lanes or paths in your community or is it necessary to use the streets?
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Dan
Novara Transfer and Raleigh Elkhorn
"A rich person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least"
Bicycle Commuting.net
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Speedy
Registered: 06/12/08
Posts: 5
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Reply with quote | #2 |
In my area we have a little of both. Where the roads have been widened or improved in the last few years, bike lanes have been added. But most of my nine mile commute is along two lane roads with no bike baths, though.
Speedy
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Drifty_Baker
Registered: 07/14/08
Posts: 14
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Reply with quote | #3 |
My 15 mile commute is all on city streets except for a couple of mile of bike trail along the Minnesota River.
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Drifty Baker
Go biking while it's rising! |
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7T5
Registered: 07/14/08
Posts: 10
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Reply with quote | #4 |
My route is all on streets. Most are 25 or 35 mph, but for a short stretch I ride on a 50 mph road that has a really wide shoulder. It is a 10 mile route. Some mornings no one will pass me in either direction until I get to the main road. I have seen fox, raccoon, possum, skunk, bats, rabbits, and deer along my route. This is in a suburban setting. I hope to never see a bear. |
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Chriskartwheel
Registered: 07/25/08
Posts: 5
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Reply with quote | #5 |
About half of my commute is on the street. The other half is on intermitten paths/sidewalks that start and stop randomly and I almost find it easier to just stay on the road. My first night ride was without lights and that was scary! I definitely did not trust that other cars could see me. I think the new lights I installed will do the trick!
-Chris
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Drifty_Baker
Registered: 07/14/08
Posts: 14
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Reply with quote | #6 |
Chris,
What lights did you install? I have a Cateye Opticube on the front and a PlanetBike Superflasher on the back. So far they have been good. When it starts getting dark earlier I may need a better light on the front.
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Drifty Baker
Go biking while it's rising! |
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Chriskartwheel
Registered: 07/25/08
Posts: 5
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Reply with quote | #7 |
Hey Drifty,
The lights I have are a Trek Flare Seven rear light and Ion 3 front. They came packaged together for 37.99. The front light is awesome, I used it for the first time riding home from work Sunday night and it was bright. It is an LED light and seems like a small headlight. The tail light is cool too. It has three settings and I had no problems with traffic. The mounts attatch easily and the lights themselves are easily removable. So far, I'm satisfied. I hope this helps!
-Chris
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Drifty_Baker
Registered: 07/14/08
Posts: 14
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Reply with quote | #8 |
Thanks Chris,
It was dark out this morning when I left my house on my commute. The lights I have came in handy. I will have to get a stronger light on the front though.
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Drifty Baker
Go biking while it's rising! |
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Katy
Registered: 06/30/08
Posts: 12
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Reply with quote | #9 |
I have several options for commute. If I want to ride 30 miles home I can go all but 5 miles on bike trails. This is definitely the most scenic route and I have done it. The half and half route (half city, half bike trial) is a 20 mile ride. The way I usually take is 16 miles through city streets. The 20 mile ride take about the same amount of time because I don't have as many traffic lights to stop for.
I have some major peeves when riding city streets:
1. Demand traffic lights that do not trigger for bicycles. When traffic is heavy on the cross street it is not always possible to run for it. There is not always a Cross walk with a button and, even if there is, is it is never convenient for someone on a bicycle.
2. Bake lanes that double as street parking. What is the point? They should have just saved the money for the paint. It is not safe to zig-zag in and out between parked cars so I don't use them but worry that the people in cars may expect me to use them anyway.
3. Freeway entrances that don't have "Yeild to bicycles" signs. If fact, I have never seen a "Yield to Bicycles" sign anywhere. It is scary when people zoom around you to get on the freeway.
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Katy |
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Deputydoug64
Registered: 06/20/08
Posts: 10
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Reply with quote | #10 |
Well like I have posted my ride is 5.7 miles one way. Not to long but it makes for a nice ride. My commute takes me down city streets to a bike path and back out on the city streets. The City has stated that eventually the bike path will run right out to my job. But with the economy the way it is I am sure that will be put on the back burner. I just recently put regular pedals on my allez, I have had two accidents since I started commuting that I couldn't get my needed foot out of the clip. Enough is enough. Even now with gas at 2.67 down from the high here in VA beach that was 4:01 I find myself liking the me time I get commuting with my bike.
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