I didn't ride Friday last week as I had an appointment and needed the car.
I was riding along this morning at the usual time and came to 26 St and Bow Trail to find the road totally closed. I did cross to see if I could manoeuvre my bike through the fencing and the large trench across the street, from what I could see I couldn't.
I ended up going through Scarboro and took the bridge over Crowchild. Ended up at 14 St and linked up to the pathway. All in all, it took me an extra 15-20 mins more as I was trying to figure out where I was going.
Anyone else know about this closure ahead of time? I don't recall seeing anything to say it was to be closed. Maybe it was there on Friday when I didn't ride.
That is my route too (crossing over Bow trail at 26th street, but I had to drive today (argh, I hate that, on such a beauty day too) The city assured me that there is to be a new pedestrian overpass at that site in the fall.
If they are blocking 26th street now then that is a serious problem for me :( I can't fit in an extra 20 minute work around commute...at least in the morning anyway.
Work harder/faster LRT people!! Oh yes, and if 26th street/Bow Trail is closed then please put up a sign at the bottom of the hill off the bike path so I don't climb it for no reason!!!!
I checked out the West LRT website and they indicate the closure but state that pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained at 26 Street SW during the work.
I'm going to take a ride there tonight to see if there is access like they claim, maybe I missed something this morning, it was early and all!
I take this route too - didn't see any warning that it was to be closed although I assumed it would be since they have to tunnel services beneath the road. Would have been nice if they posted a sign saying how long the work will take. I did see a worker escorting two cyclists through the construction zone so perhaps they are doing this for everyone.
This morning I skipped the intersection and went west to 33rd only to find they've shut off the north bound traffic lights so I had to go to the west side and cross like a pedestrian. The Scarboro route also has a detour.
My 'commute' today consisted of riding up and down Highway 93 here in Invermere. I didn't have my rear-view mirror with me, and I felt just like a sitting duck. I was completely reliant on drivers paying attention and not veering onto the paved shoulder where I was riding - and I didn't like that one bit. Shoulder checking is simply not effective when cars are approaching at speeds of 80 km/h or more.
I'll be happy when I'm back on urban roads where the overtaking speeds are much lower.
------------
'ride' at 'bikecalgary.org'
Bicycles aren't obstructing traffic, they're part of traffic
awhile since I've ridden the part south of Radium. As I recall, there is at least a decent shoulder there. Going North from Radium up towards Golden there is next to no shoulder.
I've done a fair amount of riding on sketchy roads so I guess it doesn't bother me quite as much but I'm not fond of the ride North.
I figure visibility is key (bright colours as opposed to black).
The Westside Road south of Invermere to Hwy 93 has no shoulders and mediocre pavement, but has almost no traffic - give it a shot.
The Westside Road north of Invermere turns to a smooth gravel road after Wilmer - not great on a road bike, but OK on a 'cross bike or commuter bike. Again, not a lot of traffic.
I had an appointment yesterday afternoon, and decided to ride in to downtown for 15 minutes instead of walk for an hour. Good call. Traffic is very light these days, and I missed the thunderstorm completely.
___________________ Who causes accidents? Swrve!
I went to the intersection of 26 St SW/Bow Trail last night to see how everything was set up and they do have an opening in the fence for pedestrians and cyclists. I suppose that was set up sometime yesterday as it wasn't there at 5:45am Monday morning. It is a narrow dirt path that goes around the trench. According to the City of Calgary site (while checking out the access to Shag golf course) they indicate the closure is in effect from August 8 to 13.
Rode home last night at around 5:00 pm, usual time, also usual time for the storms to move in. Got pretty wet but don't mind that, it's the thunderboomers and lightening flashes that scare me skinny! Feeling a little vulnerable on a bike in a thunderstorm, saw folks "hiding" under underpasses, probably not a bad idea. Saw one guy hovering under a big tree, yikes, that doesn't seem too clever.
I had to drop off the car at Visons [they screwed up the speaker install], and then rode downtown to meet a couple buddies for lunch. It was sunny and nice the whole way, and I didn't even have to pay for lunch! Got home about 20 minutes before the rains came...
___________________ Who causes accidents? Swrve!
So since it looked like rain, meaning that the path is more empty than normal and that it might rain, I decided to try and come in quickly this morning to beat any potential showers. Bad timing. After doing a respectable 45 km/h on the roadways I kept it at about 35 on the path and sure enough there were two bylaw officers waiting with a radar gun just before Crowchild trail (east bound on the path). Apparently this is now a 10 km/h zone. I think I may have heard someone mention of that but I've never noticed the sign, I thought it was just the bridge.
Anyway, it seemed like they were pulling everyone over and giving them warnings. I have a feeling they will be back to hand out tickets next time. So fair warning to anyone using that pathway for the rest of the summer. I wonder if they'll catch the e-bike guy who does 60, and I wonder what the ticket for that is?
I believe there's a 10km sign posted just before where the pedestrian and reg. pathway merged. I was doing around 25km, when I saw the by-law officers truck parked near some trees, about 100 yards from where they were, so I knew something was up and slowed down to 15km.
of them out. In response to the lady who got T-Boned by the roller blader. The city figures it now needs to more rigorously enforce it's pathway limits.
One of the issues with the 10KPH limit is that unless you are sitting up looking all over the place you won't see the signs, they are at the level you'd see if you were driving a car. On most bikes, you are in somewhat of a streamlined position and focusing on the hazards of the MUP and just won't see them. One day on my commute I deliberately kept looking for signs and was surprised at the number of 10KPH signs I saw.
But, if they don't want me doing over 20KPH them I'll take to the road. I wonder how the city would take it if cyclists took over the right lane of Memorial in the morning coming into town. After all, if I can't exceed 20KPH on the pathway, I guess I have to take the road and because cars won't give me room I have to "take the lane" on the right. And, with the number of bikes that are on that route it should be VERY interesting. Oh and add to that if a bike is passing another bike they have to take the next lane over, even if it takes a couple of minutes to pass.
So far as the speed signs, I was thinking about them and the ones that I see on the bike path are smaller than the ones you see on roadways. I'm not sure if this is a trick of the mind or not, but they should probably put larger sighs on the bike path.
So far as Memorial Dr is concerned, I have been thinking about this as well. I may ride it all the way in one morning when I'm feeling fast and just see how it goes.
There is an on road alternative to go in on 5th avenue, but it's a detour with long lights at Crowchild. Even so, I was taking this route in the spring until they tore up a critical piece of roadway that let me avoid the 60km/h zone on Memorial just east of Shaganappi. When they did that I went back to the bike path. I was getting honked at on about 1 out of 4 trips down that stretch of road, but now it seems I'm stuck with it.
I saw somewhere a thread where someone was on a steering committee for cycling infrastructure, but now I can't find that thread. Can anyone point me to it as I have some suggestions to put forth.
I don't know how far you ride along the river, but if like me you start on the far side of Shaganappi, what do you plan to do riding through there?
I come out of Bowness on Bowness Road, so I will probably end up on Memorial and take a left on 35a street. I'm not crazy about this route though, too many drivers hate to see a cyclist there.
Do you have to hop the curb off of veterans way or do you go on the sidewalk after you turn left? Do get a lot of flack from drivers here? I did this route for about week and had numerous aggressive drivers, (including two who were life threatening), was this just a bad week?
Finally, when heading west, do you filter by the cars if there is a red light on Shag, or do you take the lane? I ask as one of life threatening moves was a guy who swerved at me just past the light because he saw me filter past him. He actually stopped and told me he did this on purpose specifically because I filtered (yes I should have reported him but I wasn't thinking straight).
I jump the curb and go through the church parking lot. As for drivers, I can't say I have any problems, but:
a) I am a fairly assertive rider, and
b) I go pretty fast.
I sometime have to filter at shag on the way home, but usually I just time it right.
I am also assertive and somewhat fast. My hesitancy is because in 4 days of riding on that stretch of road I had two supersized pickups come screaming up behind me before laying on the horn once they were 5 feet off my back wheel. Way less hassle on the bike paths.
Some dude warned me of the speed trap this morning and most likely saved me a ticket.
I'll pay it forward today (maybe buy some of my co-workers a coffee) and suggest that we all do this next time we see a speed trap.
This misuse of very limited municipal tax dollars is amazing when you consider how many people are too scared to take the C-train or walk anywhere near the Eastend of downtown.
I’ll start to take the laws seriously when they are reasonable and applied equally to all user group, until then I’ll view them as what they are – a joke.
Although I usually do 30 to 35, I always slow down when I see kids, dogs or anyone else who looks unpredictable. And in these scenarios 20km/h seems like a good speed limit. So I happen to sagree with the speed limit on the MUPS (yes I know how hypocritical this sounds). As I hope to one day take my kids cycling on there, I'll be pretty annoyed at anyone who is speeding past us (and there are lots of cyclists who don't slow down ever).
We have to remember that the MUPS were originally intended to recreational. The real problem is a complete lack of good commuter solutions. Exhibit A is the mass of cyclists blazing down the MUP every morning ignoring the speed limits (I'd say at least 95% of the bikes I see are going over 20).
i avoid pathways like the plague for this very reason.
People are idiots at every time of the day (except most early morning commutes(6am)).
When its not the other pathway users, its the bylaw punks, when its not them.... Druh????
Ive taken the pathways maybe half a dozen times of all my commutes this year, and BY FAR enjoy my 10th street to 5th ave commute far more... Make all the pathway initiatives you want, as a guy with a good background in road cycling, that is what im going to stick to.
what the bylaw officers are doing and in fact I am sympathetic towards them. The problem lies with the city NOT planning appropriate infrastructure and in a vain attempt to appease to the masses (imprisoned car drivers), they go after cyclist who are very much the minority.
The city is worried about more little old ladies getting hit and so will enforce the MUP speed limits and will erect more 10KPH signs in any area of congestion. It is far cheaper to put in a 10KPH sign than to correct the sight / congestion issues.
The laws are in fact being enforced to protect the minority (walkers in this case) and to not infringe on the rights of the majority (cage dwellers). Unfortunately us poor cyclists are caught in the middle.
Pretty well every commuting cyclist has disobyed numerous bylaws (over 20KPH on MUP, on sidewalk riding between pathway X and Y, not using a bell etc. etc. etc.) because we believe that the laws are not conducive to cycling (and they are aren't). This is precisely what happens in a society where the laws "don't make sense" as Orange pointed out.
Maybe it is time to take to the road and exercise our full rights there in rush hour traffic and see if that makes a difference in how fast the city starts to come up with alternative transportation plans and puts them into effect although I'd be concerned that they'd then just ban bicycles.
So, I'll continue to flaunt the laws and hope that over time things improve. The Bylaw officers aren't out very often and once you know where they will likey be you can either avoid those areas or go slow for a few hundred meters and then speed up again - at least that'll be my plan.
I'd really like to ride down Memorial. I'm just a little concerned about being killed though (particularly between 14th St and Crowchild when they all want to go 80). Any suggestion on how to get over this fear BCDon?
I would be keen on a group ride on Memorial on that stretch, take the entire right lane all the way from 29th street to 10th or beyond......I am usually riding that area between 7:15 and 7:30 but can head out earlier if it means hooking up with a group of riders.
I also was stopped at the above mentioned location this morning, and my first comment was "If I'm speeding, that's a compliment". When the officer told me my "radar speed" I gleefully said "REALLY!!"...he tried hard not to smile but pointed out the 10K limit at the merger of the 2 paths, I said "I did not know that" and thanked him, riding off I tho't ...where the heck is there a sign that says 10K. My take away was that I impressed myself with my speed!! hahhah...if you saw my bike you'd get why I'm so happy about that.
Getting hit by a car just to prove a point is not very smart and I can assure you that you'll not get any sympathy in a courtroom – assuming you survive and the Cop actually bothers to write up the driver (most likely a ‘I didn’t seem him’ defence will be all the driver will need).
Just keep riding the pathway and vent on this forum.
Couple of other points to consider when venting:
(a) The Lady who was hit on the pathway was hit by a rollerblader, which is a pathway user who does not have effective brakes. There is no correlation to cyclists and this is just being used by pathway Power Trippers to justify their unjustifiable by-laws.
(b) The average Calgarian would agree that this is a waste of resources and would be embarrassed to hear that their City is actually promoting this sort of law enforcement.
If they have to lower the speed for cyclists on the pathway to accomodate pedestrians, why not lower the speed limit on Memorial to accomodate cyclists?
There are only two sketchy bits, one from Shag to 35 street at 60km/h which is only 4 blocks, and another from Crowchild to 14 street at 70km/h which is only 1.5 km long and ends up in a traffic snarl at the end anyway (so there is really no point to going fast.
If the limit was 50 then I think it would be safe to cycle on. Maybe we should lobby the city for this. Or better yet a dedicated bicycle lane along Memorial.
I would support a group ride along Memorial at rushour provided more than 5 people show up.
Doing away with the median along Memorial would certainly provide more space, but at considerable extra cost and controversy.
My 6yr old does more than 10km/hr. seriously.
These low speed limits are another reason I usually ride my MTB w/ knobbies... more resistance forces me to go slower. But lets not forget that we mostly get Westerly winds so coming into downtown from Bowness area means a healthy push. Even w/ MTB & knobbies I usually average ~30km/hr over my commute (includes roads) and that's not pushing it too hard either according to my heart-rate monitor (~135-140bpm heart rate).
How much time and effort did they put into redoing the median along memorial between centre street and 10th street just as a beatification project? It looks great by the way. Why not carry on all the way to Crowchild and make a space for bikes while they're at it?
I would only be able to make it if its a 6am ride though.
I'll go out of my way to ride over to bowness to get the full stretch of memorial in there too if enough people are down.
Sounds like fun... and for possibly a good promotion.
While I have vented frequently on this site, individual riders safety is more important than getting the city to change its rules and laws. Also, I don't commute along Memorial so while I did suggest protesting it's not something that I'd be doing (seeing as I work in the NE now, nowhere close to Memorial). I'm fighting my own battles along Southland and some parts of Barlow (under Memorial Drive).
I would caution people to be very careful in any ride they do which interferes with what Calgary Drivers figure is their god given right.
A few years ago I was riding my motorbike and was stopped at a light. The pickup truck behind me bumped me from the rear, deliberatly. I got off my bike, walked back 2 feet and placed my foot into his front grill. I then went back to my bike and just as I got on he pushed with his truck knocking both my bike and myself to the ground. He then stated that I had "cut him off" earlier. The point here being that the cage dwellers are well protected and think nothing of cutting us off, hitting us, dooring us, throwing things at us and in general placing our lives in serious danger. We are very small, they are very large, we will loose in any confrontation.
However, a safe way of doing this would be to have a group of cyclists, even 1, followed by a car that doesn't pass. Now, no chance of getting hit from behind. Add to that, having their 4-way flashers on and it might work. Just a thought.
If this goes off, I think the 'chase car' idea is a good thought. A sign on the back suggesting that cyclists are part of our transport network and problems drivers have with them can be alleviated by writing their alderman demanding better cycling infrastructure would be a useful addition. My only other thought is that anyone participating in this would have to ride precisely to the rules of the road, i.e. not filter, neglect to signal, etc.
I too think the 10km/h speed limit is ridiculous based on actually riding that speed where it is posted. I can see a valid argument about slowing down to that speed when passing young kids on bikes but I can see absolutely no point in bylaw ticketing someone for doing 20-30km/h when there is no-one else nearby. 40 or 50km/h, yeah, that's reason for a warning or ticket on the pathway.
Receive a velocity award and go and fight it. Admit that you were exceeding the MUP speed limit but do need to get into work in a reasonable time and 10KPH isn't reasonable. As such, does the (judge / lawyer / city) RECOMMEND that we travel on the road?
Although they'd likely either state that wasn't what this was about or would tell us to do whatever we think we need to do and not take any responsibility.
Ultimately I still think the answer is to do what we've been doing all along and just be wary during enforcement times.
Did I miss something?
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
I didn't ride Friday last week as I had an appointment and needed the car.
I was riding along this morning at the usual time and came to 26 St and Bow Trail to find the road totally closed. I did cross to see if I could manoeuvre my bike through the fencing and the large trench across the street, from what I could see I couldn't.
I ended up going through Scarboro and took the bridge over Crowchild. Ended up at 14 St and linked up to the pathway. All in all, it took me an extra 15-20 mins more as I was trying to figure out where I was going.
Anyone else know about this closure ahead of time? I don't recall seeing anything to say it was to be closed. Maybe it was there on Friday when I didn't ride.
yikes
Submitted by theorangejacket on
That is my route too (crossing over Bow trail at 26th street, but I had to drive today (argh, I hate that, on such a beauty day too) The city assured me that there is to be a new pedestrian overpass at that site in the fall.
If they are blocking 26th street now then that is a serious problem for me :( I can't fit in an extra 20 minute work around commute...at least in the morning anyway.
Work harder/faster LRT people!! Oh yes, and if 26th street/Bow Trail is closed then please put up a sign at the bottom of the hill off the bike path so I don't climb it for no reason!!!!
Follow up
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
I checked out the West LRT website and they indicate the closure but state that pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained at 26 Street SW during the work.
I'm going to take a ride there tonight to see if there is access like they claim, maybe I missed something this morning, it was early and all!
Will report back.
26 Street SW
Submitted by grapeape on
I take this route too - didn't see any warning that it was to be closed although I assumed it would be since they have to tunnel services beneath the road. Would have been nice if they posted a sign saying how long the work will take. I did see a worker escorting two cyclists through the construction zone so perhaps they are doing this for everyone.
This morning I skipped the intersection and went west to 33rd only to find they've shut off the north bound traffic lights so I had to go to the west side and cross like a pedestrian. The Scarboro route also has a detour.
Not exactly a cyclist friendly time in the SW.
Highway riding
Submitted by ride on
My 'commute' today consisted of riding up and down Highway 93 here in Invermere. I didn't have my rear-view mirror with me, and I felt just like a sitting duck. I was completely reliant on drivers paying attention and not veering onto the paved shoulder where I was riding - and I didn't like that one bit. Shoulder checking is simply not effective when cars are approaching at speeds of 80 km/h or more.
I'll be happy when I'm back on urban roads where the overtaking speeds are much lower.
------------
'ride' at 'bikecalgary.org'
Bicycles aren't obstructing traffic, they're part of traffic
Its been
Submitted by BCDon on
awhile since I've ridden the part south of Radium. As I recall, there is at least a decent shoulder there. Going North from Radium up towards Golden there is next to no shoulder.
I've done a fair amount of riding on sketchy roads so I guess it doesn't bother me quite as much but I'm not fond of the ride North.
I figure visibility is key (bright colours as opposed to black).
riding in Invermere
Submitted by Merlyn on
The Westside Road south of Invermere to Hwy 93 has no shoulders and mediocre pavement, but has almost no traffic - give it a shot.
The Westside Road north of Invermere turns to a smooth gravel road after Wilmer - not great on a road bike, but OK on a 'cross bike or commuter bike. Again, not a lot of traffic.
Into the Core
Submitted by pinkrobe on
I had an appointment yesterday afternoon, and decided to ride in to downtown for 15 minutes instead of walk for an hour. Good call. Traffic is very light these days, and I missed the thunderstorm completely.
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Swrve!
Nice soaking
Submitted by NW_Tri_and_Bike on
I took the MTB and was on Nose Hill... by the time I got home I was nice and dirty.
Checked it out
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
I went to the intersection of 26 St SW/Bow Trail last night to see how everything was set up and they do have an opening in the fence for pedestrians and cyclists. I suppose that was set up sometime yesterday as it wasn't there at 5:45am Monday morning. It is a narrow dirt path that goes around the trench. According to the City of Calgary site (while checking out the access to Shag golf course) they indicate the closure is in effect from August 8 to 13.
stormy!
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
Rode home last night at around 5:00 pm, usual time, also usual time for the storms to move in. Got pretty wet but don't mind that, it's the thunderboomers and lightening flashes that scare me skinny! Feeling a little vulnerable on a bike in a thunderstorm, saw folks "hiding" under underpasses, probably not a bad idea. Saw one guy hovering under a big tree, yikes, that doesn't seem too clever.
Running errands
Submitted by pinkrobe on
I had to drop off the car at Visons [they screwed up the speaker install], and then rode downtown to meet a couple buddies for lunch. It was sunny and nice the whole way, and I didn't even have to pay for lunch! Got home about 20 minutes before the rains came...
___________________
Who causes accidents?
Swrve!
Dreading 5th ave
Submitted by swak on
dreading 5th ave more and more every day... Feels like im trying out for the Paris Roubaix. Will be excellent when finished im sure though.
Got stopped for speeding
Submitted by winterrider on
So since it looked like rain, meaning that the path is more empty than normal and that it might rain, I decided to try and come in quickly this morning to beat any potential showers. Bad timing. After doing a respectable 45 km/h on the roadways I kept it at about 35 on the path and sure enough there were two bylaw officers waiting with a radar gun just before Crowchild trail (east bound on the path). Apparently this is now a 10 km/h zone. I think I may have heard someone mention of that but I've never noticed the sign, I thought it was just the bridge.
Anyway, it seemed like they were pulling everyone over and giving them warnings. I have a feeling they will be back to hand out tickets next time. So fair warning to anyone using that pathway for the rest of the summer. I wonder if they'll catch the e-bike guy who does 60, and I wonder what the ticket for that is?
I believe there's a 10km
Submitted by Argus on
I believe there's a 10km sign posted just before where the pedestrian and reg. pathway merged. I was doing around 25km, when I saw the by-law officers truck parked near some trees, about 100 yards from where they were, so I knew something was up and slowed down to 15km.
Likely see more
Submitted by BCDon on
of them out. In response to the lady who got T-Boned by the roller blader. The city figures it now needs to more rigorously enforce it's pathway limits.
One of the issues with the 10KPH limit is that unless you are sitting up looking all over the place you won't see the signs, they are at the level you'd see if you were driving a car. On most bikes, you are in somewhat of a streamlined position and focusing on the hazards of the MUP and just won't see them. One day on my commute I deliberately kept looking for signs and was surprised at the number of 10KPH signs I saw.
But, if they don't want me doing over 20KPH them I'll take to the road. I wonder how the city would take it if cyclists took over the right lane of Memorial in the morning coming into town. After all, if I can't exceed 20KPH on the pathway, I guess I have to take the road and because cars won't give me room I have to "take the lane" on the right. And, with the number of bikes that are on that route it should be VERY interesting. Oh and add to that if a bike is passing another bike they have to take the next lane over, even if it takes a couple of minutes to pass.
Uuurrrgh
Submitted by winterrider on
So far as the speed signs, I was thinking about them and the ones that I see on the bike path are smaller than the ones you see on roadways. I'm not sure if this is a trick of the mind or not, but they should probably put larger sighs on the bike path.
So far as Memorial Dr is concerned, I have been thinking about this as well. I may ride it all the way in one morning when I'm feeling fast and just see how it goes.
There is an on road alternative to go in on 5th avenue, but it's a detour with long lights at Crowchild. Even so, I was taking this route in the spring until they tore up a critical piece of roadway that let me avoid the 60km/h zone on Memorial just east of Shaganappi. When they did that I went back to the bike path. I was getting honked at on about 1 out of 4 trips down that stretch of road, but now it seems I'm stuck with it.
I saw somewhere a thread where someone was on a steering committee for cycling infrastructure, but now I can't find that thread. Can anyone point me to it as I have some suggestions to put forth.
Got a warning too
Submitted by mercator on
The threatened ticket is $50. I guess I will go back to the 5th ave route for a while.
What about SHaganappi?
Submitted by winterrider on
I don't know how far you ride along the river, but if like me you start on the far side of Shaganappi, what do you plan to do riding through there?
I come out of Bowness on Bowness Road, so I will probably end up on Memorial and take a left on 35a street. I'm not crazy about this route though, too many drivers hate to see a cyclist there.
I go right through
Submitted by mercator on
Here is that portion of my route.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3958104
The bit from Shaganappi to Veterans Way requires good timing and a bit of speed but I usually don't have any problems with it.
Thanks mercator
Submitted by winterrider on
Couple quick questions.
Do you have to hop the curb off of veterans way or do you go on the sidewalk after you turn left? Do get a lot of flack from drivers here? I did this route for about week and had numerous aggressive drivers, (including two who were life threatening), was this just a bad week?
Finally, when heading west, do you filter by the cars if there is a red light on Shag, or do you take the lane? I ask as one of life threatening moves was a guy who swerved at me just past the light because he saw me filter past him. He actually stopped and told me he did this on purpose specifically because I filtered (yes I should have reported him but I wasn't thinking straight).
Yep
Submitted by mercator on
I jump the curb and go through the church parking lot. As for drivers, I can't say I have any problems, but:
a) I am a fairly assertive rider, and
b) I go pretty fast.
I sometime have to filter at shag on the way home, but usually I just time it right.
Good to know you have no
Submitted by winterrider on
Good to know you have no troubles.
I am also assertive and somewhat fast. My hesitancy is because in 4 days of riding on that stretch of road I had two supersized pickups come screaming up behind me before laying on the horn once they were 5 feet off my back wheel. Way less hassle on the bike paths.
If they've stayed there all day..
Submitted by jondub on
.... I will be pretty impressed given the current climatic conditions.
Pay it Forward
Submitted by Orange on
Some dude warned me of the speed trap this morning and most likely saved me a ticket.
I'll pay it forward today (maybe buy some of my co-workers a coffee) and suggest that we all do this next time we see a speed trap.
This misuse of very limited municipal tax dollars is amazing when you consider how many people are too scared to take the C-train or walk anywhere near the Eastend of downtown.
I’ll start to take the laws seriously when they are reasonable and applied equally to all user group, until then I’ll view them as what they are – a joke.
Path speed limits aren't that crazy.
Submitted by winterrider on
Although I usually do 30 to 35, I always slow down when I see kids, dogs or anyone else who looks unpredictable. And in these scenarios 20km/h seems like a good speed limit. So I happen to sagree with the speed limit on the MUPS (yes I know how hypocritical this sounds). As I hope to one day take my kids cycling on there, I'll be pretty annoyed at anyone who is speeding past us (and there are lots of cyclists who don't slow down ever).
We have to remember that the MUPS were originally intended to recreational. The real problem is a complete lack of good commuter solutions. Exhibit A is the mass of cyclists blazing down the MUP every morning ignoring the speed limits (I'd say at least 95% of the bikes I see are going over 20).
i avoid pathways...
Submitted by swak on
i avoid pathways like the plague for this very reason.
People are idiots at every time of the day (except most early morning commutes(6am)).
When its not the other pathway users, its the bylaw punks, when its not them.... Druh????
Ive taken the pathways maybe half a dozen times of all my commutes this year, and BY FAR enjoy my 10th street to 5th ave commute far more... Make all the pathway initiatives you want, as a guy with a good background in road cycling, that is what im going to stick to.
I understand
Submitted by BCDon on
what the bylaw officers are doing and in fact I am sympathetic towards them. The problem lies with the city NOT planning appropriate infrastructure and in a vain attempt to appease to the masses (imprisoned car drivers), they go after cyclist who are very much the minority.
The city is worried about more little old ladies getting hit and so will enforce the MUP speed limits and will erect more 10KPH signs in any area of congestion. It is far cheaper to put in a 10KPH sign than to correct the sight / congestion issues.
The laws are in fact being enforced to protect the minority (walkers in this case) and to not infringe on the rights of the majority (cage dwellers). Unfortunately us poor cyclists are caught in the middle.
Pretty well every commuting cyclist has disobyed numerous bylaws (over 20KPH on MUP, on sidewalk riding between pathway X and Y, not using a bell etc. etc. etc.) because we believe that the laws are not conducive to cycling (and they are aren't). This is precisely what happens in a society where the laws "don't make sense" as Orange pointed out.
Maybe it is time to take to the road and exercise our full rights there in rush hour traffic and see if that makes a difference in how fast the city starts to come up with alternative transportation plans and puts them into effect although I'd be concerned that they'd then just ban bicycles.
So, I'll continue to flaunt the laws and hope that over time things improve. The Bylaw officers aren't out very often and once you know where they will likey be you can either avoid those areas or go slow for a few hundred meters and then speed up again - at least that'll be my plan.
Oh so tempting
Submitted by winterrider on
I'd really like to ride down Memorial. I'm just a little concerned about being killed though (particularly between 14th St and Crowchild when they all want to go 80). Any suggestion on how to get over this fear BCDon?
Safety in numbers
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
I would be keen on a group ride on Memorial on that stretch, take the entire right lane all the way from 29th street to 10th or beyond......I am usually riding that area between 7:15 and 7:30 but can head out earlier if it means hooking up with a group of riders.
warning
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
I also was stopped at the above mentioned location this morning, and my first comment was "If I'm speeding, that's a compliment". When the officer told me my "radar speed" I gleefully said "REALLY!!"...he tried hard not to smile but pointed out the 10K limit at the merger of the 2 paths, I said "I did not know that" and thanked him, riding off I tho't ...where the heck is there a sign that says 10K. My take away was that I impressed myself with my speed!! hahhah...if you saw my bike you'd get why I'm so happy about that.
Suggestion
Submitted by Orange on
I have a suggestion - don't do it.
Getting hit by a car just to prove a point is not very smart and I can assure you that you'll not get any sympathy in a courtroom – assuming you survive and the Cop actually bothers to write up the driver (most likely a ‘I didn’t seem him’ defence will be all the driver will need).
Just keep riding the pathway and vent on this forum.
Couple of other points to consider when venting:
(a) The Lady who was hit on the pathway was hit by a rollerblader, which is a pathway user who does not have effective brakes. There is no correlation to cyclists and this is just being used by pathway Power Trippers to justify their unjustifiable by-laws.
(b) The average Calgarian would agree that this is a waste of resources and would be embarrassed to hear that their City is actually promoting this sort of law enforcement.
Lower the speed limit on Memorial
Submitted by winterrider on
If they have to lower the speed for cyclists on the pathway to accomodate pedestrians, why not lower the speed limit on Memorial to accomodate cyclists?
There are only two sketchy bits, one from Shag to 35 street at 60km/h which is only 4 blocks, and another from Crowchild to 14 street at 70km/h which is only 1.5 km long and ends up in a traffic snarl at the end anyway (so there is really no point to going fast.
If the limit was 50 then I think it would be safe to cycle on. Maybe we should lobby the city for this. Or better yet a dedicated bicycle lane along Memorial.
Memorial
Submitted by RichieRich on
I would support a group ride along Memorial at rushour provided more than 5 people show up.
Doing away with the median along Memorial would certainly provide more space, but at considerable extra cost and controversy.
My 6yr old does more than 10km/hr. seriously.
These low speed limits are another reason I usually ride my MTB w/ knobbies... more resistance forces me to go slower. But lets not forget that we mostly get Westerly winds so coming into downtown from Bowness area means a healthy push. Even w/ MTB & knobbies I usually average ~30km/hr over my commute (includes roads) and that's not pushing it too hard either according to my heart-rate monitor (~135-140bpm heart rate).
What controversy?
Submitted by winterrider on
How much time and effort did they put into redoing the median along memorial between centre street and 10th street just as a beatification project? It looks great by the way. Why not carry on all the way to Crowchild and make a space for bikes while they're at it?
Monday Memorial Ride?
Submitted by swak on
Monday??
Lets hit 'er up.
I would only be able to make it if its a 6am ride though.
I'll go out of my way to ride over to bowness to get the full stretch of memorial in there too if enough people are down.
Sounds like fun... and for possibly a good promotion.
Venting.
Submitted by BCDon on
While I have vented frequently on this site, individual riders safety is more important than getting the city to change its rules and laws. Also, I don't commute along Memorial so while I did suggest protesting it's not something that I'd be doing (seeing as I work in the NE now, nowhere close to Memorial). I'm fighting my own battles along Southland and some parts of Barlow (under Memorial Drive).
I would caution people to be very careful in any ride they do which interferes with what Calgary Drivers figure is their god given right.
A few years ago I was riding my motorbike and was stopped at a light. The pickup truck behind me bumped me from the rear, deliberatly. I got off my bike, walked back 2 feet and placed my foot into his front grill. I then went back to my bike and just as I got on he pushed with his truck knocking both my bike and myself to the ground. He then stated that I had "cut him off" earlier. The point here being that the cage dwellers are well protected and think nothing of cutting us off, hitting us, dooring us, throwing things at us and in general placing our lives in serious danger. We are very small, they are very large, we will loose in any confrontation.
However, a safe way of doing this would be to have a group of cyclists, even 1, followed by a car that doesn't pass. Now, no chance of getting hit from behind. Add to that, having their 4-way flashers on and it might work. Just a thought.
A chase car...
Submitted by bclark on
If this goes off, I think the 'chase car' idea is a good thought. A sign on the back suggesting that cyclists are part of our transport network and problems drivers have with them can be alleviated by writing their alderman demanding better cycling infrastructure would be a useful addition. My only other thought is that anyone participating in this would have to ride precisely to the rules of the road, i.e. not filter, neglect to signal, etc.
I too think the 10km/h speed limit is ridiculous based on actually riding that speed where it is posted. I can see a valid argument about slowing down to that speed when passing young kids on bikes but I can see absolutely no point in bylaw ticketing someone for doing 20-30km/h when there is no-one else nearby. 40 or 50km/h, yeah, that's reason for a warning or ticket on the pathway.
And another thought
Submitted by BCDon on
Receive a velocity award and go and fight it. Admit that you were exceeding the MUP speed limit but do need to get into work in a reasonable time and 10KPH isn't reasonable. As such, does the (judge / lawyer / city) RECOMMEND that we travel on the road?
Although they'd likely either state that wasn't what this was about or would tell us to do whatever we think we need to do and not take any responsibility.
Ultimately I still think the answer is to do what we've been doing all along and just be wary during enforcement times.