Nice ride up 10 St NW, getting counted. Downpour on the way down, got a bit wet, and the survey takers had retreated to their cars.
Other than that? It's Cyclepalooza week, so check the calendar at http://cyclepalooza.ca/ for bikey things to do in the evening, in the morning, or during the day.
PS: I love these things: http://www.rainlegs.com/
How's the flooding? I hear Zoo section of Bow river MUP is a no-go.
Bylaw officers were stationed
Submitted by RyanC on
Bylaw officers were stationed out on the south side of the Bow River near 14th St SW on Monday after work. They were positioned behind a blind corner targetting westbound riders, however the bylaw truck was in plain view of anyone approaching the area from downtown. Found it tough to slow down to 20, but rolled through at 23 km/hr with no ticket.
Bylaw
Submitted by RichieRich on
They were still there about 6pm last night as I rolled out of work. Thanks especially to the Good Samaritan for giving me a heads-up (I also saw the truck). Made me realize, again, how painfully slow 20km/hr is on a false-flat downhill with no wind. Granted that area is typically busier and twisty/turny. Some cyclist was "having a conversation" with one of the 2 officers there (ie getting a velocity-award). My guess is they Bylaw will be out and about for a few weeks. Been a couple years since I've seen the Bylaw out on the MUPS with their yellow mopeds. (saw this on Nosecreek a few years back).
20 kms
Submitted by umgray on
Try 10 kms where I always see them at the Rocky View Hospital. Its basically a trackstand, the smokers were walking faster and passing me!
10kph is slower than my long run pace...
Submitted by bike-run on
It's sad that the limit in "congested areas" is slower than many people run, and I very seldom see a bike going <10.
Good ride in today.. finally
Submitted by birchy on
Good ride in today.. finally remembered to raise my seat up a bit higher than it has been the last while. What a difference!
Good Ride In, Wet Ride Home.
Submitted by gyrospanner on
Just checked the Enviro-Canada Radar - there is sure a lot of green and a few yellow spots. There were a few yellow spots that went north along the foothills and I just heard on the radio that the Highwood and Sheep Roivers are on a floodwatch...
I intentionally wore some shorts that need washing so I could get a pre-soak in before I throw them in the wash tonight.
Pissed
Submitted by DD on
Watching the cyclist ahead of me westbound on 10 Ave. SW get clipped (rear triangle/wheel) by a car turning left from eastbound 10 Ave. to northbound 4 St. SW. He had a green light and was wearing a hi vis jacket. I was still on the green light coming behind him and watched the car that had just hit him not even bother to slow down to see if he was okay. He didn't sound interested in pursuing the matter further. Too bad there were no CPS out in their usual spots around 4 St. on 10 Ave. today, they could have had a hit and run.
Our own worst enemies
Submitted by mdr on
This morning riding into the core from the west I thought I'd check out the nifty new pathway transition at 3rd ave and 8th street. I was horrified to watch one cyclist (shortly followed by two more) go blasting through on the left hand side of the intersection and then filter over to the right hand side of the street about halfway down the block! As cyclists we're never going to get respect from drivers until we start riding in a predictable manner (ie: follow the basic rules of the road). That's the kind of crap that gives us all a bad rap.
I wonder if those guys drive their cars like that!
Rant over. :-)
respect
Submitted by 2wheeler on
it's hard to understand what infraction the cyclists commited from your desciption. Transitions from pathways to roads can certainly be confusing for all users.
Confused.
Submitted by mercator on
It sounds like the cyclist have the right of way and the cars aren't stopping at the (new) stop sign.
Am I missing something?
Daily use
Submitted by sherryrunswest on
I ride there every morning and it is a definite improvement however since the signs went up (the stop signs and other signs just below that I haven't taken the time to go see what they say) I have noticed no one stop as of yet, not even an attempt to slow down (I see this as I'm approaching the street so no close calls). I have always slowed down here and looked both ways before crossing and I still do now even though cyclists have the right of way. It is only a 2 way stop for the N/S traffic and so far at the time I cross (6-6:15am) the stops are largely ignored by motorists.
Me confused, Too
Submitted by gyrospanner on
I'm assuming that the cyclists were eastbound and the cars headed north had the stop sign.
If I'm correct, I could see the arguments that could occur after a collision -
"I stopped, and he entered the intersection after me,therefore I'm not at fault."
"Since when do I have to yield to traffic coming off the sidewalk?"
"This should be a 4-Way Stop if bikes are to be acknowledged."
Etc. Etc. Blah Blah Blah
I have to run an errand at lunch and I will be sure to check the new layout.
Layout 8/3
Submitted by bclark on
I ride this regularly. When they first did the work they put in temporary 4-way stops on all roadways, including the bike path. They've since taken out the stop signs for WB motorists/cyclists (i.e. travelling from 3rd Ave onto the pathway) and EB cyclists (i.e. travelling from the pathway onto 3rd Ave). Any traffic travelling north on 8th Street or south on 8th Street must stop at the intersection. This gives bikes priority, though I still slow down and procede cautiously to make sure that motorists are aware of the change.
I'm still confused
Submitted by gyrospanner on
As I said earlier, maybe there could be some signs saying "yield to cyclists" or something. I'm really at a loss as to what could be done to make that intersection safer....
Intersection Layout
Submitted by bclark on
Here are a couple pics from the intersection of 3rd and 8th that I snapped yesterday.
The pathway leading into the intersection is slightly offset relative to what's left of the yellow line. It's pretty straightforward though as far as how bikes are to proceed and signage is pretty clear that north-south traffic has to stop.
I sat there for a while to see how this intersection is working and noticed(1) cars, as in the second picture, pull forward into the intersection and block the access to the path, (2) cyclists approaching the intersection from the east get squeezed by the curb extension along westbound 3rd Ave, (3) northbound cyclists on 8th occasionally run the stop sign.
I did see one eastbound cyclist this morning who rode to the far left of the new intersection, up onto the sidewalk on the north side of 3rd Ave. and then off the curb onto 3rd Ave. I have no idea why this person did so because there were no cars on the road except a few waiting to turn east on 3rd off northbound 8th. Maybe this person likes riding on sidewalks and hopping off curbs?!
Anyway, in case anyone wanted a visual.
Great improvement!
Submitted by billrennie on
I use this daily, and it works well. But keep your eyes on the north bound cars turning East ignoring their Stop sign.
thanks for the pics, very
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
thanks for the pics, very helpful. I note also in photo #1 a westbound cyclist in the pedestrian crosswalk - again, why? I think a 3 way traffic stop would be helpful here, meaning all motor vehicles would have to stop before proceeding in any direction. Given the number of pedestrians and cyclists using this route and connecting to the regional pathway that would not be too much to ask.
That stupid bush
Submitted by gyrospanner on
NEEDS TO GO!
(the one on the left side of the picture)
Filtering
Submitted by RyanC on
I'm not a big fan of filtering - I find it discourteous to drivers and pedestrians if the crosswalk is blocked, and it's potentially unsafe for myself if drivers chose not to yield to the cyclist. Today I was riding behind a Hummer H2 on 3rd St (a low priority roadway, so the green lights are short and infrequent) and sucking in his fumes at every single red light... the temptation to filter up has never been higher!
I overheard a conversation last week where a woman was complaining to another that since she started her new job her parking space downtown was costing her $500/month. Can't help but roll your eyes to that one. That's a new bike every few months! :)
It is illegal isn't it.
Submitted by billrennie on
Filtering or lane splitting is illegal and is one of the activities that gives cyclists a bad reputation. It's ok to do it next to the parking lane, but watch for the doors.
Misinformation
Submitted by 2wheeler on
Simply stating that filtering is illegal doesn't make it so. There is nowhere in the Traffic Safety Act that states that a bicycle can't use the space available to it. On the contrary Section 22 of the Act specifically states that a vehicle may pass on the right if there is room to do so. There is absolutely nothing wrong with riding up the right side of a bunch of stop and go traffic. Nor is there anything wrong or illegal about riding your bike between vehicles if one of the lanes is a turn lane and the other proceeds straight (such as 10 Ave SW at 14th St).
When you refer to "Lane Splitting" I assume you mean 15(6) of the Use of the Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation. This rule prohibits occupying two lanes except when "passing another vehicle". Clearly this rule doesn't apply when passing vehicles in stop and go traffic.
CS
Submitted by DarrenB on
I think common sense rules applies best to filtering on the right:
Caveat
Submitted by winterrider on
The one thing you have to be hyper aware of in this situation is if a car that you think isn't moving, or is moving very slowly, suddenly gets to the driveway/street they were waiting for and turns right. In the absence of a bike lane there is almost no chance they will check for oncoming bikes first.
Also there is the potential for dooring if a passenger suddenly hops out of the car.
Yes!
Submitted by DarrenB on
Yes, absolutely. The right-hook vulnerability is a particularly significant concern. Perhaps I should have added above that if you are in the curb lane where traffic can be expected to turn right, I feel the safest thing to do is always take the lane and not filter. Actually, filtering-up aside, one should just take the lane in such a situation regardless -- even if you are moving at the same speed or slower than the car traffic, riding right next to the curb is a very, very bad place to be in traffic if any of those cars are likely to turn right. Lots of people do it, though -- to me it seems like a collision just waiting to happen.
Courier style
Submitted by billrennie on
Filtering makes you look like a courier.
General Guidelines
Submitted by bclark on
If I'm riding up on a line of cars turning left I may pass on the right to continue onwards, provided there is space. Likewise, if I am coming up on a line of cars turning right, I may pass on the left to continue straight, again, provided there is space. I guess the way I look at it is that I move to the right to allow cars to pass me when I am going slower, i.e. between intersections, so moving ahead of cars when I am faster, i.e. when I can take advantage of my smaller size to get through, isn't a big deal. Likewise, if there is a line of cars going in the same direction as me, I may pass on the right provided I have ongoing clearance to stay in that position. These guidelines seem to work for me in most situations. I've always found the exhaust issue a tough one, i.e. should put my health at risk by sitting in behind a vehicle belching out toxins (note: recently saw an article on that diesel fumes are carcinogenic...sorry...no link and no level of exposure information)?
filtering is the new black...
Submitted by critninja on
...at least it is for me on 14 st sw between 10 ave and the river.
I usually ride between the the two travel lanes when they are basically parked so I do not have to ride on the very narrow sidewalk.
Ride on sidewalk, piss of walkers. Filter through traffic, piss off motorists. I choose to keep my walking bretheren happy over motorists who are never happy about bikes no matter what we are doing.
yipeee traffic
Submitted by umgray on
Today was one of those days where i was glad I was on a bike. Anderson had a wrek and was nuts, 14th steet nuts, glenmore and elbow was nuts and the pathways - clear sailing but picking worm guts out of my fenders will be another story.
I had that same feeling...
Submitted by seacloud on
This morning, I was a little later than usual and got to see quite a snarl on Eastbound Memorial Dr. (Parkdale Blvd.) just west of where it goes under Crowchild. Someone had plowed into the light standard just before the underpass. CPS and CFD were at the scene rerouting traffic. Back a little further west, there had also been a chain-reaction 3-car rear ender accident, likely due to not paying attention to the slowed traffic ahead.
As @umgray said, clear sailing for me, notwithstanding worm guts!
MEMORIAL THIS MORNING
Submitted by gyrospanner on
THAT WAS NUTS!
The traffic was backed waaaay up to the west, back to Shaganappi. I always wonder if anybody sitting there in their car sees me sail past and thinks "Hmmmm, maybe I should try riding my bike some day..."
Yes they do!
Submitted by furey on
That was me a few years ago! Stuck in traffic, watching cyclists cruise by, thinking "I wish I could bike to work" eventually followed by "wait a minute, why can't I bike to work"! Best decision EVER!
I ride that same route and
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
I ride that same route and saw that car entagled with the light post - the emergency folks had created an interesting detour but yes, those drivers not paying attention were gonna' get their morning wake up call! Glad to be on my bike on the pathway and sailing past it all.
That's the highlight of my day!
Submitted by mdr on
Zooming past all the cars stuck/crawling on E.bound Memorial each morning!
Windy Day
Submitted by albertabeef on
Decided to take a ride ... Went west - which is both uphill and into the headwind. Made for hard work ... Averaged all of 21km/h until I was exhausted.
Turned around, rode back averaging over 50, lol. Fun ride.
Just wondering, were you
Submitted by bike-run on
Just wondering, were you "averaging over 50" on the MUP?
No, I never speed on the Calgary pathways...
Submitted by albertabeef on
Nope, I live in Airdrie... I was riding on Big Hill Springs road... I sometimes ride into Calgary also - and when I do I either stay on the roads, or when on the pathway do my best to go the speed limit - usually... I've been known to go faster on Nose Creek though...
Bike Lanes
Submitted by Chealion on
Finally got to try the 10th Ave Bike lanes when they're actual Bike lanes. 4 or 5 parked cars east of 4th St SW, but now I get bike lanes - infinitely nicer to use.
Lots of Riding
Submitted by Smokey Crow on
With Cyclepalooza in full gear I have been doing lots of riding this week and with nothing but sun in the forcast for the rest of the week I am sure to do lots more. Enjoyed riding Crowchild yesterday, lots of room for bikes (south of the bridge crossing the Bow River) and quick!!!!
Yesterday I had an appt at
Submitted by Julie Gregg on
Yesterday I had an appt at PLC so rode to work as usual in the morning then hopped on my bike to head over there. The Google map showing the bike route was super helpful - more helpful was a friend who rides in to downtown from that area and was able to give me tips about where the closures were due to the river overflow. All in all went OK, I got a little messed up when I got near Sunridge Mall and ended up riding thro' the parking lot! sheesh. Headed home to Parkdale after the appt and faced that nasty headwind, but was so grateful to have that pathway almost the entire trip - my good gosh, why would anyone drive their vehicle?
3,000 kms so far in 2012
Submitted by Rawhyde on
Beautiful ride in this morning. Today I pass the 3,000 km mark for commuting to work this year.
Fell off
Submitted by amf673 on
I was out for a ride along Nose Creek this morning, took a sharp corner and the bike slid out from under me! A bit of road rash and I think a brusied rib. Turns out the front tire was going flat so it couldn't hold the turn.
It is a pain getting from the Bow River pathawys to the Nose Creek pathways with the flooded pathways. A woman coming throught the closed section told us the water was up above her ankles, but she was wearing gum boots, so she was fine!
Otherwise, a very nice day for riding.
Went to pick up pathway maps
Submitted by Richard Z on
Went to pick up pathway maps at the Inglewood Bird sanctuary. South side of the Bow River pathway flooded at the train bridge, so took the streets. Beautiful riding weather, the only damper was the idiot in the truck on 10 St NW who wasvery vocal that I shouldn't be on the road.
Fantastic
Submitted by ianphilthompson on
Ride was great, as per usual. Wind heading westbound wasn't great, but the eastbound portion of the ride was fun.
My son (he's 15) and I rode last night...
Submitted by albertabeef on
Last night I rode with my son - he's usually just into mountain biking, so getting him out on the road was nice... We didn't go far, just a little 25km ride out and back from home... it was pretty far for HIM though as his longest ride in the past year is the 6 minutes it takes him to get to school...
As per my norm we rode west - about 266m of elevation gain in the first half of the ride, then turn around and zoom home... It was nice except for the mosquitos that were keeping up with us on the steep hill...
Cyclepalooza party tonight!
Submitted by Richard Z on
Will be staffing the Bike Calgary info table by the Riverwalk all afternoon (Riverfront / 1 St SE) -- come by to buy a T-shirt! -- and then off to bike ride and party with the Cyclepalooza crowd at the AREA.