How was your ride today (June 11 - June 15)

Submitted by gyrospanner on

The sun was tryyyying to come out when I rode in, but it looks good now.


 


Maybe a good day for a "nooner."

Forums: 

first bike signal + bike box

Submitted by snowandscience on

This goes in last week's "how was your ride" but I just forgot to write about it. 

1 - bike signal on 10th St NW / 16th Ave was amazing - got a head start on the SB traffic as an opposing bus came through the intersection. Felt a little naughty getting glares from drivers who though I was running a red. Maybe some signage there would be good to show that we're not doing anything illegal? 

2 - after getting the advanced cycle green, I was in a good mood, so I used the bike box at 5th Ave / 10th St NW for the first time. Positively pleasant experience. While it was a little bit slower than my usual "take the lane on Louise bridge into the core" route, it was very pleasant and with some education, would be great for the "interested but concerned" cyclists. I think most cyclists in this group would have no idea how to use the bike box, so maybe some educational efforts are needed here too. 

Either way, great "out of my way" ride home only added 5 minutes to my usual 20 minute commute, and was much much less stressful than riding with the cars in my usual way. 

Happy Monday! 

Ben

It's different here

Submitted by RichieRich on

Was in Paris last week with my wife for vacation, situated pretty much central where all the traffic and Bike Velibs are situated.  I didn't ride any bikes unfortunately, but certainly was extremely interested in how they were accomodated.  The Velibs, their stations, and the amount of usage they got was truely eye-opening and I sincerely wish that the Calgary environment would support this concept.  Everyone imaginable would use these "shared" bicycles - from spiffy-suited execs, to hippies, to too-short-skirted gals, to the common Frenchy.  These Velibs are "free" to use for up to 30mins, then very low costs beyond that.


What was fantastic was that cycling is 100% accepted as one the few primary means of transportation (others being Metro, driving, scooters, or walking).  Road route marking as well as designated areas were extensive (when it existed).  Scooters and bikes were considered mutual equals in every sense - that includes parking, road usage, even sidewalk usage, or designated "walking" or "biking" areas. 


What was most impressive was that EVERYONE had pretty much the same philosophy of: live and let live.  In other words boundaries were somewhat respected, movement by any means was expected and so nobody was surprised. I did not hear anyone yelling or performing about anyones behavior.  Honestly, and this may seem odd, but all the rules and regs we're applying here may actually be creating more division and friction between the various users. (yes I know us Calgary cyclists/commuters are in general fighting for acceptance and the fundamental right to accepted)


Even though I didn't ride there, I brought back with me the relaxed approach the Parisiens take towards commuting : relax, do your thing, be safe but follow convention, don't worry about other people.  My first bike ride (and commute) in 3.5 weeks this morning into work was very relaxing... hope it's the same this evening during the daily "Bow 500 World Championships".


 


Velib links: 1.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A9lib'       2. http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-bike-rentals.htm

I love Velib!

Submitted by DragonBeanie on

I was in Paris in April, and one of the things on my to-do list was to use the Velibs.  I loved them!  The sign-out system was quick and simple, stations were everywhere (at least it felt like it when I wasn't riding one....one prob I ran into was finding a station when I wanted to park it), and it was a fabulous way to see Paris.  Dirt cheap too!  The bikes were also very comfortable to ride and well-maintained.  I was fearing a' tragedy of the commons' approach to the care of these bikes, but was impressed when I saw a Velib maintenance vehicle driving around the check on them!  And as Rich said, everyone was using them and I saw no signs of road rage at all.  All types of traffic (cars, bikes, scooters, etc.) just seemed to flow together harmoniously.

One thing that my Velib experience made me realize even more was the importance of having bike infrastructure in place if a city wants to launch a bike-share program.  I was cycling with someone who wasn't as comfortable cycling in traffic as I was, so I tried to seek out areas with bike lanes or bike crossings, which were not hard to find in Paris!  So now I feel much more strongly that a bike-share system in Calgary would only be successful with decent cycling infrastructure....which I believe is the viewpoint of Bike Calgary?

I usually take 10 St up the

Submitted by Richard Z on

I usually take 10 St up the hill toward the university, btu I was late today, so I sprinted up the steeper but more direct route along 17A and 19 St.  17A is ripped up at the bottom of the hill, so be careful if you zap down it.  You'll have to jump the curb and get around the construction through the grass.

Oops....

Submitted by asiawalker on

I am ashamed to say I finally lost my temper at a driver today, for the first time in my very young 2 month old commuting career.
This was at the top of the hill just past Confed Park on 10th street. A lady in a red car cut me off, close enough that I had to slam on the brakes to avoid a potentially messy collision, then rolled down her window as I biked by and shouted a number of obscenities at me. Normally I laugh at these people (she was, by then, stuck in traffic, and I wasn't! why be angry!) but today I twisted around and showed her my favourite finger.
I feel terrible about it now, but I'll just take some deep breaths next time and remember that everyone is just trying to get home.

(Bike) Traffic Jam

Submitted by Smokey Crow on

Lots of people on bikes today! There was a group of 5 of us at the red light on 26 Avenue and 37 Street - most I've ever seen and felt more like a planned group ride sans the tweed. It is great to see more people on bikes and I imagine that this will only become more common - booya!

Stanley Park

Submitted by SpeedyJ on

Last year they set up in Stanley Paark a few times where the speed limit is only 10km. Of course it's only marked on one of the three approaches so it's easy to miss. Watch yourselves through here.

A few tips....

Submitted by SpeedyJ on

A few tips for some of the fair weather riders that have appeared this week -

1. Put your seat up.

2. No really, it's too low.

3. Your bike should be quiet, if it is not, it needs adjustments and/or chain lube. We all forget once in a while, but I've been hearing stuff out there that hasn't been touched in decades. Plus dropping your chain in moving traffic can be dangerous.

4. If it's 15C and sunny you don't need storm gear.

5. If it's 5C and sunny it's still nice to wear a shirt.

6. Don't ride in the gutter, it degrades us all.

7. Put some air in your tubes, you'll go faster with fewer flats.

8. Don't shoal at stop lights, line up nicely and pass when it's safe.

 

None of this is meant to dicourage people from riding, but rather to make the expirience a bit more enjoable - for them and me.

Always amazed

Submitted by SpeedyJ on

I ride south from Mission in the mornings and I'm always amazed at the varity of approaches that cyclist have at Elbow and Missin Rd/4th St.

 

If there are four cyclists one will ride on the sidewalk, a second will wait for the green behind stopped traffic, the third will filter up in front of stopped traffic and the fourth one will split the lane before cutting to the riht onto the path in front of stopped traffic.

 

I wouldn't bet money on what any individual might do.

One more...

Submitted by j2fraser on

9. Take a good look at those white bike shorts you wore last year. Either think about replacing them with some black ones or, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE WEAR SOME UNDERWEAR.

lol on the storm gear

Submitted by theorangejacket on

I'm totally guilty of that.  I'm an all year round cyclist and for some reason I have a big problem letting go of that "dress for raging snow storm" thing in the morning and then I arrive at work swimming in sweat with my bulging backpack jammed with jettisoned clothing.

 

LOL X10 on "Storm Gear"

Submitted by gyrospanner on

I rode in in just a pair of shorts and a windprooof vest this morning, but I did pass a coupe of people wearing winter jackets!!!


 


I hate hauling stuff home in the afternoon......

To be fair

Submitted by SpeedyJ on

To be fair, I'm in the habit of wearing the same system day after day - baggy knickers and a heavy wool jersey. it just happens to split the difference between no shirt and storm gear. I'm rarely way over or way under dressed, saves me from having to think or check the weather in th a.m..

Rude Drivers on 10th Ave SW

Submitted by math4life on

Too many drivers are impatient waiting for cyclists to go straight at an intersection or through a narrow lane beside a construction site. Some swerve into opposing traffic to pass cyclists (crossing a solid line is illegal). Many drivers will swerve around other drivers waiting to turn. This is dangerous. Some driver trying to turn left is going to be hit by the driver swerving into the parking lane and zooming through the intersection. Now who's at fault? 10th Ave is a two lane road, not a four lane one! Let cyclist ride in the curb lane during rush hour. Give them room to ride 1m from the parking lane during other times to avoid being clobbered by a motorist open their door.

Biking in lightning

Submitted by DragonBeanie on

I'm watching the storm roll in and seeing a lot of lightning.  Does anyone know if there are any scientific studies showing that cyclists are or are not at an increased risk for being struck by lightning?

Just Don't

Submitted by gyrospanner on

Ride with your golf clubs slung over your shoulder!

Today, I had to go up to the NE at lunch, and as I was riding up the Nose Hill Creek pathway around 16th Avenue, I noticed that there was a really dark cloud that was running north-south. I thought I heard some thunder way to the south and then a few minutes later, I got the the flash-sizzle-BOOM!!! of a nearby strike. The lightning bolt shot to the north, and I could see another branch to the west that probably hit the ground somewhere....

I thought "OOPS, that was right over me!" I went to my meeting and when I came home, it was pissin' down!

Lucky for me, I keep spares shorts & socks in my desk drawer...

9 Avenue SE

Submitted by Oggie on

Calgary Police were busy this afternoon pulling over motorists caught driving in the transit/bicycle lane. Nice to see some enforcement.

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