Bicyclists win one

[matapule]

As an avid bicyclist, matapule was happy to read the Transportation Secretary's proposal for alternate means of transportation. Can't wait to see the Tea Baggers call this another socialist plot!

But look at the photo! POTUS is NOT wearing his bicycle helmet! Matapule going to give POTUS some whack whacks! Please wear your helmets, amigos.

[bjd392]

Re: Bicyclists win one

Shouldn't that include motorcycles as well?

[bjd392]

Re: Bicyclists win one

I wonder if the freeways are going to take down those signs on the onramps that say: "No pedestrians, bicycles or motorized scooters under 5 HP."

I would love to see a bicyclist daring enough to try to use the shoulder lane in rush hour on H-1.

[matapule]

Re: Bicyclists win one

Shouldn't that include motorcycles as well?

If you will read the article, it does.

[matapule]

Re: Bicyclists win one

I wonder if the freeways are going to take down those signs on the onramps that say: "No pedestrians, bicycles or motorized scooters under 5 HP."

I would love to see a bicyclist daring enough to try to use the shoulder lane in rush hour on H-1.

And there's the rub. Why should public right-of-ways be reserved for automobiles only? Public right-of-ways should include safe options for alternate transportation. Read the article. That's what the proposal is all about.

[MyopicJoe]

Re: Bicyclists win one

If we want pedestrian and bicycle transportation to have more weight, I'm guessing we need to change the way we design and develop our residential / business zones. We'll have to get rid of suburbs (horizontal living) and make people live in high rises (vertical living). Somehow get people to live closer to their place of work, and if they change jobs, they'll need to change homes.

As for our already developed areas, we can either 1) sacrifice the current traffic lanes for sidewalks and bike lines, or 2) exercise eminent domain and force home owners to give up part of their land for more road space.

Bicyclist in the California Bay Area are very reckless. They'll speed through intersections without obeying stop signs, seemingly without looking, forcing cars to stop for them. A kind of reverse form of violence, as they assert their way of life into a world not designed for them.

[Frankie's Market]

Re: Bicyclists win one

If we want pedestrian and bicycle transportation to have more weight, I'm guessing we need to change the way we design and develop our residential / business zones. We'll have to get rid of suburbs (horizontal living) and make people live in high rises (vertical living). Somehow get people to live closer to their place of work, and if they change jobs, they'll need to change homes.

Joe, you touch upon the phenomenon of what is known as "urban sprawl." The fact that so many people use the freeways every day to get to work/school on Oahu is a definite sign of poor urban planning. It's easy to say, "People should just move to a home closer to their jobs." But there are economic realities for everyone to deal with. For example, not everyone who works in Waikiki can afford to purchase a house/condo in that area.

Another sign of urban sprawl on this island are the existence of bedroom communities, like Kapolei. These kinds of neighborhoods offer much in the way of affordable housing, but offer little in the way of employment/jobs other than the typical retail stores and restaurants that cater to the residents of the bedroom community. To the credit of the city and state govts., new offices have been built on the Ewa side in recent years. And a full-fledged UH-West Oahu campus would be a tremendous step. But the growth of private sector businesses is still lagging.

I wonder if the freeways are going to take down those signs on the onramps that say: "No pedestrians, bicycles or motorized scooters under 5 HP."

Bicyclist in the California Bay Area are very reckless. They'll speed through intersections without obeying stop signs, seemingly without looking, forcing cars to stop for them. A kind of reverse form of violence, as they assert their way of life into a world not designed for them.

Right again, Joe. Trying to shoehorn methods of transportation onto inappropriate environments (i.e. bicycles on freeways) is not the answer. Careful urban planning, intelligent zoning decisions, and economic incentives for business relocation are far more sensible than expecting working people to bike it from Makakilo to downtown.

[matapule]

Re: Bicyclists win one

If we want pedestrian and bicycle transportation to have more weight, I'm guessing we need to change the way we design and develop our residential / business zones..............As for our already developed areas, we can either 1) sacrifice the current traffic lanes for sidewalks and bike lines, or 2) exercise eminent domain and force home owners to give up part of their land for more road space.

I'm not sure that anyone has read the article! The Transportation Secretary is talking about new ideas in transportation planning for the future. He is NOT suggesting bicyclists be allowed on freeways. Where does that come from? Don't make stuff up. Now and in the past, planning has always been about automobiles. Alternate forms of transportation are very successful in Europe and Asia, where the weather is not nearly so benign as it is in Hawai'i. The United States seems too frequently to need be dragged into the 21st Century whether it be transportation plannning, health care, or greenhouse gases. The nation that thinks of itself as the most advanced is looked upon by many outsiders as the most backward on many issues.

Bicyclist in the California Bay Area are very reckless. They'll speed through intersections without obeying stop signs, seemingly without looking, forcing cars to stop for them.

You are painting all bicyclists with a VERY broad brush! Yes, some bicyclists, perhaps many, fail to follow the law. I am not one of them. I support issuing traffic citations for those that do. But many motorists fail to follow the law. So do we stop providing freeways because they do? Way more motorists violate the law in California than do bicyclists. And if the truth be known, matapule is guilty of more traffric violations in his car than on his bicycle.

Let us look to the future with innovative ideas and optimistic goals. Let us embrace change rather than fear it. We can do it if we all work together.

[bjd392]

Re: Bicyclists win one

I did read the article... three times.

I am a bicyclist and a runner. But I love driving more.

I AM making fun of it. Because out here, dudes ride motorcycles wearing nothing but sunglasses and board shorts. Sometimes they have shoes. The roads on Oahu are not pedestrian or bicycle friendly. The roads aren't even car friendly. I am agreeing with you that this whole "Obama lead the way" photo without his helmet is poor leadership.

I don't see it as a priority compared to other issues that should be tackled in this country or state.

[MyopicJoe]

Re: Bicyclists win one

I'm not sure that anyone has read the article!

Heh, I know what you mean. I actually made sure to read the article before posting, but perhaps I glossed more than read? Like hearing but not listening?

Anyways...

He is NOT suggesting bicyclists be allowed on freeways. Where does that come from? Don't make stuff up.

It was bjd392 who mentioned freeways. Me, I was thinking of just regular roads in areas already developed.

If, as Frankie mentioned, proper planning is done before land development has started, then we can have safe co-existence of foot, bicycle, and petro traffic. Trying to shoehorn increased bicycle traffic in a heavily developed place like Honolulu is a lost cause. But as you said, the LaHood article talks about future development.

I basically read the article and went on a tangent about urban development in new and old areas. I guess a bit of unintended thread hijacking. Sorry.

You are painting all bicyclists with a VERY broad brush!

I specifically mentioned "California Bay Area" cyclists. I don't see that behavior in Hawaii cyclist, though I see it in some Hawaii pedestrians (as we talked about in another thread).

On a side note, I feel bad for the Manoa Valley cyclists who have to ride on University Ave. A very bicycle unfriendly road (around Mid Pac).

It's easy to say, "People should just move to a home closer to their jobs." But there are economic realities for everyone to deal with. For example, not everyone who works in Waikiki can afford to purchase a house/condo in that area.

True true. Economic pressures shape urban development. Unfortunately it usually seems to be the short-term-economic-gain type of pressures.

Yeah, some decent progress has been made in Kapolei. It's like a bon fire that's put in place and is just waiting for a match to light it up.

Maybe they need to build another sea port in Kapolei? Well, another port doesn't make sense, but some other economically significant feature...