tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955311294411328562.post9102104823081007625..comments2023-08-18T11:40:19.852-06:00Comments on Los Alamos and Santa Fe Bikes: Avoiding right hook collisionsScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10105951751896463667noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955311294411328562.post-81037129827265567312012-06-28T18:42:34.324-06:002012-06-28T18:42:34.324-06:00A competent rider can ride either in the lanes as ...A competent rider can ride either in the lanes as they now exist or in the street as it existed. For those cyclists who think bike lanes immunize them from having to deal with traffic, they are in for a rude surprise. For those willing to ride alertly with their situational awareness hats on, they are a convenience. <br /><br />Its obviously a trade-off. Many riders will not venture forth without the encouragement of bicycling-specific facilities, and if these had ended at Orange/Sandia, the road would be looked at as incomplete. The lanes south of Sandia provide continuity of the bike lanes to the DOE boundary (i.e., the bridge) but require an alert and aware rider (and drivers) to negotiate safely.<br /><br />Finally, this is a new situation for Los Alamos. Like anything else different, it requires a learning curve. For example, roundabouts.Khalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11866897914538110672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955311294411328562.post-74543929598653368132012-06-28T15:42:28.372-06:002012-06-28T15:42:28.372-06:00In that case, Khal, perhaps putting in bike lanes ...In that case, Khal, perhaps putting in bike lanes was actually a bad idea. If there have been more mishaps and close calls since putting the the lanes, it begs the question of bike lanes being safer than just riding in the street. If bikes have to truly "share the road" perhaps that keeps bike riders more aware of their surroundings, and might make drivers more aware of the bicyclists. <br /><br />I keep thinking about draining swamps, and something about being up to your neck in alligators. Primum Non Nocere.mnaturehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00430938813839623241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955311294411328562.post-84521151711066462582012-06-27T13:36:21.205-06:002012-06-27T13:36:21.205-06:00The lanes meet recognized traffic standards. The p...The lanes meet recognized traffic standards. The problem is the laws were written long ago and bike lanes added after the fact. While it might be possible for motorists to merge into the bike lanes, that doesn't solve the entire problem. A cyclist has to be properly overtaken in either scenerio (turning from the curb or from the bike lane line. Clearly, if the car moves to the curb the cyclist can either slow down or overtake on the left. But the cyclist can do that anyway, as demonstrated by John Allen in the short video.<br /><br />If we dash the bike lane south of Orange/Sandia due to the large number of curb cuts, I see the possibility for the law of unintended consequences to create other problems, and said so to Chief Torpy.<br /><br />Based on discussions last week, the County Engineer is studying whether to change any of the striping, but that has to be done comprehensively through town. Might take a while if it is done.<br /><br />Paint stripes don't replace thinking. If anything, they might encourage non-thinking. Bike lanes lull cyclists into complacency in traffic, while making traffic patterns more complicated. That is not a good thing.Khalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11866897914538110672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955311294411328562.post-303243222711616382012-06-27T12:22:59.662-06:002012-06-27T12:22:59.662-06:00The most sensible way for a car to turn through a ...The most sensible way for a car to turn through a bike lane would be to merge with that lane, after making sure they are not running over a bicyclist. Since it has been legally mandated that a car should not drive part-way in the bike lane, perhaps the bike lanes are being made incorrectly. <br /><br />When cars are not supposed to change lanes, such as just before <br />a traffic light, the lines on the road are solid. In places where it is appropriate to safely change lanes, the lines are dotted. <br /><br />I would suggest that the bike lanes be made the same way, except reversed. Most of the time the lines will be solid, indicating that cars should not cross over except in an emergency. A certain distance before an intersection, or public driveway (like at a school), the bike lane lines could <br />be dotted, indicating the areas where bicyclists and cars could <br />interact. This would cue drivers of the area where they should, with careful consideration, merge with the bike lane in order to make their turn. This would also cue the bicyclists that cars could be doing this, and to be more observant and perhaps drop their speed.mnaturehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00430938813839623241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955311294411328562.post-67242273210351327232012-06-27T11:17:06.162-06:002012-06-27T11:17:06.162-06:00The entire phrase is "as nearly as practicabl...The entire phrase is "as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane". That gives you some leeway if the lane is narrow.<br /><br />The specific rules for turning aren't listed here, but a right turn is generally made from the right-most lane, or as close as practicable to the curb or edge. If there's a bike lane, that would mean fitting as much of your car as practicable into the bike lane before turning.MikeOnBikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955311294411328562.post-17316273115605618352012-06-27T06:26:54.602-06:002012-06-27T06:26:54.602-06:00That problem was pointed out during a meeting with...That problem was pointed out during a meeting with the police. Cars would have to lane-straddle.Khalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11866897914538110672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955311294411328562.post-82336942151525010212012-06-26T23:23:43.591-06:002012-06-26T23:23:43.591-06:00Re: "entirely within a single lane"
Som...Re: "entirely within a single lane"<br /><br />Some time back, I posted an anonymous comment to a thread saying that it seemed to me that the safest course for a car driver on turning right, was to merge into the bike lane and thereby avoid right hook configurations by filling it up and making it impossible for bikes to be there.<br /><br />I got confirmation responses from folks here that that was indeed the correct thing to do. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the legal quote above "entirely within a single lane" seems to go against this conclusion. It is impossible to be entirely within a bike lane when you are driving a car...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955311294411328562.post-64948543813852503732012-06-21T19:17:29.040-06:002012-06-21T19:17:29.040-06:00I heart #4 and 5.I heart #4 and 5.Steve Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13650405341304401203noreply@blogger.com