Portland Peeves (income, tax, to live)

[turquoise1]

I admire your cycling prowess, but I doubt that every cyclist is as adept, or as thoughtful, as you are.

Because of safety problems, I think there should be a delineation between car and cycle lanes/streets.

I guess my perspective is that of a New Yorker who watched as cyclists were regularly run over by buses, etc.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by turquoise1

Because of safety problems, I think there should be a delineation between car and cycle lanes/streets.

That is exactly what a lot of people are fighting for. Europe does exactly this, but in the US bikes have to share lanes with cars.

[SETabor]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

Personally, I am not one of those cyclists who needs coddling from motorists when I am in the street. If I am on a street with no bike lane I will automatically ride as far to the right as practical. Most vehcular cyclists call this riding in "the door zone" and are horrified by cyclists that do it. Thing is, the vehicle code is clear. Cyclists are to ride as far to the right as practical and drivers exiting vehicles are to check for oncoming traffic before opening their doors!

I've ridden in the door zone, it can be hair raising when you spy a clueless person in a car ahead of you.

What I'm writing about is more the difference between riding down W Burnside vs riding down NW Couch. Neither road has bike lanes. Bicyclists aren't banned from riding down either street but I don't think its very bright of the bike to choose the street with heavier traffic and more distractions to drivers. There's a very limited set of roads that meet the XXX is stupid to bicycle on statement. These are usually four-lane roads, no curb parking and no bike lanes. If you tell google you're on a bike, it would never route you on them unless your destination is on that street and then only for a block.

[Steve Pickering]

Now if we can just get the Bike Riders to pay their share of the road projects and bike lanes.

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

Now if we can just get the Bike Riders to pay their share of the road projects and bike lanes.

Bike lanes only cost a small fraction of cost of road projects and a bike lane has a lower wear and tear.

[Steve Pickering]

But they are paid for with Gasoline taxes and license fees. Now there is something to be peeved about. Let's license Bikes.

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

As a full time cyclist it peeves me, when drivers think I should not be allowed on this or that street. What if you, as a driver were not allowed on this or that street?! You'd lose your mind. What?! I can't drive down 21st street anymore?! I'm writing the Mayor, this is absolute insanity. Why should bicycles be relegated to the sidewalks? Pedestrians don't want bicycles there by the way. Am I to get from this that bicycles simply shouldn't exist? I don't know... I think the recumbent bicycles/human powered vehicle industry is going to explode, and soon. Time will tell.

H

It would be nice if it exploded as it would bring some diversity to recumbent riders. Right now it seems like recumbent riders are all old wealthy white men. Maybe that's why they're irritating. All the riders I see seem to putter along in their own world. Cyclists in general don't bother me but recumbent riders often do. They're also so much harder to see.....

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

In Portland, I'm relying on a GPS or Google Maps. I'm looking for the most straightforward journey, just like a driver is. That might put me on Woodlawn Blvd. or whatever street that was that is fast and dangerous. It shouldn't be... dangerous for me or for you. We can all share the road.

H

You should get the free cyclists maps that show the bike lanes and best biking routes that (I believe) the City of Portland puts out. They're very helpful as they give you an idea of the safest or fastest routes. They're put together by cyclists (BTA?) and are great.

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

It would be nice if it exploded as it would bring some diversity to recumbent riders. Right now it seems like recumbent riders are all old wealthy white men. Maybe that's why they're irritating. All the riders I see seem to putter along and not get out of the way. Cyclists in general don't bother me but recumbent riders often do. They're also so much harder to see.....

Have you seen the price on these things? I say tax them by value in lieu of licensing, and require registration with stickers displayed prominently so you could ticket the scofflaws.

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

Have you seen the price on these things? I say tax them by value in lieu of licensing, and require registration with stickers displayed prominently so you could ticket the scofflaws.

Most cyclists also drive cars. That would be taxing twice. It will never happen and it shouldn't. Especially because many people ride bikes for financial reasons.