While spending the past few days riding my bicycle — and writing about riding — I've thought back to a recent episode from a drive home.
I was approaching my right turn off a main road. Two cyclists were on my right, heading straight. I might have been able to get ahead of the cyclists and turn safely, without violating their right of way, but it would have made me the kind of driver that always infuriates me when I'm biking. Instead, I slowed to a stop and let the cyclists go first.
The driver behind me was furious at me. I don't read lips well, but I do OK at reading facial expressions. It's one of the perks of this job.
That episode says a lot about the Treasure Valley's bicycling challenges. Cyclists and motorists are sharing cramped space, and there's a lot of general cluelessness about how to coexist.
The Ada County Highway District has a 50-year plan for how to make the area more bike-accessible. And I think ACHD is on the right track.
The plan, adopted Wednesday, recognizes that not all cyclists are alike.
Most are casual or young riders who want a leisurely and low-stress experience.
Some are into long-distance conditioning or commuting; they don't mind sharing roads with cars, but they want a direct route to their destination. They are outnumbered by the weekend warriors, but more than 4,000 workers countywide use a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation.
The centerpiece promise of ACHD's plan is that, at completion, 95 percent of the population will live within a quarter mile of a bike lane or bike path. A lofty goal for a county that, in 1990, had a meager four miles of bike lanes.
The first phase of work, over five to 10 years, could cost an estimated $14 million; ACHD has no 50-year estimate. But it's likely to take a very aggressive plan of this magnitude, in order to build a bicycling infrastructure that will encourage more people to commute to work.
In ACHD's bicycling surveys conducted in 2007, more than 2,100 cyclists were asked to list the factors that keep them from riding more; 73 percent of respondents cited a lack of bike lanes, paths and bike routes.
Better bike lanes and paths would certainly make cyclists feel more comfortable. But there also has to be a lot better understanding of the rules, and a lot more cooperation.
Neither motorists nor cyclists have cornered the market on boneheadedness; I've seen plenty of selfish and stupid behavior from both camps. But when I'm driving, I don't worry that a cyclist's stupidity puts me at risk of injury. When I'm cycling, I worry a lot more about dumb drivers.
Motorists and cyclists have to stop acting like they are competing for the roads, and do a better job of coexisting. And yes (and this means you, the guy who was driving behind me the other evening), sometimes common courtesy and the law requires you to wait a few seconds on a cyclist. Let's have some patience.
And on that front, a little footnote. That thoroughfare I was driving has no bike lane or sidewalk. According to ACHD's 50-year plan, it is on the schedule for a bike lane ... in 10 to 25 years.
A little patience would serve us all well.
Get Twitter updates on my blog and column and Statesman editorials.
Become a follower here. On Facebook, join the Idaho Statesman
Opinion Page Group for updates.
Delicious
Digg
Yahoo
You can tell our gestures while we are typing?
I knew it was Santa Claus!
----------
Supporting nothing everywhere all day and very well.
Thank you for hollering.
Cyclists, please do your part by riding single file
Please, please, please tell as many cyclists as you can *not* to ride two and three people abreast when riding in bike lanes. I see this all the time, particularly on Hill Road which isn't very wide at all. It forces drivers to either drastically slow down, risking collision from behind, or to pass by illegally moving into the oncoming traffic lane. I'm amazed there aren't either more head-on collisions or more bicyclists hurt by cars.
When I've slowed down to comment to cyclists who are observing this dangerous practice, I usually just get dirty looks or the "one-finger salute". To make Boise more cyclist-friendly, both drivers and cyclists must be willing to be courteous and to obey the rules of the road. I wish I could start bike riding again, but it feels too dangerous, partly because of the reputation some discourteous cyclists have given to the rest of them.
I don't disagree
but two riding abreast is legal.
get rid of all the damned cars and party
----------
Supporting nothing everywhere all day and very well.
Thank you for hollering.
be courteous and be seen are 2 good biker rules.
We should not be restricted to lanes and paths. Sadly, Edge City has neither but I'm not giving up hope.
two abreast is just fine
I hate to burst the other writer's bubble, and I agree it is usually rude, but it is clearly legal in Idaho to ride two-abreast. It is not legal to ride three-abreast.
Nope, that just sounds kinky so no wonder.
----------
Supporting nothing everywhere all day and very well.
Thank you for hollering.
Kool Aid kid
The Ada County Highway District has a 50-year plan for how to make the area more bike-accessible. And I think ACHD is on the right track.
***
Perfect KR, when you are about 100 years old you will likely have a bike facility within 1/4 mile of you.
****
KR, for you to write they are 'on the right track' is ridiculous. Case in point, why are they spending money and resources to survey 2,100 cyclists? They have a bicycle advisory committee. All the commissioners have to do is invite that committee to speak once a year and say, "we have $X for bike improvements. What needs to be done? What is the priority? And then GO DO IT. Stop all this study krap. Reading the Statesman's report and readers comment gives us all a good picture of what's happening out there with bikes. Simply being a driver and paying attention to the bikers, bike lanes, the conditions and looking at the current bike map - is more than enough for a normal person to conclude what needs to be done. I do NOT need a study to tell you there is not a complete bike lane (or facility) on Fairview Avenue.
50 years!!!!!!! NO ONE knows what Ada county will look like in 50 years from now. Hey, why not 100 years???? And let's start planning for 100 years by guessing our population in 2109. Yeah right! How about putting together a decent plan, period.
ACHD doesn't even have a few 'complete' East-West /North-South bike routes. Their planning for the past 20 years has sucked and it is the reason we have what we do today. They have spents millions in legal battles that could have been spent on asphalt and paint.
*****
KR, of that thoroughfare you refer to, reflect back to when that stretch of road was developed? Should the developer have paid for the bike lane (facility) to accomadate the new homeowners? And how many additional developments since that one could have been 'tapped' to pay for that needed improvement?
I note you say it is a 'main road'. AND I'll note ACHD impact fees have been historically insufficient.
Watch the ACHD meetings on ACHD TV and it's easy to see Commissioners are clueless. Sarah Baker has it spelled out correctly in her blog: http://sarabakerforachd.com/blog.html
On May 13th meeting President McKee didn't know if a motion was necessary to schedule an agenda item and had to ask staff what to do. On the May 6th meetin she asks for a motion to approval a report (ahhh, not necessary). And yet the Statesman endorsed her. Maybe that's why you think they are on the right track...
Not my job, man!
Goal #2 of the 50 year:
Promote bicycle safety and increased bicycling within Ada County and its six cities.
****
Really? Since when should our road construction and maintenance department be tasked with promoting bicycle safety? Build bicylce friendly and safe roads and infrastructure? Yes!!!!!
But let's leave the 'promote safety' to the people who should be doing that like the police, parks and rec, and bike clubs, etc.
ACHD doesn't know what to do so they do what they want to do and they spend taxdollars doing that.
Hey Kev -- No one cares!!
With all that is going on in the world (city and state) this is your best effort?
I care
so go soak your head.
There will be peace when car dealers can deal with Presta valves
----------
Supporting nothing everywhere all day and very well.
Thank you for hollering.