4 ms·

I know a bike mechanic who commutes by bicycle (of course) in a city. I brought up bike infrastructure and they said they don't need much: side streets that are

by mmooss 5mo ago

I know a bike mechanic who commutes by bicycle (of course) in a city. I brought up bike infrastructure and they said they don't need much: side streets that are too slow for cars going any distance are perfect 'bike lanes' - either there are no cars or it's one lane of slow cars and the bike fits in fine. All they need to do is figure out a route, but usually they can find their way the first time without a map. LA is notoriously car-oriented, but is it different in that respect?

Gigachad 5mo ago
Side streets are often designed specifically to make thru traffic difficult. They have dead ends, weird routes, etc. But yeah, when you can find an empty/slow side street it’s hundreds of times better than a bike lane right next to high speed traffic and cars cutting you off.
- mmooss 5mo ago
  Still, many of those things don't limit bikes nearly as much - one way streets, alleys and parks, etc. Even a section of road under construction can be bypassed on the sidewalk.
thot_experiment 5mo ago
I spend 10-20 hours/wk on the bike and I personally hate almost all bike infrastructure. I understand why it exists, and I'm pro it being built but personally miss me with that shit. I hate the separated bike lane more than anything, even practicing parallel bunny hops every ride it still sketches me the fuck out to be trapped in a little channel like that. I'd much rather swim in traffic, and have all the options that that gives me.
- soramimo 5mo ago
  The one I have in mind is actually 100% separated from car traffic, eg along a river or rail line.
soramimo 5mo ago
The secret of LA biking infrastructure is that there are a few small rivers / creeks / storm drains running towards the ocean and sometimes those have bike trails. Those are really next level because they are essentially bike freeways; completely separated from car traffic (no intersections because the river & bike trail go underneath road bridges). In fact, it's not only safe and fun, but also much faster than driving during rush hour.

by mmooss 5mo ago

Gigachad 5mo ago

Side streets are often designed specifically to make thru traffic difficult. They have dead ends, weird routes, etc. But yeah, when you can find an empty/slow side street it’s hundreds of times better than a bike lane right next to high speed traffic and cars cutting you off.

mmooss 5mo ago
Still, many of those things don't limit bikes nearly as much - one way streets, alleys and parks, etc. Even a section of road under construction can be bypassed on the sidewalk.

thot_experiment 5mo ago

I spend 10-20 hours/wk on the bike and I personally hate almost all bike infrastructure. I understand why it exists, and I'm pro it being built but personally miss me with that shit. I hate the separated bike lane more than anything, even practicing parallel bunny hops every ride it still sketches me the fuck out to be trapped in a little channel like that. I'd much rather swim in traffic, and have all the options that that gives me.

soramimo 5mo ago
The one I have in mind is actually 100% separated from car traffic, eg along a river or rail line.

soramimo 5mo ago

The secret of LA biking infrastructure is that there are a few small rivers / creeks / storm drains running towards the ocean and sometimes those have bike trails. Those are really next level because they are essentially bike freeways; completely separated from car traffic (no intersections because the river & bike trail go underneath road bridges). In fact, it's not only safe and fun, but also much faster than driving during rush hour.