Albuquerque third most bicycle-friendly city

[TexasRandi]

Originally Posted by mortimer

Second, crossing I-25 is an East-West crossing, not a North-South crossing.

You are totally right! Whoops, still don't know my directions around here. Tehee!

I didn't know there was a bike path at Tramway. Cool! Still might be quite a bit out of my way. Would rather ride on Alameda for a shorter trip and just get it over with. On a good day I will take the scenic route.

And yes, that Paseo bike trail does go across I-25 further down but it is much too out of the way. I've been down that way and those bumpy wooden bridges are a killer!!!

I used to ride from Rio Rancho to Journal Center via Alameda Open Space and the Paseo Bike Trail and that ride is awesome. I love the overpass bridges they have there (don't have to worry about traffic one bit). Too bad it probably would be very expensive to do that for Paseo/I-25. One day!!!

Alameda crossing under I-25 isn't as bad as you'd think. Only part that sucks is going east on Alameda from Jefferson to the I-25 underpass because it is uphill and cars (well, the people IN them) get impatient. I refuse to ride on the sidewalk there because if you are going straight it is too easy for cars to not see you on the sidewalk and turn right while you are going straight.

They can honk and shout all they want. I am a vehicle just like them. They are just jealous that I am getting better gas mileage and staying healthy.

BTW, rode to work yesterday and gas went up 2.49 to 2.59 in ONE day at the corner of Alameda and I-25. I cruised past that gas station on my bike with a huge one of these on my face:

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by TexasRandi

... still don't know my directions around here.

I think your trail descriptions could use some work also:

Originally Posted by TexasRandi

I didn't know there was a bike path at Tramway.

I should be clear for an obvious newcomer:

Tramway goes E-W from I-25 toward the mountains.
It goes N-S all along the Eastern edge of the city to I-40.

There is a bike/ped path all along the N-S part of the road.
There is a wide bikeable shoulder along the entire route.

It is also nice because during the day, the N-S part is some 5 or so degrees cooler than the N Diversion Trail.

Originally Posted by TexasRandi

And yes, that Paseo bike trail does go across I-25 further down but it is much too out of the way.

There is a Paseo trail, that runs E-W along the road Paseo Del Norte.

There is a N. Diversion trail that runs N-S and crosses the Paseo trail and Paseo Del Norte.

The Paseo trail does not cross I-25 anywhere.

The N. Diversion trail crosses (under) I-40 and also crosses (under) I-25

Originally Posted by TexasRandi

... those bumpy wooden bridges are a killer!!!

I hate those too. Some are bad enought that I walk my bike over them.

Originally Posted by TexasRandi

... probably would be very expensive to do that for Paseo/I-25.

It will probably get done in the rebuild - whenever that happens.

Originally Posted by TexasRandi

I refuse to ride on the sidewalk there because if you are going straight it is too easy for cars to not see you on the sidewalk and turn right while you are going straight.

You kids. .... Always in a hurry.

I always assume the car can't see me and stop and make sure that there is no car that could hit me if they wanted to. Then I go ( bike or walk ).

Originally Posted by TexasRandi

I am getting better gas mileage and staying healthy. ... gas went up 2.49 to 2.59 in ONE day ...

It should NEVER have been allowed to go back below $4/gallon.
$4+ was a good thing.

[TexasRandi]

Originally Posted by mortimer

It should NEVER have been allowed to go back below $4/gallon.
$4+ was a good thing.

I agree! Although I am in a terrible financial situation right now, I also realize that it is a FACT that we do not have an infinite supply of oil. It will run out eventually. High gas prices were forcing people to get more fuel efficient vehicles and get out and bike/walk more. It was a good thing! I am from El Paso and there aren't nearly as many people outdoors there as there are here. Hurray for ABQ and its bike paths/outdoor culture!

[easyjett]

I see the maze of bike paths and trails on the Abq city webpage. Is biking a good means of travel in Abq? Anybody here use this as a primary source of transportation? Is it safe to ride on the roads with bike lane designations?

Wow! I see my life is going to change living in Abq compared to Atlanta. Where I live you need to load the bike up in the car, take it to a park or a area that is safe to ride with traffic. Pitiful most of this area is just now putting sidewalks in. It's crazy to see kids walking on the road or in the ditches to & from school in some areas.

My family and I love to ride our bikes. We hope this mode of transportation is accepted and respected by the motoring public as well.

[Burquebinder]

In any city, the growing segment of population that gets around by bike is going to be a sticky issue. So, just a warning - you may unintentionally start a flame war.

I will simply say that for an American mid-sized, southwestern city, ABQ is doing quite well in the biking dept

[photobuff42]

My BF visits Alburquerque often to see his mom. He keeps a mountain bike there and rides it all the time when he is there.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by easyjett

I see the maze of bike paths and trails on the Abq city webpage.

This thread has been merged with another ongoing informative thread.


Rich

[ABQConvict]

People on some bikes are friendly. People on road bikes in full racing kit seem to be less friendly but they are probably training for some race and don't want to be seen grreeting at a dude with a rack full of groceries.

But seriously, I have been more or less "car-free" for a few years now. Many of the bike routes are great, most motorists are reasonable. You can get around for the most part on a bike using Albuquerque's system of bike infrastructure: paths, lanes, and routes. It is not quite Portland but better than most cities in the country.


ABQConvict

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by easyjett

... Is biking a good means of travel in Abq? Anybody here use this as a primary source of transportation?

How about as a tertiary source of transportation?

I tend to drive more than ride my bike, but I *do* keep a decent amount of miles off my car by biking.

I tend to ride the bus more than drive.

I filled up my car on June 26 and still have exactly 1/2 of a tank of gas.

Originally Posted by easyjett

Is it safe to ride on the roads with bike lane designations?

I don't. rybert does, but he's got huge, er ... he's much braver than I am.

I just detour to the residental streets which tend to be quite convenient.

Fortunately for me with my small, er less brave-ness, you can link between non-busy streets and dedicated bike paths to get around.

As long as you don't have an arrogant mentality that all the pedestrians and dog-walkers are "just interfering" with "your" access to the trails.

Originally Posted by easyjett;

We hope this mode of transportation is accepted and respected by the motoring public as well.

It tends to be, but avoiding interacting with automobiles is my preferred mode.

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

It is not quite Portland but better than most cities in the country.

Considering the weather here, Albuquerque might be a better bike town.

[rybert]

Originally Posted by easyjett

I see the maze of bike paths and trails on the Abq city webpage. Is biking a good means of travel in Abq? Anybody here use this as a primary source of transportation? Is it safe to ride on the roads with bike lane designations?

Wow! I see my life is going to change living in Abq compared to Atlanta. Where I live you need to load the bike up in the car, take it to a park or a area that is safe to ride with traffic. Pitiful most of this area is just now putting sidewalks in. It's crazy to see kids walking on the road or in the ditches to & from school in some areas.

My family and I love to ride our bikes. We hope this mode of transportation is accepted and respected by the motoring public as well.

I bicycle to work more than I drive/moto. I live near Pennsylvania, so it's easy to hop on a bike lane for me.