City Counsel Approved 2.5 Million Bike Infrastructure Package (Atlanta: how much, pros and cons)

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I have to agree. There may be a few places in Atlanta where bike lanes make sense, but I almost never see cyclists using the bike lanes outside of a small area of town.

Do you know why? Most people don't like riding with a huge SUV riding their tail. Talk to about anyone, and the reason they don't bike more is because riding on a car-dominated street terrifies them.

[Atlanta_BD]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Do you know why? Most people don't like riding with a huge SUV riding their tail. Talk to about anyone, and the reason they don't bike more is because riding on a car-dominated street terrifies them.

I've been bike hunting and I want to start riding, but the though terrifies me for this very reason.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I have to agree. There may be a few places in Atlanta where bike lanes make sense, but I almost never see cyclists using the bike lanes outside of a small area of town.

This is because there are too few bike lanes and the ones we do have are not coordinated into a network. If you want to see more cyclists, there need to be more bike lanes and they need to be laid out in a way that connects destinations.

[CCATL]

Originally Posted by Atlanta_BD

I've been bike hunting and I want to start riding, but the though terrifies me for this very reason.

Biking in Atlanta really isn't as bad as people make it out to be - once you get comfortable and confident, it's fine. Obviously, always staying alert is key when you're driving, whether it be on a bicycle, a car, a motorcycle, whatever. Take roads that have more red lights and less curves, and you will be fine. Take up a full lane on roads where there is more than one lane in each direction, such as on Peachtree. Also, obey the laws of the road!!! As a bike commuter, I get EXTREMELY irritated when I see other people on bikes flying through red lights. If I can catch up to them after I have waited at the red light, I usually say something to them about how they are perpetuating the stereotypes that cyclists don't belong on the road. I bike commute nearly everyday for a year and a half now, and have only had 1 close call *knock on wood* (old lady not stopping at a stop sign) and 2 drivers yell or honk at me (thankfully not aggressively beyond that). I'd say that's pretty good for commuting in a major city, whether you're on a bike or even in a car.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Do you know why? Most people don't like riding with a huge SUV riding their tail. Talk to about anyone, and the reason they don't bike more is because riding on a car-dominated street terrifies them.

I just wonder if we get much bang for the buck with bike lanes. Even if we multiplied the number of riders by 10 you'd still just be serving a relative handful of people.

I also think there's a big difference between recreational and commuting riders. For the latter there are many places to ride. Our leafy, curving streets are magnificent for biking.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I just wonder if we get much bang for the buck with bike lanes. Even if we multiplied the number of riders by 10 you'd still just be serving a relative handful of people.

I don't see it that way. I can't remember the last time I drove anywhere without seeing multiple cyclists. The number of cyclists is growing rapidly in the city these days and there is no reason to think that trend is going to slow down. Now is the time to make investments that benefit cyclists.

[Atlanta_BD]

Originally Posted by CCATL

Biking in Atlanta really isn't as bad as people make it out to be - once you get comfortable and confident, it's fine. Obviously, always staying alert is key when you're driving, whether it be on a bicycle, a car, a motorcycle, whatever. Take roads that have more red lights and less curves, and you will be fine. Take up a full lane on roads where there is more than one lane in each direction, such as on Peachtree. Also, obey the laws of the road!!! As a bike commuter, I get EXTREMELY irritated when I see other people on bikes flying through red lights. If I can catch up to them after I have waited at the red light, I usually say something to them about how they are perpetuating the stereotypes that cyclists don't belong on the road. I bike commute nearly everyday for a year and a half now, and have only had 1 close call *knock on wood* (old lady not stopping at a stop sign) and 2 drivers yell or honk at me (thankfully not aggressively beyond that). I'd say that's pretty good for commuting in a major city, whether you're on a bike or even in a car.

It's hard enough for me to cross street safely as a pedestrian crossing with the light because drivers just don't yield even when I have the right of way. I have near hits trying to cross the street literally on a daily basis. I'm terrified to bike in the road with these drivers who try to run me down when I need to cross the street.

[CCATL]

Originally Posted by Atlanta_BD

It's hard enough for me to cross street safely as a pedestrian crossing with the light because drivers just don't yield even when I have the right of way. I have near hits trying to cross the street literally on a daily basis. I'm terrified to bike in the road with these drivers who try to run me down when I need to cross the street.

I fully believe you, but I just haven't had that experience myself. I guess it must come down to perception. I have lived in much bigger cities, with much more aggressive driving, and much crazier traffic. I've seen at least 4 people get hit in that bigger city while crossing the street, and in Atlanta I haven't personally witnessed that (and I walk around a lot). So, maybe my perception is different from yours because of those experiences. I'm just telling you that in my experience, biking in this city really isn't that bad.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by JPD

I don't see it that way. I can't remember the last time I drove anywhere without seeing multiple cyclists. The number of cyclists is growing rapidly in the city these days and there is no reason to think that trend is going to slow down. Now is the time to make investments that benefit cyclists.

You may be right. I will keep my eyes opened for cyclists.

I respect cyclists and used to bike to work myself sometimes (though it was only a couple of miles). Still, I'm inclined to think we should prioritize pedestrians over cyclists at this point. There are bound to be a lot more walkers than bikers.

[westau]

Originally Posted by arjay57

You may be right. I will keep my eyes opened for cyclists.

I respect cyclists and used to bike to work myself sometimes (though it was only a couple of miles). Still, I'm inclined to think we should prioritize pedestrians over cyclists at this point. There are bound to be a lot more walkers than bikers.

There aren't many roads where people want to walk that don't already have sidewalks though.

Cycling also allows people to do things much further from home without having to use a car than walking so it is good moving forward.