Another clue that Austin is far from bike-friendly...... (Bee Cave, Wilson: crimes, neighborhood)

[twange]

I think it is reasonable to assume that certain streets are more dangerous than others and could/should be avoided by bicyclists. There is a great local bike map that color codes routes according to "ride-ability". For example, S 1st (where I live) is horrible, so I avoid it and use S 5th or Wilson.

That being said, we shouldn't blame a biker for getting hit by a car when the auto driver erred (and then ditched the scene). According to law, bikes have every right to ride on any street they want, regardless of whether or not you or I would.

As for bike lanes vs sidewalks: it would be safer for both bikes and pedestrians if there were dedicated, protected lanes, at least on high traffic streets. A biker who is inconsiderate to pedestrians is just as dangerous as an auto driver who is inconsiderate to bikers.

C'mon Austin, get off your *sses and make this city a leader in transport mode harmony

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Jennibc

I thought it was illegal to ride bicycles on sidewalks. Maybe not here. Anyway, having bikes on sidewalks going 20 to 30 MPH could be deadly if they were to hit pedestrians.

No, its not illegal to ride bicycles on sidewalks. That is a popular misconception in Austin and one of the reasons I keep repeating this message. It was probably 10 years or so ago that the Director of the Dept. of Transportation, told me that it is perfectly legal to ride a bicyle on any sidewalk in Austin except for a few areas downtown and on Quadalupe where there is heavy pedestrian traffic.

Looking at this State transportation code, it applies only to bicycles while riding in the street or a designated bike lane. TRANSPORTATION CODEÂ*Â* CHAPTER 551. OPERATION OF BICYCLES, MOPEDS, AND PLAY VEHICLES

In the City ordinance Austin, TX Online Resources

The limitations on where a bicycle may ride on the sidewalk are listed below:

§ 12-2-13 USE OF SIDEWALKS RESTRICTED.

(A) Except as provided in Subsection (B), a person may ride a bicycle on a sidewalk.

(B) A person may not ride a bicycle on a sidewalk on the following streets:

(1) 100 to 1100 blocks of Congress Avenue;

(2) 1900 to 2500 blocks of Guadalupe Street;

(3) 100 to 1100 blocks of Brazos Street;

(4) 200 to 1100 blocks of Colorado Street;

(5) from the 200 block of Second Street (West) to the 300 block of Second Street (East);

(6) from the 900 block of Fifth Street (West) to the 800 block of Fifth Street (East);

(7) from the 700 block of Sixth Street (East) to the 1000 block of Sixth Street (West);

(8) from the 100 block of Eighth Street (West) to the 200 block of Eighth Street (East);

(9) from the 100 block of Ninth Street (West) to the 200 block of Ninth Street (East);

(10) from the 200 block of 11th Street (West) to the 200 block of 11th Street (East); and

(11) from the 200 block of 15th Street (West) to the 200 block of 15th Street (East).

[Jennibc]

That's why I wrote "Maybe not here" realizing that it subject to local ordinance. But I still think it is dangerous for people to ride 20 to 30 MPH on a sidewalk.

[twange]

Originally Posted by Jennibc

That's why I wrote "Maybe not here" realizing that it subject to local ordinance. But I still think it is dangerous for people to ride 20 to 30 MPH on a sidewalk.

I totally agree. I still occasionally do it but I'm super careful and ALWAYS defer to pedestrians (and dogs)! I posted a year or so ago about a guy riding a motorized scooter on the sidewalk(the kind where you stand up), and a couple walking their two dogs had to get out of this douche's way while he bullied up the sidewalk. Just awful. And I see bikers do this all the time.

Again: A biker who is inconsiderate to pedestrians is just as dangerous as an auto driver who is inconsiderate to bikers.

[TexasHorseLady]

At one time it was illegal to ride bicycles on the sidewalks (back when my husband was commuting to work by bicycle, before it was "in") - we checked at the time, and it wasn't limited to those streets at that time (this was about 30 years ago). For the reasons given - it's dangerous to pedestrians and far too often the bicyclists who do so think they should have the right of way and pedestrians should jump out of their way.

[Nor Cal Wahine]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

too often the bicyclists who do so think they should have the right of way and pedestrians should jump out of their way.

Yup - and they're probably the same bicyclists who ride down the center of a street lane (like the one I see on South Lamar during morning rush hour traffic) who think they should have the right of way and that it's OK to ride 10 mph slower than the flow of vehicular traffic. While the law may not outlaw this, a reasonable person should ask themselves if it's a very good idea or not.

[ladylonghorn2]

They're called sidewalks not sidebikes. They're for pedestrians and wheeled transportation has to share the road. Isn't that the law?

[twange]

Originally Posted by ladylonghorn2

They're called sidewalks not sidebikes. They're for pedestrians and wheeled transportation has to share the road. Isn't that the law?

Sidewalks are also for those with mobile limitations: i.e. wheelchairs and disability scooters. That's why streets that don't have them(or have utility poles in the middle ) automatically prohibit anyone with a disability from having a safe route. Sort of unfair no?

This is why bike lanes are so crucial -they give bikes a place where their speed or lack of the same doesn't impede either auto or pedestrian traffic.

One spot that drives me nuts is the section of S Congress where the bike lane just disappears in favor of the angled parking. Stupid. I have a feeling that someone protested changing the structure because of business reasons. It just kills the whole flow of that street from a parking and biking point of view.

[love roses]

Originally Posted by atxcio

It's irrelevant because many people believe it is actually not safer on the sidewalks. That is debatable, for the reasons mentioned on other threads. You may be giving people dangerous advice.

Best just to focus on the actually lawbreaker and cause of the accident in this case -- the car -- and not try to blame the victim.

I, for one, am just going to risk my life on the sidewalk. As long as at least I am riding as defensively as I can then I think I reduce my chances of being hit on the sidewalk moreso than riding on the same road with speeding cars. For instance, I can slow down or stop before I approach a driveway or parking lot entrance/exit instead of barreling through it hoping a car doesn't hit me. I never go out with the expectation that everyone else is supposed to be concerned about me and I don't have to have a care in the world. (Not that I think all people who ride bikes do that, but I HAVE seen some smug bikers or ones who don't use very much caution).

[love roses]

Originally Posted by Jennibc

I thought it was illegal to ride bicycles on sidewalks. Maybe not here. Anyway, having bikes on sidewalks going 20 to 30 MPH could be deadly if they were to hit pedestrians.

I see lots of cars on the road, noone on the sidewalk. You call out "On your left" or "on your right" when approaching a pedestian who is not facing you and doesn't know you're approaching so as to avoid surprising them and having a potentially dangerous accident.