Coming soon from your concerned Austin City Council-a ban on texting while driving + 3 foot bicyclists buffer zone (Cedar Park: high school, safer)

[ammonman]

I agree with velomann, and I don't see why people have such a problem with bicyclists moving between the curb and cars in slow traffic. Believe me, you would be much more inconvenienced if I were to "get in line" behind the other cars and make everyone behind me wait while I plod forward at 10 mph. It is much easier for the bicyclist AND CARS to move to the front and quickly go through the light when it changes. Some countries have intersections set up with bicycle slots at stoplights specifically for bicycles to do this. It's safe and efficient.

[Sweeet Tea]

Austin Bans texting while driving statesman.com

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by Sweeet Tea

Austin Bans texting while driving statesman.com

IMHO; this is an excellent thing. I can't imagine anyone with Ninja like skills to read email and drive at the same time safely.

[mimimomx3]

Exempt from the ban will be navigational systems, texting in emergency situations and public safety personnel who use wireless devices while on duty.

Why would there be ANY exemptions? Isn't it just as 'dangerous' to be fiddling with your TomTom? What about the navigation system on my Iphone?

[gpurcell]

Originally Posted by ammonman

I agree with velomann, and I don't see why people have such a problem with bicyclists moving between the curb and cars in slow traffic. Believe me, you would be much more inconvenienced if I were to "get in line" behind the other cars and make everyone behind me wait while I plod forward at 10 mph. It is much easier for the bicyclist AND CARS to move to the front and quickly go through the light when it changes. Some countries have intersections set up with bicycle slots at stoplights specifically for bicycles to do this. It's safe and efficient.

I'll tell you why it is a big deal--because drivers aren't trained to lookbehind and to their right when turning. No reason they should be looking that direction when it is far more important to check traffic coming from the left and peds in the crosswalk.

[orbius]

Next please ban non-hands free cell phones. Everyday I almost wreck or get blocked by someone more interested in their cell phone conversation than actually driving.

[atxcio]

Perhaps more relevant...

AUSTIN HAS ENACTED THE 3-FOOT PASSING LAW ON THEIR OWN:

Austin Local News - "Safe Passing" law gets council approval

Ironically, this law should apply to Perry and/or his motorcade as he's tooling around Austin. I love it.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by ammonman

I agree with velomann, and I don't see why people have such a problem with bicyclists moving between the curb and cars in slow traffic. Believe me, you would be much more inconvenienced if I were to "get in line" behind the other cars and make everyone behind me wait while I plod forward at 10 mph. It is much easier for the bicyclist AND CARS to move to the front and quickly go through the light when it changes.

Sorry, long time cyclist in disagreement here...you propose to be at the front at every intersection while you plod forward at 10 mph...so the cars must pass you again in order to reach the 25-35-45 mph speed limit?...
Never mind the danger when car X moves a little too close to the parked car or truck and you try to squeeze through and catch a mirror in the face. Would you make the same 'lane-splitting', right passing argument for scooters and motorcycles...like some countries do?

Gotta say...stay in the lane unless you have a shoulder and/or plenty of room to move over and let cars/trucks pass. Unless you are in town, you're not likely to see them again...they get to go 35+, most of us mortals are limited to 20-25 on a bike.

The really bad offenders are the entire pelotons that circle around stopped cars at intersections and then block traffic while they try to clip in and plod forward...all you have to do is let the cars go and you aren't likely to see them again if the road is open. I challenge a few things in life...two-ton cars and trucks are not things I challenge while completely exposed on a bicycle.

[nomore07]

Council Approves Text Message Ban (http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/news/local/102209_Council_Approves_Text_Message_Ban - broken link)

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Sorry, long time cyclist in disagreement here...you propose to be at the front at every intersection while you plod forward at 10 mph...so the cars must pass you again in order to reach the 25-35-45 mph speed limit?...
Never mind the danger when car X moves a little too close to the parked car or truck and you try to squeeze through and catch a mirror in the face. Would you make the same 'lane-splitting', right passing argument for scooters and motorcycles...like some countries do?

Gotta say...stay in the lane unless you have a shoulder and/or plenty of room to move over and let cars/trucks pass. Unless you are in town, you're not likely to see them again...they get to go 35+, most of us mortals are limited to 20-25 on a bike.

The really bad offenders are the entire pelotons that circle around stopped cars at intersections and then block traffic while they try to clip in and plod forward...all you have to do is let the cars go and you aren't likely to see them again if the road is open. I challenge a few things in life...two-ton cars and trucks are not things I challenge while completely exposed on a bicycle.

I ride all the time and I usually ride up to the front at the intersection without blocking traffic. Typically, I am the guy waving cars through to turn right. I have not been in peletons that circle around cars, where are you seeing this? I haven't seen this along parmer or the surrounding roads in Cedar Park. For my safety I will not ride downtown unless it is part of the ms150. Besides head north on parmer and you are into the quiet country where it is much nicer anyway.