Baton Rouge Officially Designated a "Bicycle Friendly Community" (2009, credit)

[Skyliner]

I thought some of you would like to know that the city has achieved a bronze level BFC designation by the League of American Bicyclists.

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[MetroBTR]

Originally Posted by Skyliner

I thought some of you would like to know that the city has achieved a bronze level BFC designation by the League of American Bicyclists.

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Interesting. I wouldn't have guesed. I know we have bike lanes on a few streets and some in the works but I never would have expected that that was enough to get recognition. Oh well, I'm certainly not complaining.

[darylwi]

Is it because of all the share lanes now? That's a joke. I for one do not like riding in the traffic with vehicles, especially around here, unruly bastards. At least in Austin, when they repave or rework a road, they expand the curb just enough to add a small 3'-6' bike lane on the side of the road. That actually works. I've seen them myself and in action and they work. These share lanes aren't going to work. They aren't working. I either see bike riders in the middle of the road now, or motorists still hellbent in running the decent cyclists off the road. In both cases it's a lack of respect.
Maybe that's why we're only a bronze then, because IMO Baton Rouge is still generally unfriendly when it comes to bicycles. We're trying, but so far we've been really cheap in terms of how to handle it. Maybe time, education and a few more construction projects will change that.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by darylwi

Is it because of all the share lanes now? That's a joke. I for one do not like riding in the traffic with vehicles, especially around here, unruly bastards. At least in Austin, when they repave or rework a road, they expand the curb just enough to add a small 3'-6' bike lane on the side of the road. That actually works. I've seen them myself and in action and they work. These share lanes aren't going to work. They aren't working. I either see bike riders in the middle of the road now, or motorists still hellbent in running the decent cyclists off the road. In both cases it's a lack of respect.
Maybe that's why we're only a bronze then, because IMO Baton Rouge is still generally unfriendly when it comes to bicycles. We're trying, but so far we've been really cheap in terms of how to handle it. Maybe time, education and a few more construction projects will change that.

Amen to that - all they're doing is akin to "putting lipstick on a pig": for one thing, they're (IMO) randomly putting the bicycle logo on various streets. And the existing bicycle lanes they have on some streets are poorly maintained (buckled pavement, gravel, glass, and the like), which makes for a less than pleasant riding experience.

Still, I give them partial credit for good intentions - at least they're not marginalizing cyclists as aliens. And I think the more education and visibility there is about the "rules of the road", the less friction you'll have.

[Rosinante]

Originally Posted by darylwi

Maybe that's why we're only a bronze then, because IMO Baton Rouge is still generally unfriendly when it comes to bicycles.

That's true of motorcycles too — and, in fact, maybe even more so for motorcyclists.

[fbbertusa]

IMO This Bicycle Sharing the streets is a bunch of crap.You can't make a road wider or more safe & friendlier with a half /azz looking logo Temporarily painted on the street surface.That is a total waste of tax dollars.I ride a Harley Davidson and the only reason we get by best as we can with cars is because of laws we got passed because of the taxes we pay and the money we raise for charity.Don't get Me wrong I love bicycles but there is no place for them on any street that does not provide a special lane for them. What I don't like about bicycles is that a lot of them ride where ever they won't and cut through traffic and for the most part have no idea what a hand signal is or a red light or stop sign.

[mhounit]

Another crowning achievment for his highness Kip Holden .

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by fbbertusa

IMO This Bicycle Sharing the streets is a bunch of crap.You can't make a road wider or more safe & friendlier with a half /azz looking logo Temporarily painted on the street surface.That is a total waste of tax dollars.I ride a Harley Davidson and the only reason we get by best as we can with cars is because of laws we got passed because of the taxes we pay and the money we raise for charity.Don't get Me wrong I love bicycles but there is no place for them on any street that does not provide a special lane for them. What I don't like about bicycles is that a lot of them ride where ever they won't and cut through traffic and for the most part have no idea what a hand signal is or a red light or stop sign.

I would love it if they had specially designated bike lanes that were well maintained. Unfortunately, that is not the reality here in BR, and we occasionally have to ride on the main streets to get from point A to point B, since the idea of connecting streets is not a popular one here. It's not like I'm thrilled about doing so (riding on main streets), but I do my best to go with the flow of traffic and to be courteous.

Now, as to the "ride where ever they won't and cut through traffic and for the most part have no idea what a hand signal is or a red light or stop sign", I'd happily address that statement. Some cyclists don't signal and don't get the whole traffic flow concept. But many do. As to running stop signs, many of us only do so if there is no car nearby, and we look both ways first. Some don't, and I think that's where some of this "cycliing love" comes from.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by mhounit

Another crowning achievment for his highness Kip Holden .

It's good intentions from The Kip, but they need to have dedicated bike paths in places like along Bayou Duplantier, Wards Creek, along the top of the Miss River levee, and the like. AND maintain the paths they already have, like the path along South Lakeshore Drive - I bet they haven't done any maintenance since they threw asphalt down about 20 years ago.

[MetroBTR]

Kip Holden is only one man, and I think this city has improved for the better since we elected him and got that other nitwit out of there. I will not mention names, but those who need to know, know who I'm talking about.