how bicycle-friendly is phoenix? (Mesa, Scottsdale: neighborhoods, restaurants, safest)

[vegaspilgrim]

I think the worst thing are the smart-*** bicyclists who bicycle in the right lane (with no bike lane) of a major 6-lane, 40mph thoroughfare. Technically that is legal and it's technically the "correct" way to bicycle if you stick to the letter of the law, but it's extremely dangerous and it can promote road rage. Most of the Phoenix area (especially Tempe) has extremely wide, generous sidewalks on these streets. Use them. There are very few pedestrians in Phoenix anyway. When you encounter one, slow down (I'm talking about the bicyclists here) and give them the right of way. When you approach intersections, stop, proceed with caution, and assume they don't see you. The only places where you definitely do NOT want to bicycle on the sidewalk are Mill Ave in Tempe, downtown Scottsdale, and downtown Phoenix (anywhere with a lot of pedestrian activity)-- in those places the police might pull you over. But anywhere else, if you're going to bicycle along major 4-6 lane roads, get ON the sidewalk and OFF the road.

Unfortunately, even if you don't do anything wrong, there is a lot of scum out there. On two separate incidences I have had people throw drinks at me while bicycling (just like the movie "The Weather Man") as they sped past in their car. One was on Rural Rd by Alameda in Tempe, the other was on Baseline Rd on the Mesa/Gilbert border. I also encountered, extremely often, in fact about once every week, some immature adolescent drive past and scream out of their window at me as I was bicycling (and I'm talking bicycling on supposedly "quiet" neighborhood streets where I was doing nothing wrong, minding my own business).

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by gildossantos

thanks for comments. According to your responses, road rage thrives in Phoenix and everybody seems to accept it, is that true? How do you guys deal with it : "f**k the others before being f***ed" attitude? Zen attitude?
I thought there was "highway police" in the US to deal with that kinds of problems, is that not correct?

Same as every other big city - everyone is impatient, in a hurry etc. I've never driven in any city of comparable size where I haven't run across a couple of type-a jerks on the freeways.

I see zillions of spandex-clad recreational riders out where I live. They can ride for miles on Estrella and Indian Springs for the time being. It is a very different world back "in town". I never heard of anyone biking to work.

[gildossantos]

Originally Posted by twiggy

Ha ha, yes, this attitude is widely used here. I thought it was an American attitude? Not just Phoenix, sorry. It's just people are really busy here. While they are driving to and from they are also texting, putting on make up, talking on the cel, eating, getting dressed, showering, you get the picture. And everyone drives here! Everyone! They are not really looking out for someone on a bike. Try portland, I hear they are very cool in the bike department.

I see : so life is fast paced in Phoenix and people are always in a hurry, I assume. But isn't it possible to be fast paced and respectful? That would surely turn the fast paced life less stressful, no? Well while writting this I got the answer : if everybody is harmful, you got to "go with the flow" if you want to survive the drive, right?
best regards.

[felt]

I'm pretty sure BASE jumping would be a statistically safer activity than riding your bike to work in Phoenix. If you can plot a way to work along the canals it's not bad, but the bike lanes are not safe. A lot of the streets have 40-45 mph speed limits and people are doing 50-55 mph while eating, talking on the cellphone and putting on their makeup. Totally not worth it.

[MotleyCrew]

Oh my. We considered buying scooters to commute to our office and be like Europeans, but after driving back and forth in this mess, we have decided to pass. Even a Smart Car would put the fear of God in me. I wear a helmet in my Neon!!!

[twiggy]

Originally Posted by MotleyCrew

Oh my. We considered buying scooters to commute to our office and be like Europeans, but after driving back and forth in this mess, we have decided to pass. Even a Smart Car would put the fear of God in me. I wear a helmet in my Neon!!!

I wasn't going to post again, but, I had to tell you, you made me laugh my ass off!

[twiggy]

Originally Posted by gildossantos

I see : so life is fast paced in Phoenix and people are always in a hurry, I assume. But isn't it possible to be fast paced and respectful? That would surely turn the fast paced life less stressful, no? Well while writting this I got the answer : if everybody is harmful, you got to "go with the flow" if you want to survive the drive, right?
best regards.

I hate it too! I wish it were not true, but, it is! You could be the one to start it off by trying to be respectful on your little bike in a bike lane the size of a shoe surrounded by disrespectful drivers in SUV's but you would just be squashed! Many have tried. Like I said, try and pick a back route, stay away from the main streets and you might just make it!
Where are you coming from, might I ask?

[MaxPower123]

I just ride my bike on the sidewalks, screw it.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by felt

I'm pretty sure BASE jumping would be a statistically safer activity than riding your bike to work in Phoenix. If you can plot a way to work along the canals it's not bad, but the bike lanes are not safe. A lot of the streets have 40-45 mph speed limits and people are doing 50-55 mph while eating, talking on the cellphone and putting on their makeup. Totally not worth it.

Wow, thanks for the major laugh!

[ABQ_semi_lover]

you guys havent lived or been to albuquerque, NM where bike lanes are nonexistent be glad you guys live in a clean city with bike lanes.....