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+--- Thread: Cycling in Waterloo Region (/showthread.php?tid=186)
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RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - bpoland - 10-17-2016
Does anyone know what is happening farther west on Krug, between Lancaster and East Ave? That stretch is even narrower than between East and Dumfries, and already has parking restricted to the south side of the street. If they are adding bike lanes to that section, they will have to remove the parking. Strange that there was no mention of that in the article.
Re: the East to Dumfries section, there is currently parking on both sides. If they eliminate parking on one side, does that leave enough space for the bike lanes? If so, that seems like the way to go.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - clasher - 10-17-2016
This is a bus route so the idea to make Krug one-way seems like a bad idea to me.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - panamaniac - 10-18-2016
Interesting piece in today's Toronto Star about a guy who cycles with a one meter piece of pool noodle extending from his carrier, to remind drivers to keep a safe distance. I'm surprised we don't see much more of this - as a non-cyclist, I've wondered whether someone wouldn't invent a flexible extension of some sort capped with a fluorescent ball or flag to achieve the same result. Wire it up and an air horn could sound if a car touches it!
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/10/18/cyclist-says-his-pool-noodle-makes-toronto-streets-safer-for-him.html
Meanwhile, I see that Ottawa is trying out a semi-shared "advisory bike lane". That would seem to me to be a possible solution on a street like Krug, especially if the bikes are equipped with pool noodles!
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/advisory-bike-lanes-ottawa-1.3808844
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - danbrotherston - 10-18-2016
(10-18-2016, 10:09 AM)panamaniac Wrote: Interesting piece in today's Toronto Star about a guy who cycles with a one meter piece of pool noodle extending from his carrier, to remind drivers to keep a safe distance. I'm surprised we don't see much more of this - as a non-cyclist, I've wondered whether someone wouldn't invent a flexible extension of some sort capped with a fluorescent ball or flag to achieve the same result. Wire it up and an air horn could sound if a car touches it!
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/10/18/cyclist-says-his-pool-noodle-makes-toronto-streets-safer-for-him.html
Such products definitely exist:
https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-3-ft-Bike-Safety-Flag/dp/B01AQXJKR4
I am indeed tempted.
(10-18-2016, 10:09 AM)panamaniac Wrote: Meanwhile, I see that Ottawa is trying out a semi-shared "advisory bike lane". That would seem to me to be a possible solution on a street like Krug, especially if the bikes are equipped with pool noodles!
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/advisory-bike-lanes-ottawa-1.3808844
I think the advisory lane is an interesting idea, but it's a very context sensitive thing. Frankly, drivers in this city often don't make any effort to stay out of actual bike lanes as is apparent from the lines fading away from being driven over.
It might work on a quiet street, but a street like Krug I think is to busy, cars will just drive in the lanes all the time.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - Pheidippides - 10-18-2016
(10-18-2016, 10:09 AM)panamaniac Wrote: Interesting piece in today's Toronto Star about a guy who cycles with a one meter piece of pool noodle extending from his carrier, to remind drivers to keep a safe distance. I'm surprised we don't see much more of this - as a non-cyclist, I've wondered whether someone wouldn't invent a flexible extension of some sort capped with a fluorescent ball or flag to achieve the same result. Wire it up and an air horn could sound if a car touches it!
A nice thick sharpie marker on the end might be a deterrent as well :-)
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - Elmira Guy - 10-21-2016
A good article. And lest anyone feel targeted, of course there are many cyclists who do use a light. But as a pedestrian, I have to ensure my choice of clothing and actions while interacting with traffic do not put me or others in harms way. And that applies to everyone out there.
Dear cyclists riding at night without a light: Do you have a death wish?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/dear-cyclists-riding-at-night-without-a-light-do-you-have-a-death-wish/article32476221/
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - mpd618 - 10-21-2016
(10-21-2016, 07:30 PM)Elmira Guy Wrote: But as a pedestrian, I have to ensure my choice of clothing and actions while interacting with traffic do not put me or others in harms way.
(Emphasis mine.)
There is no world in which it is reasonable for walking in a city to require wearing special kinds of clothing to be safe.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - Elmira Guy - 10-22-2016
Not special kinds, but if you're going to be out walking and crossing streets, it's advisable NOT to wear all black, even when using crosswalks.
And whether it's reasonable or not, it is practical and wise.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - danbrotherston - 10-22-2016
Why? Black is a great color. Looks great on me.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - Elmira Guy - 10-22-2016
Me too! But I certainly think my point is valid. And again, I'm talking from my perspective as a pedestrian.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - ijmorlan - 10-22-2016
(10-21-2016, 09:54 PM)mpd618 Wrote:(10-21-2016, 07:30 PM)Elmira Guy Wrote: But as a pedestrian, I have to ensure my choice of clothing and actions while interacting with traffic do not put me or others in harms way.
(Emphasis mine.)
There is no world in which it is reasonable for walking in a city to require wearing special kinds of clothing to be safe.
“non-black” is not a “special kind”.
What makes black inadvisable isn’t only road design and cultural attitudes but also physics.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - jamincan - 10-22-2016
(10-21-2016, 07:30 PM)Elmira Guy Wrote: A good article. And lest anyone feel targeted, of course there are many cyclists who do use a light. But as a pedestrian, I have to ensure my choice of clothing and actions while interacting with traffic do not put me or others in harms way. And that applies to everyone out there.
Dear cyclists riding at night without a light: Do you have a death wish?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/dear-cyclists-riding-at-night-without-a-light-do-you-have-a-death-wish/article32476221/
I completely agree, but it's not just cyclists. Since it's been dark when I leave for work in the morning, I've been astonished by the number of people who don't turn their car lights on when driving in the pitch dark. They may have daytime running lights, but that does nothing for visibility from behind. This is also a major problem in times of poor visibility with pouring rain or fog. I'm frankly flabbergasted that cars aren't required to automatically have the full lighting system on anytime they're in gear.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - Canard - 10-22-2016
(10-22-2016, 08:11 AM)jamincan Wrote: I'm frankly flabbergasted that cars aren't required to automatically have the full lighting system on anytime they're in gear.
I'm certain it must be specific manufacturers, based on casual observation. It always seems like it's the same couple of makes when I notice them without their lights on. My car (Toyota), for example, won't actually let me drive around without my headlights on if I wanted to! I notice a lot of the cars without headlights on are newer Fords. What boggles my mind is, though - if it's dark out, and your headlights aren't on... neither are the interior instrumentation cluster lights. So you can't even see your speedometer. How is that not a clue to turn them on?!
Anyway, I came on here to post about some very positive experiences I had on Wednesday. I was out for one of my regular LRT Construction Update rides, and had about 10 very positive "interface" experiences with other road and trail users (pedestrians, cars, other cyclists). It just stuck out in my mind as such a "good day". People stopping and letting me through when I didn't expect them to (or was fully prepared to wait for them), people giving me lots of extra space on narrow roads, or just even cyclists using their bells when they passed me on the trails (I'm slowish!). I continually am pleased with how how polite and courteous people have been toward me on my bike. As someone who is still very much a novice, this has made it very easy for me to slowly ramp up my confidence over the summer. Life is good
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - Elmira Guy - 10-22-2016
I agree completely Jamincan.
RE: Cycling in Waterloo Region - kwliving - 10-22-2016
(10-22-2016, 01:09 AM)danbrotherston Wrote: Why? Black is a great color. Looks great on me.
I thought black was the absence of color? I think a conversation with my grade 8 art teacher is in order.