03-14-2008, 05:51 AM
I wish there were bike paths!
My problem with bikes on highways without bike paths is pretty simple. The flow of traffic is 45-55 mph (and up) -- a speed beyond a bike's capability.
A bike has to ride off to the side or it slows down all the traffic. Now why any individual would feel entitled to slow down a hundred other people who also have the need to get somewhere (and gas burning ...) - I don't get. Therefore I do expect bicyclists to refrain from using a road unless they can do so without impeding the flow of automobile traffic.
Which means there has to be a consistent, ridable shoulder.
The trouble with the Hwy 11 portion of this drive, that I see, is that what shoulder there is could be dangerous because people drive erratically. I see people weaving all over the road. I don't whether they're drunk, or stoned, or bad drivers, but if I were a bicyclist I wouldn't want to be trusting my life to the assumption that everyone can drive in a nice straight line like they ought to. Especially in the kind of rain intensity that hits that road.
Taking the bike to town on the bus sounds like a much better plan.
My problem with bikes on highways without bike paths is pretty simple. The flow of traffic is 45-55 mph (and up) -- a speed beyond a bike's capability.
A bike has to ride off to the side or it slows down all the traffic. Now why any individual would feel entitled to slow down a hundred other people who also have the need to get somewhere (and gas burning ...) - I don't get. Therefore I do expect bicyclists to refrain from using a road unless they can do so without impeding the flow of automobile traffic.
Which means there has to be a consistent, ridable shoulder.
The trouble with the Hwy 11 portion of this drive, that I see, is that what shoulder there is could be dangerous because people drive erratically. I see people weaving all over the road. I don't whether they're drunk, or stoned, or bad drivers, but if I were a bicyclist I wouldn't want to be trusting my life to the assumption that everyone can drive in a nice straight line like they ought to. Especially in the kind of rain intensity that hits that road.
Taking the bike to town on the bus sounds like a much better plan.