pambikes

I am a bicycle driver. I use my bicycle to drive whereever I want to go whenever I want to go.  I don't request bike lanes because I feel they subject me to more danger than riding in the middle of the travel lane.  There are way better explanations and concise use of terminology of the traffic nomenclature than I can give so I'll provide links to the real articles and explanations and I'll just summarize this issue from my perspective.  Before you decide where to ride, please take the time to read these articles I've linked.  They may help prevent an accident or save your life.  

My reasons for not using bike lanes

1.  Right hook – This is when someone passes you on the left, turns right and cuts you off.  Since most bike lanes are the right most lane, there is a higher likelihood of getting right crossed in a bike lane than being in the line of traffic in a travel lane.

2. Left cross – This is when a driver turns left in front of you.  Generally drivers of cars understimate the speed of bicyle drivers or they don't see the bicycle driver.  If you are in the bike lane, you'll be further removed from the peripheral vision of the oncoming driver turning left because you are in the next lane over.

3.  Intersection conflicts – Bike lanes introduce complexity to intersections and neither drivers of cars or bicycles know what either party is supposed to do.  Did you know drivers of cars should turn from the curb and why lanes are dashed at intersections?  Read the links below.

4.  Drive out – When a driver pulls out of a driveway or side street in front of you. Using the bike lane decreases your visibility and maneuverability on a bike in this situation.  Hopefully, there will be a sidewalk, no telephone pole, no guardrail to avoid getting hit.

5.  Decreased visibilty – out of the main focus of the driver of the car.  Remember drivers of cars sit in the left hand side of the car.  If the minimum travel lane is 11 feet wide and a bike lane minimum width is 5 feet wide.  You are probably about 14 foot right of where they are sitting.

6.  Dangerous merges – Many of our bike lanes in Charlotte (NC) are installed when roads are resurfaced.  So even if there is a bike lane, it may only last 50 or 100 feet and there is no sign to let you know when the lane ends.  Therefore, as a bicycle driver I am subjected to forced merges at some not so opportune times such as at intersections.  When you're in the bike lane, neither the driver of the car or the driver of the bicycle is alert to the merging situation ahead of time.  

7.  Decreased safe (lateral) passing distance.  Many bike lanes installed meet the MINIMUM standards.  That means a travel lane of 9 feet can be placed next to a 5 feet bike lane.  You know the 3 feet safe passing distance that you always hear about?  Guess what, you probably won't get 3 feet safe passing distance.  Do you realize some trucks are 8 1/2 feet wide and the mirrors stick out another 10 inches on each side?  Some lanes in Charlotte (NC) such as Randolph Rd near town are 9 feet wide?  Because of the speed differential, a higher margin of safety is needed.  Reserve some room for yourself to maneuver out of a bad situation.

8.  Door zone bike lanes – Some bike lanes are next to parked cars.  If a car door is opened and you are in the middle of the bike lane, you will get doored.  And you may fall into the lane of travel.  

9.  Expectation to use the bike lane – If a bike lane is there, drivers of cars and even bikes expect all bicycle drivers to use the bike lane.  If a bike lane is there, some drivers of cars act with hostility toward bicycle drivers who leave the bike lane to avoid hazardous conditions and bicycle drivers will remain in the bike despite hazardous condition.

10.  Debris and trash – Due to the motion of cars sweeping debris into the bike lane, bike lanes generally collect debris, sand, glass and need to be swept more often due to the decreased natural sweeping action that cars provide to normal travel lanes. Don't risk losing control of your bicycle, get a flat and get stranded or delayed.  Ride where the street conditions are the best.  In the middle of the travel lane.

I j want to ride where I want to ride and where I am safest.  Bicycle drivers need to be forewarned and ride in the bike lane at their own risk.  But at least share the risks with them.  The number one rule of all drivers whether in a car or on a bicycle is to operate the vehicle in a safe manner.  And you must make these decisions as the operator of your vehicle.  I just want to get home safely.  I am a mother, wife, friend.  

http://cyclingsavvy.org/hows-my-driving/

This is a link to why I drive in the middle of the lane.

http://iamtraffic.org/news-views/china-cups-and-butterflies-options-and-ethics/

This is a link to the full-blown explanation of what is wrong with bike lanes.

Thank you to the following people who made suggestions to improve this post: John Brooking, Karen Loewen, Eli Damon, Tim Cupery.

Just a few things on the National Bike Challenge.  The Challenge begins May 1st and goed through September 30th.  Click here for the FAQ.  The main thing is you ride your bike.  Try to ride everyday.  It doesn't matter if you ride one mile or 20 or 50 in a day.  Just ride.  Keep track of your mileage.  The easiest way is to jot it down.  You'll bascially know how many miles it is to most places you go such as work, grocery store, wherever.  You can choose to use Endomondo, Strava, Garmin… but those all suck the power out of your phone or device because of the GPS.  (This is anecdotal since I don't use a phone).  You have until the last day of the month to enter your mileage for that month.  I try to enter mine at least weekly so I don't forget and then the 1st rolls around and you can't enter your mileage.  

To enter your mileage, go to the home page for NBC and click on the middle flag to log your miles.  

We've since added a Local Challenge to make it easier to check your ranking.  Click in Local Challenge then Leaderboard then Rider/Team/COmmunity etc.  So far our team is doing great!  Keep it up!

Thanks for joining the team.  There's an African proverb that says "If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together."  So we'll all go together.

There’s a new ride on Wednesdays. Here’s the info from the facebook page called Klunk and Disorderly. Click here for the link.

This is a Slow riding, Fat tire Cruiser Bike ride. Bring out your Klunkers, Townies, Low Riders, Beach Bikes and Sting Rays.
Leave your carbon fiber road bikes, Fixies and Mountain Bikes at home. It ain’t that kind of ride.
Our tentative plan for now is to meet at The Bulldog Beer and Wine located at 2447-B Park Road every Wednesday night at 7:30pm and leaving at 8pm sharp, when the weather is best. We won’t have a planned route. The plan is to cruise around and stop when the group feels like it.

1.  Don’t pass the leader or you’re on your own (ride).

The leader is designated by a reflective triangle.  If other people know the route, they will also have reflective triangles.  Only follow the large crowd or the reflective triangles.  Ride leaders are familiar with the route in advance and are designated with a reflective triangle.  Only follow the designated leaders.  Or use Glympse to find us.

2.  Ride in one lane – May use full lane.

I believe the safest place in the lane is in the middle of the lane for maximum visibility.  We like to stay in one lane to allow motorists to pass in the other lane.  If we are turning left, we will be in the left hand lane.    Always ride on the right side of the road (in the road, and not on the sidewalk).

3.  Obey all traffic signals.

When the group is large, the group will get divided up.  It happens.  Stop at the light and wait your turn.  Do not try to stop traffic.  Do not run lights.  Find us at the next regrouping stop – every 2 miles or so.

4.  Communicate passing, turns and slowing with hand signals.

Make sure everyone around you knows where you are.  Do not get hit or run into someone.  Communication is very helpful to everyone.  If someone calls out a hazard, please call it back so others will be aware behind you.

A helmet and lights (front and rear) are required.  If you ride a tall bike, brakes are also required.  If you ride fixed, you need  to be able to stop your bike.  You need to be able to stop at ALL times -especially in a big group.  Be prepared to stop at all times.  Use BOTH brakes for maximum braking power.

Rider responsibilities:

Each traffic decision you make is YOUR responsibility.  Only you can decide whether each intersection is clear to cross.  We plan the ride and the route.  Your riding is your responsibility.

Ride responsibly.  Open containers are against the law and are not allowed.  Wheelies, bunny hops, hopping curbs are frowned upon.  If you fall and someone runs you over, that’s your problem.  Do that on your own ride.  Hazardous riders will be asked to leave.  The safety of the group is important.  Let’s all have fun.

We generally plan regrouping stops to make sure the group is together along the way.  We do not want anyone to get left or lost.

Updated: 3/25/16

Over time, based on past rides, we’ve tried to fine tune some things so you’ll know what to expect from the ride.

Nothing’s perfect but we do try to make the ride fun.

Distance:  Both rides (PMTNR and Sunday Slow Ride) are structured as a 15 mile ride each week.  The first segment is 10 miles to the first stop then another 5 miles to the ending destination.

Pace: We try to go around 10 mph.  Sometimes it’s a little faster if we’re rolling down a hill or slower when we’re going uphill.  If you are concerned, ride up front and help set the pace.

Stops:  Our destinations are generally Bicycle Benefits businesses.  We like to support the businesses who support people riding bikes.  Each ride we can support up to 3 local Bicycle Benefits businesses.

Time:  We leave at 8 pm each week from the Common Market (Plaza Midwood).  This time works well to give everyone time to get home from work and get to the beginning of the ride.

Return:  It usually takes about an hour and a half to get to the first stop then another 30 minutes for everyone to get back on their bikes to ride back which puts us back at the start around 10:30.

Route: I try to plan the route to be enjoyable.  Which means quiet neighborhood streets.  We will cross many busy streets but we generally do not ride on main roads for very long.  I try to make it flat to rolling hills.

Helpers: I’m always on the lookout for people willing to help lead or organize the ride.  You can mark a turn, blow the whistle at regrouping stops, relay messages from the rear to the front in the event of a mechanical problem, sweep to make sure no one gets left behind.  Let me know if you plan to be at the ride and if you are willing to help out.  As the ride gets larger, we’ll need more people to keep the ride running smoothly.

Let me know if you have suggestions to make it better.  We’ll keep trying until we find something that works.

Thanks for reading this.