[mom_of_3_ts]

So it seems that Indianapolis is putting in new bike lanes ... Thank goodness. But people are complaing some of the things I've read just goes to show how stupid people can be its crazy I'm sure some of the complaints are. Justified but some were just stupid such as that's what side walks are for and bikes have no right to be on the street .. I on the other hand would like to see them on every road short of interstates I would love to have bike James and ride from Franklin to indy with some safety any way.. I think its cool and thought I'd share

[bjjoondo]

I wish they'd do more, BIKE LANES here in Co. Springs, they want to spend LOTS of money on "pretty trails" but bike LANES get you where you really NEED to go, jmho. I've talked to the powers that be but I just get wishy-washer type answers, rats! Enjoy your bike lanes and ride a LOT!

[LarryM]

Originally Posted by mom_of_3_ts

So it seems that Indianapolis is putting in new bike lanes ... Thank goodness. But people are complaing some of the things I've read just goes to show how stupid people can be its crazy I'm sure some of the complaints are. Justified but some were just stupid such as that's what side walks are for and bikes have no right to be on the street .. I on the other hand would like to see them on every road short of interstates I would love to have bike James and ride from Franklin to indy with some safety any way.. I think its cool and thought I'd share

Hi mom-of-3
I was riding around downtown Indy last weekend and like the way it's becoming more bike friendly. But it's going to take the motorists there a little time to get used to some of the bike lane configurations ... like this one on New York between Meridian and Pensylvania

Four cyclists were east bound on New York where the bike lane shifts left to allow for the right turn only lane. An SUV driver decided to pass us on the right, then tried to cut back across the bike lane to continue straight on New York. He started to pass, but misjudged our speed, and only got by half of the group before getting to the corner, where he had to hold up in the right turn only lane until we passed him. There were 3 or 4 drivers right behind him wanting to turn right, so his impatience held up 3 or 4 other drivers.

I think bike lanes encourage more people to cycle and would like to see more of them. Unfortunately, they do give cyclists a false sense of security and have to be used with care to avoid dangerous situations like turning motorists, road debris, and the door zone.

[rawhite1969]

The Indy Mayor is a rider, so is committed to greatly increasing the number of bike lane miles. Is disappointing to see the news stories that lean towards drivers, the comments on websites from drivers who would rather be texting than paying attention, and then other cyclists complaining that bike lanes aren't the answer and are unsafe. The city has come a long way in recent years in regards to cycling, and we have the Mayor to thank for that. Is sad when non-cyclists post that the bike lanes are "election tactics" - when he's been pushing this and developing the lanes since he was first elected.

Next step this city needs is education for both cyclists and drivers about cyclist rights on the road (bike lanes or not), cyclist etiquette, and how both cyclists and cars can safely be on the road together. Unfortunately, most drivers have no idea what the shallows mean, know that there is a 3 foot passing law, and I'd say that most believe we aren't supposed to ride on "their" roads.

[mom_of_3_ts]

Originally Posted by rawhite1969

The Indy Mayor is a rider, so is committed to greatly increasing the number of bike lane miles. Is disappointing to see the news stories that lean towards drivers, the comments on websites from drivers who would rather be texting than paying attention, and then other cyclists complaining that bike lanes aren't the answer and are unsafe. The city has come a long way in recent years in regards to cycling, and we have the Mayor to thank for that. Is sad when non-cyclists post that the bike lanes are "election tactics" - when he's been pushing this and developing the lanes since he was first elected.

Next step this city needs is education for both cyclists and drivers about cyclist rights on the road (bike lanes or not), cyclist etiquette, and how both cyclists and cars can safely be on the road together. Unfortunately, most drivers have no idea what the shallows mean, know that there is a 3 foot passing law, and I'd say that most believe we aren't supposed to ride on "their" roads.

Yes I agree 100% it should be part of the dl written test so people know . I ride more for transportation and those lanes are a huge help I hate riding on the side of the foX ans doscing road kill and trash

[LarryM]

Originally Posted by rawhite1969

...[snip]...
Next step this city needs is education for both cyclists and drivers about cyclist rights on the road (bike lanes or not), cyclist etiquette, and how both cyclists and cars can safely be on the road together. Unfortunately, most drivers have no idea what the shallows mean, know that there is a 3 foot passing law, and I'd say that most believe we aren't supposed to ride on "their" roads.

I think Indy is well situated to take that next step. About a half dozen Indy area cyclists went through the League of American Bicyclists Instructor Certification program recently. You should see some LAB Traffic Skills classes for cyclists as well as other cyclist and driver education programs sponsored by Bicycle Indiana and INDYCOG soon. If you want cyclist and motorist education there, consider supporting those programs when they're announed.

BTW, are you sure that Indiana has a 3 ft law? IIRC, one was proposed two years ago, along with other revisions to the bicycle related laws, but the package never made it to a vote.

[photosbymark]

Well actually I wouldn't object to a bike along the interstate IF it road on the emergency shoulder for the entire time. Yet if the highway had a shoulder, (the one used for emergency parking and stops) and the bikes were limited to that area, I see no reason why a bike would cause a safety issue to the car doing 70 in the traffic lane. Sure would make bike touring much easier.

[rawhite1969]

Sorry, the 3 foot law is in Indianapolis, versus the whole State of IN.

the programs that IndyCog (of which I'm a supporter) and Bicycle Indiana are ones that will be great for those of us interested in cycling. What we don't have (and I doubt any state has) is any sort of real education for everyone else. I know that 25+ years ago when I took my DL test in IL, there were questions about how to drive with cyclists, and as a cyclist. We also had cycling education in grade school where we learned hand signals, etc. None of that exists today.

And while I'm a huge fan of cycling education, no amount of education about driving with cyclists will help until we start enforcing traffic laws for everyone, which most big cities are bad at. Police resources go towards crime (which is fine) but has created an environment where drivers know they can run red-lights, speed, not signal, etc without any real fear of consequences.

[scottybike]

The only bike lane near me hear in Gwinnett County Georgia is along Sugarloaf parkway. Other than considering it for early morning weekend long workout rides I honestly don't use them. Others do and increased usage will help but it this suburban metropolis they just aren't safe enough for me. Most along this busy route are commuters with one hand on their cell phone and maybe the other on the wheel. Seen way too many use the bike lane for quick entry into turns and such. My commute is nearly 8 miles one way each day and I use the neighborhood roads for most of it to (1) make it long enough for a decent work out and (2) so I am as safe as possibly. Atlanta just went thru the huge transportation plan with a proposed city "beltway" and all with basically zero support for biking.

[LarryM]

Originally Posted by rawhite1969

Sorry, the 3 foot law is in Indianapolis, versus the whole State of IN.

the programs that IndyCog (of which I'm a supporter) and Bicycle Indiana are ones that will be great for those of us interested in cycling. What we don't have (and I doubt any state has) is any sort of real education for everyone else. I know that 25+ years ago when I took my DL test in IL, there were questions about how to drive with cyclists, and as a cyclist. We also had cycling education in grade school where we learned hand signals, etc. None of that exists today.

The League of Illinois Bicyclists developed a program for use in IL drivers ed classes. Over the last 2 years the class materials were presented to most of the drivers ed instructors in the state. Here is a link to a post on that project from last year. Time will tell if it gets thru to the new drivers. At least it's a try.

Originally Posted by rawhite1969

And while I'm a huge fan of cycling education, no amount of education about driving with cyclists will help until we start enforcing traffic laws for everyone, which most big cities are bad at. Police resources go towards crime (which is fine) but has created an environment where drivers know they can run red-lights, speed, not signal, etc without any real fear of consequences.

Ain't that the truth. It would be nice to see more enforcement aimed at both motorists and cyclists.