Denver's bicycle police ride on the sidewalk- because they see the city's roads as being too dangerous for cyclists

bjbeau wrote:

Regarding comments about cyclng in the US is dangerous. I can't speak for others but I lived in San Diego for 15 years up to 1997, and was a frequent road cyclist during that time, both in the main city and the beach communities from Pt Loma to Oceanside in the north, and Julian in the east.

I can count on one hand how many times I had altercations or close passes in that time. It simply didn't happen.

Maybe SD is different. The area is known for its appeal to top drawer triathletes who train there year round as well as offering a climate that invites people to get outside to run, bike, swim etc - for 365 days a year. Roads are generally wide, even when you get into the hinterland.  And this was before cycling became as big as it is.

 

I remember when I first started cycling on the roads, circa 1982, I was 13, mid sized Northern (primarily working class) UK city. Even up to 1989 22% of people got to work by bike - three times the national average which was 7% at that time (now 1%) When I started commuting into college the 4 miles to the city centre in 1987/88 through a busy industrialised area along arterial roads I never had any issues. Fewer vehicles and a better attitude and more people on bikes, I suspect that pretty much every town and city 20+ years back would be the same.

Now when I go back to my home city it's hateful cycling through the city though out to the East toward the coast the population is still very sparten so the cyling is pretty good for the mostpart.

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

bjbeau wrote:

Regarding comments about cyclng in the US is dangerous. I can't speak for others but I lived in San Diego for 15 years up to 1997, and was a frequent road cyclist during that time, both in the main city and the beach communities from Pt Loma to Oceanside in the north, and Julian in the east.

I can count on one hand how many times I had altercations or close passes in that time. It simply didn't happen.

Maybe SD is different. The area is known for its appeal to top drawer triathletes who train there year round as well as offering a climate that invites people to get outside to run, bike, swim etc - for 365 days a year. Roads are generally wide, even when you get into the hinterland.  And this was before cycling became as big as it is.

 

I remember when I first started cycling on the roads, circa 1982, I was 13, mid sized Northern (primarily working class) UK city. Even up to 1989 22% of people got to work by bike - three times the national average which was 7% at that time (now 1%) When I started commuting into college the 4 miles to the city centre in 1987/88 through a busy industrialised area along arterial roads I never had any issues. Fewer vehicles and a better attitude and more people on bikes, I suspect that pretty much every town and city 20+ years back would be the same.

Now when I go back to my home city it's hateful cycling through the city though out to the East toward the coast the population is still very sparten so the cyling is pretty good for the mostpart.

 

remember riding on roads like the A40 near Cheltenham where I grew up in the late 70's no problem - wouldn't dream of riding on it now - not just volume of traffic but an expectation of unhindered speed 

rode in California for 8 days at easter - grand total of 2 close passes - majority of vehicles fully crossed centre line to pass - including cars towing recreational boat trailers and agricultutal trucks,if couldn't pass slowed and waited -  even when riding on wide freeway shoulders majority of truckdrivers moved across a lane to pass 

pleasantly surprised 

hawkinspeter wrote:

It'd be nice if the cops decided to cycle on the roads anyway and conspicuously take primary position. They could then warn/charge any drivers that got uppity with them.

I know, I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.

They don't appear to have heard of close pass initiatives then

John Smith wrote:

Surely they could do something about it?

And risk getting shot?

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

I watched yet another video of cycling in NYC Saturday, the whole attitude to cycling in US cities is massively worse than it is here. I wouldn't ride in US cities even if you paid me, maybe Minneapolis but that's an exception to the rule. They make London feel like Utrecht.

I spent a week in May riding in and around Flagstaff, AZ. It’s a pretty healthy, outdoorsy place, reflected by a shortage of mega fatties and a pretty healthy respect for me on the road. Just the one close pass in 5 days. Roads are wide though.

But the wind. Oh my god, the wind...

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

I watched yet another video of cycling in NYC Saturday, the whole attitude to cycling in US cities is massively worse than it is here. I wouldn't ride in US cities even if you paid me, maybe Minneapolis but that's an exception to the rule. They make London feel like Utrecht.

And I wouldn't believe anything you write if you paid me.

You have been, are, and will always be an asshole.

A440 wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

I watched yet another video of cycling in NYC Saturday, the whole attitude to cycling in US cities is massively worse than it is here. I wouldn't ride in US cities even if you paid me, maybe Minneapolis but that's an exception to the rule. They make London feel like Utrecht.

And I wouldn't believe anything you write if you paid me.

You have been, are, and will always be an asshole.

Well, THAT escalated quickly... 

A440 wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

I watched yet another video of cycling in NYC Saturday, the whole attitude to cycling in US cities is massively worse than it is here. I wouldn't ride in US cities even if you paid me, maybe Minneapolis but that's an exception to the rule. They make London feel like Utrecht.

And I wouldn't believe anything you write if you paid me.

You have been, are, and will always be an asshole.

Hahahaha, did your mum let you go on the internet to write that, you have issues, seek help and quick before you explode!

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

A440 wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

I watched yet another video of cycling in NYC Saturday, the whole attitude to cycling in US cities is massively worse than it is here. I wouldn't ride in US cities even if you paid me, maybe Minneapolis but that's an exception to the rule. They make London feel like Utrecht.

And I wouldn't believe anything you write if you paid me.

You have been, are, and will always be an asshole.

Hahahaha, did your mum let you go on the internet to write that, you have issues, seek help and quick before you explode!

You would do well to listen to A440, they speak the indisputable truth. 

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

I watched yet another video of cycling in NYC Saturday, the whole attitude to cycling in US cities is massively worse than it is here. I wouldn't ride in US cities even if you paid me, maybe Minneapolis but that's an exception to the rule. They make London feel like Utrecht.

I'm spoiled by bike lanes and reasonable drivers here in Barcelona.

But I did spent one week cycling in Washington DC recently and it was pretty good. Lots of bike lanes and quiet residential streets. The traffic in the centre is also do slow that you can always keep up with a bicycle. It turns a bit worse in the countryside, where they don't seem to be used to cyclists. They do have a large network of bicycle trails though, which are paved off street bike lanes, often through forests or parks.