Believe me, I love linear park paths, and I hope we can add some in
Moscow. (I think the new bicycle committee should look into the paths
that Lori describes). But when dealing with a street and trying to keep
costs down, as well as provide bicycle and ped facilities within limited
right of way, I still think lanes (and sidewalks) are the best alternative.
I agree that lanes aren't perfect -- and neither are all bicyclists. But
we are balancing trade-offs here.
I'm curious, specifically, what you would recommend for Mt. View. Where
would you put the bikes-only path and the sidewalks in relation to the
street? I'm on the committee and we are meeting Wednesday, so I really
am interested in your reply. We only have a limited amount of
right-of-way as well.
By the way, thanks for stimulating this discussion.
Diane
On Tue, 5 Dec 1995, RAY PANKOPF wrote:
> ** Proprietary **
>
> as a kid, i used ride a bicyle path to and from the beach. fourteen miles
> one way, no auto crossings, or painted lanes. it followed a river and
> went under the automobile bridges which span the river.
>
> it was great.
>
> later as an adult, when my job took me back to the area, i used this same
> trail to commute to work.
>
> >>> Lori Sodorff <sodo8711@uidaho.edu> 12/05/95 11:36am >>>
>
>
> On Thu, 30 Nov 1995, RAY PANKOPF wrote:
> > > i'd like to see a balance on such a commission. i am a "sometimes
> bicycle
> > commuter... (not hard core), and i think that the desires of the
> "hardcore"
> > commuters sometimes run roughshod over the needs of the community
> in
> > general.
> > > i am speaking specifically of the desire by the "professional
> commuters"
> > to put all bike lanes at traffic level, on the street, separated from traffic
> > only by a painted white line.
> > > such "applied" bike lanes are great for retrofit situations... putting
> > dedicated lanes in where none currently exist. but i object to such
> > "retrofit" design solutions in new construction (ie highway 8 project
> and
> > the proposed mountain view project)
> > > where one is starting from scratch and has the opportunity to
> separate
> > bikes from autos (and pedestrians) it make just too much sense to do
> so. > why ask for a retrofit compromise, when a permanent solution can
> be
> > constructed? (again, it makes just too much sense)
> > > so... i hope the commission memebership has a balance of views....
> > > ...ray > > Perhaps someone who has the knowledge and access
> can get the bicycle path plans from Old Town Alexandria Va., Rosylin
> Va., Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas. They have some of
> the most beautiful bike, skate, and ped paths I have seen. The are also
> not in direct contact with Autos At least 99% of the time. Also The
> pedestrians understand that the bikes will run over them if they are out
> of there designated area. An another also is that cyclists use and
> pedestrians understand basic courtacies. i.e. "ON the left, on the right,
> etc."
>
> Moscow could go a long way with some of these examples.
>
>
>