From the Secretary of Transportation: What we know about bikeinfrastructure ...

[Bob Brubaker]

Concur with Allen's comments with one caveat -

"...but many arterial streets should be redesigned and operated to induce 
motorists to drive slower..."

Where 'bulb-outs' are used they usually have a gap at the curb to allow 
storm water flow.  It's nice if these are wide enough to make it easy for a 
slow riding cyclist to use.   Allows less confident riders to not have to 
move out into the traffic when encountering a bulb-out.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Allen Muchnick" <allenmuchnick at yahoo.com>
To: <bsc at bicycle.alexandria.va.us>
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 2:36 AM
Subject: Re: From the Secretary of Transportation: What we know about 
bikeinfrastructure ...


What does "bike infrastructure" mean, and how does "bike infrastructure" 
differ from bicycle facilities and/or accommodations?

It seems to me that "bike infrastructure" is just the new code word for 
"cycle tracks" and other problematic segregated bikeways.  Is a sharrow, a 
bike box, or a BMUFL or STR sign "infrastructure"?

IMHO, a low-traffic local street grid and appropriately calmed traffic on 
commercial streets provide the most fundamental and beneficial "bike 
infrastructure" for urban core communities.  Much of Alexandria (except the 
West End, of course) already has that, but many arterial streets should be 
redesigned and operated to induce motorists to drive slower.

America needs transformational culture change regarding personal 
transportation.  A simple-minded quest for "bike infrastructure" is not a 
winning strategy.

Allen Muchnick
Arlington VA


--- On Thu, 4/29/10, Jonathan Krall <jonathan at jonathankrall.net> wrote:

> Another great statement on cycling
> from our friend Ray La Hood.
>
> From the Secretary of Transportation: What we know about
> bike infrastructure ...
> > http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/04/what-we-know-about-bike-infrastructure-people-want-it.html#more




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