Halifax Active Transportation

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Zealotry at it's finest..............

Or lunacy or any number of other words. I don't think I've seen anyone ride a bike past my home since November.

[Haliguy]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

This is what irritates the hell out of me in these discussions.

- A statement is made that appears illogical (or untrue), but the statement seems aimed at 'selling' the idea of how great it is.

- Somebody reads this statement, realizes that it doesn't seem right, and questions the point.

- A reply follows up, that doesn't really answer the question, but leads to more reasons why this is a great thing.

- Then, typically, the person who questioned the statement becomes accused of being "anti-bike" or against bike infrastructure, or part of some imagined fictional car coalition, when really they just wanted a factual answer to their question.

Oxford defines capacity as:


The Macdonald Bridge flyover ramp connects the bikeway on the bridge to North Street.

Source

Assuming that capacity of the flyover ramp is equal or greater than the bridge bikeway, then it will do nothing more than maintain capacity.

So the answer is no. It will not increase capacity.

And that's fine. Just tell it like it is, and stop using 'used car salesman' tactics to try to sell us on the idea.

So tired of wading through the bullcrap and then being made to feel like I'm some kind of bicyclist-hating ogre just because I would like to have some straight answers to my questions (as so many more would like as well).

FWIW, when most of us feel like we are being lied to, or at least told half-truths, then we become suspicious that somebody is trying to pull something on us. I fully support bicycle infrastructure, and don't know any way to state this more clearly, but I will never understand why the bicycle activist community thinks they need to fool people in order to achieve their goals.

That's it.

Just a heads-up: I'm no longer going to get dragged into another useless back-and-forth like I allowed myself to do on the previous pages. I already know how it plays out, and am tired of rude and sarcastic responses. On my part I will try to not allow myself to sink to the level of also communicating in such a manner.

It will increase biking across the bridge!

[bartekci]

While these goons sit on a forum and whine about cyclists (instead of doing something productive), many people are getting around just fine on two wheels

Regular data (for a very limited section of the city) is available here https://twitter.com/BikeHfxStats

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

Oh good grief

He was pulling your chain. And it worked.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Bloody meddling Amsterdam flatlanders, spreading this vile creed to a city with notoriously unlevel terrain. There are so many heart-attack hills in Halifax that a move to ubiquitous bicycling culture would overwhelm our ERs with hundreds of out of shape people who shouldn't normally get within a metre of a velocipede.

Zealotry at it's finest..............

You capture the unhinged anti-cyclist essence well. A+ quality satire

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by fatscat

While these goons sit on a forum and whine about cyclists (instead of doing something productive), many people are getting around just fine on two wheels

Regular data (for a very limited section of the city) is available here https://twitter.com/BikeHfxStats

Are you sure you want to publish results that paltry? Talk about building an argument to take away resources. I would also assume that most of those trips can be cut in half assuming that folks took a trip to place of Employment or business and a return trip. I always thought in my guts that the Bike bunch were at most 1% of the travelling public but really these numbers truly put that cohort at the 1% of the 1%.

Be careful what you wish for folks. The Greens just got wiped out -through the democratic process- in the P.E.I.election.

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by fatscat

While these goons sit on a forum and whine about cyclists (instead of doing something productive), many people are getting around just fine on two wheels

Regular data (for a very limited section of the city) is available here https://twitter.com/BikeHfxStats

GOONS!? I will have you know Sir I am a GEEK, and damned proud of it.

[Haliguy]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

Are you sure you want to publish results that paltry? Talk about building an argument to take away resources. I would also assume that most of those trips can be cut in half assuming that folks took a trip to place of Employment or business and a return trip. I always thought in my guts that the Bike bunch were at most 1% of the travelling public but really these numbers truly put that cohort at the 1% of the 1%.

Be careful what you wish for folks. The Greens just got wiped out -through the democratic process- in the P.E.I.election.

So??

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

It will increase biking across the bridge!

Then people should just say that. Smoke and mirrors are not necessary.

I hope it does increase cycling across the bridge (and by association, overall cycling numbers), but there's no need to 'sell' it. Tell it like it is.

[LikesBikes]

The anti-bike brigade is by far the most easily triggered subgroup on this forum. Any mention of the word 'bike' results in like a dozen dumb takes on the subject.

[bartekci]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

Are you sure you want to publish results that paltry? Talk about building an argument to take away resources. I would also assume that most of those trips can be cut in half assuming that folks took a trip to place of Employment or business and a return trip. I always thought in my guts that the Bike bunch were at most 1% of the travelling public but really these numbers truly put that cohort at the 1% of the 1%.

Be careful what you wish for folks. The Greens just got wiped out -through the democratic process- in the P.E.I.election.

I think you're my favourite poster on this forum

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

Are you sure you want to publish results that paltry? Talk about building an argument to take away resources. I would also assume that most of those trips can be cut in half assuming that folks took a trip to place of Employment or business and a return trip. I always thought in my guts that the Bike bunch were at most 1% of the travelling public but really these numbers truly put that cohort at the 1% of the 1%.

Be careful what you wish for folks. The Greens just got wiped out -through the democratic process- in the P.E.I.election.

But it's a start. More people cycle now than did, say 5 years ago, I think (no data to back that up).

I get that the cycling stats posted on that twitter feed for all of March (11,670) were about 1/40th or 1/50th of an average day's vehicle traffic across the MacKay bridge, but every one of those cyclists could be one car off the road (or one empty seat on a bus). You have to start somewhere.


Source

Whether this has something to do with the influence of some cycling advocacy from Amsterdam is debatable, but I don't think we should ever see more cyclists using the cycling infrastructure built by the city as being a bad thing.

It will be interesting to see if it ever 'takes off' like the coalition is indicating, or whether it plateaus at a low percentage once the infrastructure is in place. Only time will tell, regardless of whatever 'sell job' people are dishing out.

I hope it takes off and we see the infrastructure packed with cyclists, with a resultant huge decrease in powered vehicles on the road. Also I'd like to see some decent transit options, but I'm not holding my breath.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by LikesBikes

The anti-bike brigade is by far the most easily triggered subgroup on this forum. Any mention of the word 'bike' results in like a dozen dumb takes on the subject.

I see triggering on both 'sides'.

But why are there sides? Let's just discuss pragmatically. It's not a war or a competition, just another way of getting around. Think.

[Saul Goode]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

I see triggering on both 'sides'.

But why are there sides? Let's just discuss pragmatically. It's not a war or a competition, just another way of getting around. Think.

Yes. What you said.

Discussing cycling on this forum up to now has been about as productive and useful as a roomful of Americans discussing guns or abortion.

[Summerville]

Originally Posted by Saul Goode

Yes. What you said.

Discussing cycling on this forum up to now has been about as productive and useful as a roomful of Americans discussing guns or abortion.

Amen

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by Haliguy

So??

So while the Bike subject is but a rare hobby for those that use them and a little fun on the internet for folks like us on an open forum, should the Bike subject rise in interest to be determined, in a definitive democratic vote of more or less, be careful what you hope for.

Most folks in HRM do not give two hoots about Bikes, they just don't. Its something to teach the Kids and to do in warmer weather with family and friends. All the arguments for scarce transportation dollars are virtue driven
statements for the hoping, dreaming, lets hope I don't die going to work bunch.

I get it, the local powers that be are ready to stand for a picture and direct City coffers to spend some resources to be perceived as progressive. However this City and its geographic limitations and weather DO NOT justify the disproportionate investment demanded and skillfully lobbied for by a tiny group of our Citizens. The same City Fathers cannot deliver a Transit system that would use bike space demands far more efficiently.

I know I will not change minds of the Bike riders and so be it.

[Keith P.]

The last few years of spending by Sam Austin on cycling measures in his district that finally hit close to home for constituents, who have concluded they are pure folly and utterly wasteful, will likely see him defeated in the next election if he decides to run, assuming there is someone who can walk and chew gum at the same time going up against him. He has already stated he may not run at all because of the criticism he has received for this.

[Haliguy]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

So while the Bike subject is but a rare hobby for those that use them and a little fun on the internet for folks like us on an open forum, should the Bike subject rise in interest to be determined, in a definitive democratic vote of more or less, be careful what you hope for.

Most folks in HRM do not give two hoots about Bikes, they just don't. Its something to teach the Kids and to do in warmer weather with family and friends. All the arguments for scarce transportation dollars are virtue driven
statements for the hoping, dreaming, lets hope I don't die going to work bunch.

I get it, the local powers that be are ready to stand for a picture and direct City coffers to spend some resources to be perceived as progressive. However this City and its geographic limitations and weather DO NOT justify the disproportionate investment demanded and skillfully lobbied for by a tiny group of our Citizens. The same City Fathers cannot deliver a Transit system that would use bike space demands far more efficiently.

I know I will not change minds of the Bike riders and so be it.

I will never understand negativity like that. It takes time to build a biking culture, Montreal is a great example. With the right infrastructure that connects all the way through, its a great alternative to driving a car all the time. I always use to drive and now I bike twice a week to work. It saves money, good for the environment, and great exercise. Its win, win, win.

[LikesBikes]

There's no reason Halifax cannot be a great cycling city. Fortunately, as the peninsula densifies it be inevitable that support for more bike infrastructure will increase as it's not realistic for everyone to own a car and people will not want to be limited to using transit or walking.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by LikesBikes

There's no reason Halifax can't be a great cycling city. Fortunately, as the peninsula densifies improving bike infrastructure will inevitable as it's not realistic for everyone to own a car and people will not want to be limited to using transit or walking.

Halifax is easily set up to be a great cycling city. The peninsula is already sitting at about 80,000 people, and is heading to 100,000. That population is spread over a small geographic area which also includes major institutional, cultural and employment centres. And it's honestly not all that hilly, outside of the downtown core.

Weather-wise, there's really only four months of weather that poses a challenge most years, from December to March. And this past winter even December and January were easy for biking. There were only about six or seven snowy, icy weeks from February to mid-March.