Halifax Active Transportation

[Keith P.]

Yep, I bet lots of people are really enjoying their bikes today -- and most of this miserable winter for that matter.

This is exactly why I continue to assert that "active transportation" is only supported by a small fringe group and is getting far more public money than it rationally deserves.

[Dmajackson]

^Oh Keith what will I ever do with you .... I'd like to point out I have biked this winter and have seen plenty of others on the roads in the last couple of months.

And well to avoid a long rant just remember my petition last year had over a 90% sucess rate and that includes vehicles that I could safely stop in certain locations. Just wait until you see what I have in store fr this year and you won't be stating we are a small fringe group anymore.

[alps]

I bought a bike last month! Got it from the volunteer-run "Bike Again" at the Bloomfield Centre...cool place.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

^Oh Keith what will I ever do with you .... I'd like to point out I have biked this winter and have seen plenty of others on the roads in the last couple of months.

Perhaps I should rephrase my description to "LUNATIC fringe group". Regardless of how crazy a group may be, that does not justify the expenditure of public funds to cater to them, except for mental health treatment.

[someone123]

I think too much is spent on things like trails but those are more feel-good projects than efficient cycling infrastructure.

As a bike commuter in Vancouver my favourite feature was cyclist-accessible traffic signaling for crossing major arteries from the sidestreets that were designated bike routes. That is not expensive.

[fenwick16]

I often wonder how safe it is to be a cyclist in the Halifax area (or any other large city). It seems as though cyclists are hit by vehicles on a regular basis in downtown Toronto. Cars run into other cars on a regular basis; it is just that the consequences are much more serious when it is a bicycle versus a car.

Do most Metro Transit terminals outside the downtown core have bicycle parking for cyclists coming into the city from the suburbs who would prefer to stay out of the busy parts of the city? In other words, "Park and Ride" locations for bicycles where the bicycles are safe from being stolen.

[Jonovision]

Ferry terminal looking for innovative bike rack designs


By JOHN McPHEE

Environment Reporter

Bicycle racks typically wouldn’t top a list of appealing and cre­ative objects.

They’re usually a triangular wooden or metal frame or — even less inspiring — a post stuck in the ground with a hook on top.

But as more people jump on this cheap and healthy mode of transport, HRM’s environmen­tal performance officer puts a different spin on the matter.

Bike racks should do more than provide a secure anchor for your chain lock, says Lauralee Sim.

In that spirit, Sim’s office has put out a call for designs for a new bicycle rack at the Dart­mouth Ferry Terminal.

“I think this is a really great way to showcase how we can (make) public spaces more interesting and creative," Sim said Wednesday. “As opposed to just putting in our standard bike rack, we thought we’d try to engage people a bit more and get people involved by running a competition."

The contest is open to anyone but submissions must include schematic drawings, Sim said.

“It’s ideal if somebody has a little bit of experience or at least the knowledge to pull some­thing together that has some detail to it."

A judges’ panel will choose the winner based on creativity, artistic value, functionality and use of sustainable material.

The idea is based on a contest held last year by WHW Archi­tects and the Wooden Monkey restaurant, Sim said. The win­ning design, called the Wave, was used for bike racks on the waterfront.

Similar competitions in other cities in Canada have produced some imaginative designs, said Sim, herself an avid bicyclist.

For example, racks that resem­ble white horses can be found, where else, in Whitehorse.

The winning design will be announced during Earth Day celebrations during the week of April 22. The rack will be un­veiled during Bike Week, which runs May 27 to June 5.

Go to www.halifax.ca/envi­ronment/ design.html for con­test details. The deadline for submissions is April 4.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

I often wonder how safe it is to be a cyclist in the Halifax area (or any other large city). It seems as though cyclists are hit by vehicles on a regular basis in downtown Toronto. Cars run into other cars on a regular basis; it is just that the consequences are much more serious when it is a bicycle versus a car.

Do most Metro Transit terminals outside the downtown core have bicycle parking for cyclists coming into the city from the suburbs who would prefer to stay out of the busy parts of the city? In other words, "Park and Ride" locations for bicycles where the bicycles are safe from being stolen.

Cyclists do get hit in Halifax from time to time. In my area of concern (the Northwest Region) I've heard of collisions with injuries on the Bedford Highway, Rocky Lake Road, and out in Hammonds Plains. Personally I've been involved in a minor collision around Sunnyside on the Bedford Highway. I have no evidence to back this up but I think the chances of getting involved in an accident is the same for cyclists and motorists however because a cyclist's airbag is asphalt the chances of injury is much greater for cyclists.

I'll let the fact that roads out here in the burb's are just as busy as in town slide to answer this question. As far as I know the bus terminals in Sackville, Cobequid and Tantallon all have bike storage (Class A and B). In Bedford there's no terminal but there is one bus stop with storage thanks to Lawton's Drugs in Mill Cove. The plans for redesigning the Highfeld Terminal also include some storage space. And most buses now have bike racks on them capable of holding two at one time.

[-Harlington-]

Ive seen some citys with a curb separating the bike lane from the road, i wonder how hard it would be to get something like that in halifax.

i know id never want to bike in some areas around here sometimes it feels bad enough walking.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by -Harlington-

Ive seen some citys with a curb separating the bike lane from the road, i wonder how hard it would be to get something like that in halifax.

i know id never want to bike in some areas around here sometimes it feels bad enough walking.

I've tried to get a couple small pilot projects along the Bedford Highway but HRM isn't interested. The city's solution to bike lanes is 'Shared Sidewalks' which are fine in most areas but busy stretches they are horrible.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

I've tried to get a couple small pilot projects along the Bedford Highway but HRM isn't interested. The city's solution to bike lanes is 'Shared Sidewalks' which are fine in most areas but busy stretches they are horrible.

Here is something I found in doing research on Portland. There is a great series on PBS called E squared and I watched the episode on Portland's Streetcars/Aerial Tram. But this caught my eye - this is the typical Portland bike lane that not only has the bike lane marked out in a strong (easily visible) colour, but allows bikers to get ahead of the cars at intersections.

[Dmajackson]

So to avoid posting useless amounts of information on this forum I have created a Twitter account for my bike advocating. It will focus on active transportation news in the Basin area (Bedford, Sackville and Burnside) and is open to comments, complaints and suggestions regarding cycling. My account is @bikingbedford or http://twitter.com/bikingbedford

Earlier today I learned I am almost certainly going to become a member of the Active Transportation Advisory Committee so if fellow forumers have anything they would like passed onto the municipality, councillors or the committee themselves either Tweet me, PM me here, or email me at [email protected] and I'll see what I can do.

BTW if anyone on this forum has a Twitter account just follow me and/or send me a message somehow and I'll follow your account.

[Keith P.]

The most reasonable and rational analysis of bike lane idiocy I have ever read, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal:

Bike lanes violate a fundamental principle of democracy. We, the majority who do not ride bicycles, are being forced to sacrifice our left turns, parking places and chances to squeeze by delivery trucks so that an affluent elite can feel good about itself for getting wet, cold, tired and run-over. Our tax dollars are being used to subsidize our annoyance.

Bicycle riders must be made to bear the burden of this special-interest boondoggle. Bicycle registration fees should be raised until they produce enough revenue to build and maintain new expressways so that drivers can avoid city streets clogged by bike lanes. Special rubber fittings should be made available so that bicycle riders can wear E-ZPass transponders on their noses. And riders' license qualifications should be rigorous, requiring not only written exams and road tests but also bathroom scales. No one is to be allowed on a bicycle if the view he or she presents from behind causes the kind of hysterical laughter that stops traffic.

Bike lanes can become an acceptable part of the urban landscape, if bicycle riders are willing to pay their way. And if they pay enough, maybe we'll even give them a lift during the next snow storm.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704050204576218600999993800.html?KEYWORDS=o%27rourke

[coolmillion]

Hmm... A bit confused. The O'Rourke piece is satirical.

[fenwick16]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

The most reasonable and rational analysis of bike lane idiocy I have ever read, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal:




http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704050204576218600999993800.html?KEYWORDS=o%27rourke

I have to admit that there is a lot of truth in this article even though it is written facetiously.

If only there could be Right of Ways for bicycles so that cyclists don't have to share the road with cars. I rode a bike for a few months for the sake of exercise 20 years ago from Hamilton to work in Burlington (via York Blvd and Plains Road - for people familiar with that area) and also before that for 2 years in Japan (out of necessity). For some reason, riding a bike in North America just doesn't seem as safe as in Japan. Riding a bike in Japan was enjoyable whereas riding a bike in the Hamilton/Burlington area just seemed like an accident waiting to happen. I have a feeling that it is probably the same in the Halifax area (i.e. an accident waiting to happen). For all the cyclists out there, I hope that you will ride safely.

[someone123]

This is a classic issue of perspective where some people just don't see cycling as a viable mode of transportation and are suspicious of some ulterior motive. For most cyclists there's is none; it just makes sense, and either way people should (obviously) be free to choose the transportation method that works for them.

I still commute to work on my bike from time to time (I'll do it all the time when I get a new bike and the weather is nice). It is dirt cheap and a good source of exercise. Because of where I live and work it is faster than transit. My choice to cycle has nothing to do with annoying drivers -- in fact I avoid heavy-traffic routes because they aren't as safe. On balance I think my bike commuting helps other drivers because it means one less car sitting on the highway.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by coolmillion

Hmm... A bit confused. The O'Rourke piece is satirical.

Uh, yeah. I think I noticed that.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by someone123

On balance I think my bike commuting helps other drivers because it means one less car sitting on the highway.

No it isn't, because your bike gets in the way of, is a hazard to, and holds up every other vehicle that encounters it. You should try getting a Hummer.

[DigitalNinja]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

No it isn't, because your bike gets in the way of, is a hazard to, and holds up every other vehicle that encounters it. You should try getting a Hummer.

Screw Hummers, I'm going to get an Abrams tank and take out anyone who gets in my way.

[someone123]

I don't encounter cars because my area has one of these so-called active transportation networks.