Well, I finally did it. I followed the inspiration of cyclist and BikeNazi reader/correspondent Bob T, and got myself a high-visibility safety vest.
I chose the Dickies model, in hi-viz green with red & reflective stripes. It's a little more expensive than many of the offerings online (there are bunches!), but it's ANSI compliant (Class 1) as Bob recommended, and the reflective stripes are 3M Scotchlite, rather than some Chinese knockoff. And, I purchased it from a local merchant. Maybe it'll keep me alive one more day... and perhaps D&B will stay in business one more day.
I wore it out of the store. Obviously it's not a silver bullet or a Force Field, but if it causes just one distracted driver to notice me who otherwise wouldn't have, surely it's worth the $ as well as any slight inconvenience or discomfort. (It's poly mesh, and if it prevented some cooling power, I didn't notice.)
Ironically, as I rode away from the store on Glenwood (a busy 5-lane arterial), I observed a new twist on against-traffic riding.
A kid who looked to be high school age came riding up the street toward me, and against traffic. Not so uncommon. But... this kid was sitting backwards on his 20-inch sting-ray style bike, riding looking over his shoulder, and with a big ol' Alfred E. Neumann grin on his silly face! So was he really riding against traffic? It might take a judge (or St. Peter) to sort THAT one out!
Tireless advocate for the most efficient form of
human transportation ever devised - bicycles!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
It's different in Garden City
Garden City... Boise's puny red-headed step brother... is notorious among cyclists in these parts for having closed off a section of the multi-modal Greenbelt. In a nutshell... when a developer (who now just happens to be Garden City's mayor, John Evans) put together an exclusive riverside subdivision, the state deeded the river-front property to Garden City, with the stipulation that it would be maintained as a "public path." Since bicycles weren't specifically mentioned in the legal agreement, and since the homeowners in the exclusive subdivision didn't want bicycles (for whatever reason), the city maintained the pathway unpaved and off-limits to cyclists.
So - the "vision" of a 40-plus mile, river's edge multi-use non-motorized paved path has a roadblock, near dead center.
(I was disappointed to read that Mayor Evans, and two of his Council toadies, are running for reelection unopposed this November. Are they that popular?)
Strangely, however, the Garden City stretch of the Greenbelt is NOT off-limits to automobiles.
This afternoon I was bicycling on the south side, when suddenly there are two cop cars driving toward me. (On pavement that is barely wide enough to accommodate a cop car.) One cop in each car.
I pulled off the pavement and threw my hands up in dismay. Cop number 1 rolled down his window and asked, "What's the problem?"
I explained I was disappointed to see POLICE CARS on a path that is clearly marked NO MOTOR VEHICLES. (How can they expect the common folk to obey rules that they don't obey?)
Of course, the police (and all "public servants") are above the law. He said matter-of-factly, "These are official emergency vehicles and we are serving a warrant have a nice day." Which certainly didn't include any explanation as to why they were driving on the Greenbelt.
As a rule, I try to respect law enforcement officers. They have a tough job, and I'm sure they are involved in a lot of adversarial situations. But I sincerely believe they would command more respect from us commoners, if they did their level best to NOT put themselves "above the law" unless absolutely necessary. Nobody respects aristocrats who have one set of rules for themselves, and another for the common folk, whether they be in Garden City or Washington, D.C.
Oh - one more thing. Do they learn in Cop School that Rule Number 1 is "Never Smile"? Cops who seem empathetic and compassionate make a much more positive impression, at least on this commoner.
So - the "vision" of a 40-plus mile, river's edge multi-use non-motorized paved path has a roadblock, near dead center.
(I was disappointed to read that Mayor Evans, and two of his Council toadies, are running for reelection unopposed this November. Are they that popular?)
Strangely, however, the Garden City stretch of the Greenbelt is NOT off-limits to automobiles.
This afternoon I was bicycling on the south side, when suddenly there are two cop cars driving toward me. (On pavement that is barely wide enough to accommodate a cop car.) One cop in each car.
I pulled off the pavement and threw my hands up in dismay. Cop number 1 rolled down his window and asked, "What's the problem?"
I explained I was disappointed to see POLICE CARS on a path that is clearly marked NO MOTOR VEHICLES. (How can they expect the common folk to obey rules that they don't obey?)
Of course, the police (and all "public servants") are above the law. He said matter-of-factly, "These are official emergency vehicles and we are serving a warrant have a nice day." Which certainly didn't include any explanation as to why they were driving on the Greenbelt.
As a rule, I try to respect law enforcement officers. They have a tough job, and I'm sure they are involved in a lot of adversarial situations. But I sincerely believe they would command more respect from us commoners, if they did their level best to NOT put themselves "above the law" unless absolutely necessary. Nobody respects aristocrats who have one set of rules for themselves, and another for the common folk, whether they be in Garden City or Washington, D.C.
Oh - one more thing. Do they learn in Cop School that Rule Number 1 is "Never Smile"? Cops who seem empathetic and compassionate make a much more positive impression, at least on this commoner.
Study - Distracted Driving
KidSafe USA, whose mission is "to empower children and parents with personal safety skills to stay safe and think safe," just published a report about "Distracted Drivers in School Zones."
From the KSUSA report: "... research demonstrates that the brain’s ability to perform two or more tasks at the same time generally results in a decreased performance of each task depending on the complexity of the task and how the brain allocates priorities to each task. During every moment of the "Driving Task," vehicle operators are constantly being challenged by a changing environment and road conditions; by the actions of other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians; and by the actions and behavior of passengers and objects in the car. Many drivers also operate their vehicles under less than ideal conditions such as being tired or being physically/emotionally stressed. The sum effect of all these factors makes driving an extremely complex task even under the best of conditions."
Disturbing details:
"... they documented an almost six times greater risk when dialing a phone and 23 times greater risk when texting. Similarly, other studies show that automobile drivers using a phone are four times more likely to crash than drivers not using a phone. This is comparable to drivers with blood-alcohol content of 0.08, the legal definition for drunken driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that in 2003, 240,000 car crashes and 955 deaths occurred due to cell phone use. This may be an underestimation of the true number..."
It goes on to report that distractions aren't caused just by cell-phone use. Other common distractions:
- active conversations with passengers
- preparing, eating, and spilling food
- reaching or leaning
- smoking
- adjusting music device controls
- grooming
KidSafe USA uses the report to emphasize how important it is for drivers to not be distracted while in school zones. I can't help but wonder... why is it okay to drive distracted anywhere else?
I continue to be totally convinced that NO motorist will consciously and deliberately involve himself in an accident. And that the vast majority of vehicle accidents are caused by drivers who are either impaired or distracted.
The KidSafe study can be seen HERE (15 page, 1+ mb PDF document.)
From the KSUSA report: "... research demonstrates that the brain’s ability to perform two or more tasks at the same time generally results in a decreased performance of each task depending on the complexity of the task and how the brain allocates priorities to each task. During every moment of the "Driving Task," vehicle operators are constantly being challenged by a changing environment and road conditions; by the actions of other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians; and by the actions and behavior of passengers and objects in the car. Many drivers also operate their vehicles under less than ideal conditions such as being tired or being physically/emotionally stressed. The sum effect of all these factors makes driving an extremely complex task even under the best of conditions."
Disturbing details:
"... they documented an almost six times greater risk when dialing a phone and 23 times greater risk when texting. Similarly, other studies show that automobile drivers using a phone are four times more likely to crash than drivers not using a phone. This is comparable to drivers with blood-alcohol content of 0.08, the legal definition for drunken driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that in 2003, 240,000 car crashes and 955 deaths occurred due to cell phone use. This may be an underestimation of the true number..."
It goes on to report that distractions aren't caused just by cell-phone use. Other common distractions:
- active conversations with passengers
- preparing, eating, and spilling food
- reaching or leaning
- smoking
- adjusting music device controls
- grooming
KidSafe USA uses the report to emphasize how important it is for drivers to not be distracted while in school zones. I can't help but wonder... why is it okay to drive distracted anywhere else?
I continue to be totally convinced that NO motorist will consciously and deliberately involve himself in an accident. And that the vast majority of vehicle accidents are caused by drivers who are either impaired or distracted.
The KidSafe study can be seen HERE (15 page, 1+ mb PDF document.)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Common Sense from Clancy
My bike-nut friend and frequent correspondent Clancy shares some common-sense suggestions on how motor traffic and bicycle traffic can peacefully coexist, over at the Boise Guardian. Click HERE to read.
He gives very specific suggestions on what every "interest group" can do, to make our community safer and friendlier for cyclists (and in turn, all those other interest groups).
He gives very specific suggestions on what every "interest group" can do, to make our community safer and friendlier for cyclists (and in turn, all those other interest groups).
Lonely streets
So far, it seems we are having an extended summer in these parts. Afternoon highs are consistently getting up into the 90s.
While that's less-than-ideal weather for cycling, it does have the positive effect of keeping the streets fairly empty of casual and fair-weather bike riders. Why, it's probably been at least two days since some bonehead was riding against traffic and directly toward me! Sweeeeet!
Any day now, we'll return to perfect cycling weather, and bike space will become more crowded. And remain that way for a month or so, until the weather becomes less-than-perfect again... those part-time bikes will get hung in the garage for another year.
While that's less-than-ideal weather for cycling, it does have the positive effect of keeping the streets fairly empty of casual and fair-weather bike riders. Why, it's probably been at least two days since some bonehead was riding against traffic and directly toward me! Sweeeeet!
Any day now, we'll return to perfect cycling weather, and bike space will become more crowded. And remain that way for a month or so, until the weather becomes less-than-perfect again... those part-time bikes will get hung in the garage for another year.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
That's gotta hurt!
I was doing a bit of surfing and happened across some information about the recent "Bomber Downhill" ride from Bogus Basin.
Fun! I've ridden down from Bogus twice in my lifetime. The second time, I had paid my dues by riding UP to Bogus.
(For those not familiar, "Bogus" is our local ski area. It sits about a mile above Boise, altitude-wise, and is at the end of a 16-mile twisty paved road. The first 8 miles are a fairly brutal climb... I found out... but if you make it halfway, the second half levels out nicely by
comparison.)
I also happened across a photo of one of the participants... who apparently did a face-plant. Ouch! And... that participant looks suspiciously like frequent BikeNazi correspondent "Clancy."
Clancy... if it's you... I hope you're okay, man! And that your bike survived!
Fun! I've ridden down from Bogus twice in my lifetime. The second time, I had paid my dues by riding UP to Bogus.
(For those not familiar, "Bogus" is our local ski area. It sits about a mile above Boise, altitude-wise, and is at the end of a 16-mile twisty paved road. The first 8 miles are a fairly brutal climb... I found out... but if you make it halfway, the second half levels out nicely by
comparison.)I also happened across a photo of one of the participants... who apparently did a face-plant. Ouch! And... that participant looks suspiciously like frequent BikeNazi correspondent "Clancy."
Clancy... if it's you... I hope you're okay, man! And that your bike survived!
School days!
Yep - that three-month-long party is over, and kids have returned to readin' and writin' and 'rithmetic. And the news outlets are reminding the grownups to be careful, to avoid hitting the kids in the streets.
When I was in school, way back when, there used to be rows and rows of bicycles parked out back, in September. (Not so much in January, but every kid who lived more than 2 blocks from the school, and less than a mile from the school, rode a bike on the nice days. Or so it seemed.) All through elementary and junior high.
Once I arrived at high school, there was a certain prestige and status attached to driving to school, even back then. There were bike racks at Boise High, but they weren't nearly as well-populated as the racks at Roosevelt Elementary and East Junior. I didn't have a car at my disposal, but usually got dropped off, and then either walked or caught a ride to my after-school job. (If I'd known then what I know now, I would've used bike transportation a LOT more! At the time, of course, I thought I knew everything! Some things never change.)
As we jump ahead 35 or 45 years... some things have changed.
Nowadays, riding a bike, or walking to school seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Most of the little dumplings get dropped off at the front door. Moms and dads are too worried about all the crazy drivers, and how dangerous they perceive walking or cycling to be... and they don't want their kids exposed to the dangers of speeding, drunken, phone-calling, text-messaging motorists, kid-snatching perverts, roaming packs of vicious pit-bulls, and all the other stuff we hear about on the news every day.
(By comparison, the dangers of a totally-sedentary lifestyle seem benign. For many kids, the only muscles that get exercised regularly are the videogame muscles and the Cheeto-chewing muscles. Many adults, too.)
We all have a responsibility for doing what we can to keep streets safe for kids. Adults who speed and violate other traffic laws, and who drive while impaired or distracted, are part of the problem. NO - they're not part of the problem; they are the problem! Kids can safely navigate the streets and sidewalks, if they are properly taught by people who know what they're talking about... and if they are mature enough to understand the enormity of the potential consequences of a mistake.
Boise's Dr. Steve Smith offers some advice on how to keep street-going kids safe. His Idaho Statesman piece can be seen HERE.
Another very interesting website for parents is the "Free-Range Kids" blog, HERE. It purports a desire to "give our kids the freedom we had without going nuts with worry." The moderator, Lenore Skenazy, asks, "Do you ever... let your kid ride a bike to the library? Walk alone to school? Take a bus, solo? Or are you thinking about it? If so, you are raising a Free Range Kid! At Free Range, we believe in safe kids. We believe in helmets, car seats and safety belts. We do NOT believe that every time school age children go outside, they need a security detail. Most of us grew up Free Range and lived to tell the tale." Uncommon (in 2009) common sense!
When I was in school, way back when, there used to be rows and rows of bicycles parked out back, in September. (Not so much in January, but every kid who lived more than 2 blocks from the school, and less than a mile from the school, rode a bike on the nice days. Or so it seemed.) All through elementary and junior high.
Once I arrived at high school, there was a certain prestige and status attached to driving to school, even back then. There were bike racks at Boise High, but they weren't nearly as well-populated as the racks at Roosevelt Elementary and East Junior. I didn't have a car at my disposal, but usually got dropped off, and then either walked or caught a ride to my after-school job. (If I'd known then what I know now, I would've used bike transportation a LOT more! At the time, of course, I thought I knew everything! Some things never change.)
As we jump ahead 35 or 45 years... some things have changed.
Nowadays, riding a bike, or walking to school seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Most of the little dumplings get dropped off at the front door. Moms and dads are too worried about all the crazy drivers, and how dangerous they perceive walking or cycling to be... and they don't want their kids exposed to the dangers of speeding, drunken, phone-calling, text-messaging motorists, kid-snatching perverts, roaming packs of vicious pit-bulls, and all the other stuff we hear about on the news every day.
(By comparison, the dangers of a totally-sedentary lifestyle seem benign. For many kids, the only muscles that get exercised regularly are the videogame muscles and the Cheeto-chewing muscles. Many adults, too.)
We all have a responsibility for doing what we can to keep streets safe for kids. Adults who speed and violate other traffic laws, and who drive while impaired or distracted, are part of the problem. NO - they're not part of the problem; they are the problem! Kids can safely navigate the streets and sidewalks, if they are properly taught by people who know what they're talking about... and if they are mature enough to understand the enormity of the potential consequences of a mistake.
Boise's Dr. Steve Smith offers some advice on how to keep street-going kids safe. His Idaho Statesman piece can be seen HERE.
Another very interesting website for parents is the "Free-Range Kids" blog, HERE. It purports a desire to "give our kids the freedom we had without going nuts with worry." The moderator, Lenore Skenazy, asks, "Do you ever... let your kid ride a bike to the library? Walk alone to school? Take a bus, solo? Or are you thinking about it? If so, you are raising a Free Range Kid! At Free Range, we believe in safe kids. We believe in helmets, car seats and safety belts. We do NOT believe that every time school age children go outside, they need a security detail. Most of us grew up Free Range and lived to tell the tale." Uncommon (in 2009) common sense!
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