A new, safer dawn for local cyclists?

I like to think we all recognize the value of living in a "bike friendly community." (At the "bronze" level... but hey, it's better than nuttin'!) And that all of us are dismayed when we hear of tragic accidents resulting in cyclist injuries or fatalities.

With last summer's three fatalities still painfully in mind, on January 12 the City Council considered - and passed, with minor but significant amendments - some new laws recommended by the mayor's Cycling Safety Task Force.

Highlights:
- It is now a misdemeanor to throw or "expel" stuff at cyclists or pedestrians, or to intentionally harass them.
- Cyclists have to get off and walk, on crowded sidewalks.
- Cyclists can now be charged with misdemeanor "reckless cycling."
- Motorists must leave a safety buffer of at least three feet when passing a cyclist. (When presented to the Council, there was a "whenever possible" clause. But after testimony and discussion, that clause was removed. It's "at least three feet period" as enacted.)

Essentially all of the testimony generally favored the new laws. The last lady to testify was the exception. She told some harrowing tales of near-misses with irresponsible sidewalk-riding cyclists, and wanted mandatory registration of bicycles and mandatory display of a registration number, so citizens could better identify the scofflaws when complaining. (I was sympathetic to her - bonehead cyclists are the worst possible thing for the cycling community.)

The new laws were passed 6-0. Mayor Bieter was absent; Council President Maryanne Jordan was acting mayor at the session.

I testified that it's meaningless to pass new laws, if there's little enthusiasm about enforcing those laws. (In the past, the stated position of the Boise Police Department has been, "Bicycle violations are not a priority." I've not seen anything to indicate that position has changed.) I told the Council members they could do more to make cycling safer by enforcing existing laws. (But I can also support the newly-passed laws.)

Councilmen Shealy and Eberle both stated that "we can't legislate respect and courtesy." Nevertheless, I always hope respect and courtesy can be maintained, for everyone's safety and sanity.

The Task Force also recommended stepped up enforcement and education. If I were in charge, those would be my areas of emphasis. (Previous commentary HERE.)

Clancy was also in attendance, and gave some fine testimony. Afterwards he showed me his cool LED strobe/headlight. [Clancy - I could still see you clearly, among a number of cars, when I was 4 or 5 blocks up the road. That light is a keeper!]

(I snapped the photo on the morning of Jan. 11.)

Transportation Model

Standing on the corner for a couple minutes each morning and afternoon, waiting for the bus, has given me the opportunity to do a casual survey of traffic going by. This is nothing new... but once again I am amazed at how many of the vehicles are occupied by only the driver! Single-occupant vehicle is the de-facto standard mode of transportation, obviously.

Imagine if we were starting from scratch.

Somebody - a visionary; we'll call him Edsel Ford - is giving a presentation to the movers-and-shakers, on his dream of modern utopian transportation. It would go something like this:

I have a dream.

I see a vast grid of paved roadways, 30 to 80 feet wide, and stretching for miles and miles. In fact, these roadways could be accurately called the core component of our civilization.

People live far away from their places of work, the merchants they patronize, and their entertainment venues. Since they live so far away, non-motorized transportation is impractical. In order to get where they are going, they need motorized carriages. And because they aren't all going in the same direction and at the same time, each member of the household has his own carriage. These motorized carriages have 4-6 seats, but only one is used on the vast majority of trips.

These carriages weigh 3000-6000 pounds each. They are 7 feet wide and 13-20 feet long. They travel at speeds that weren't even imagined, less than 100 years before. Because of the speeds, and the distracted state and/or incompetence of the carriage drivers, there are frequent accidents resulting in property damage, injuries, and loss of life. But that's a price our society is more than willing to pay.

Of course, the grid of paved roadways needs to be adequate to provide reasonably quick passage. There is a space to park these carriages at their various destinations, as well as at the residences.

These carriages have an internal-combustion engine that burns volatile, highly toxic hydrocarbon fuel, and emits poisonous vapors into the air we all breathe. Small price, to enjoy our preferred mode of transportation.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen - I have a dream. Mine eyes have seen the glory!

Any chance the movers-and-shakers would buy in? Seems unlikely to me. And if they did, they shouldn't be moving and shaking.

Ride Idaho this summer?

What better to do on a gray winter day, than dream about those summer days?

Here's something to daydream about... Ride Idaho 2010.

Ride Idaho is "an annual seven day all-ability cycling tour through the beautiful state of Idaho. The tour is organized and administered by the Treasure Valley Family YMCA and Ride Idaho, a non-profit organization powered by the dedication of local volunteers. We have peddled [sic] our way through the roads of Idaho since 2005."

Peddled? How about pedaled... unless part of the experience is selling brushes, pots and pans, or encyclopedias along the route? (Hahaha!)

This year the route starts and ends in Coeur d'Alene (August 8-14) and takes participants on a big loop around northern Idaho and a bit of NW Montana. I've not bicycled those roads, but I've ridden most of them by motorcycle. The scenery is spectacular; the terrain would be challenging on a bike, but not totally intimidating (unless you decide to do it on your single-speed cruiser!). Just last summer I rode on the narrow 2-lane through Murray to Thompson Falls, MT. There will be some altitude changes on Day 5!

They say it's for "all abilities," and I'm sure that's true. HOWEVER... nobody should conclude that they can be physically prepared for this ride if their "training" consists of 3-mile jaunts on the Greenbelt. I say you better be able to ride at least 30 miles. (If you can ride 30 miles, you should be able to ride 50 or 60 or 70, given the time.)

You provide bike, pedal power, camping gear, etc. They provide camping space, meals and snacks, gear transport, mobile shower service and shower facilities, mechanical support and evening entertainment. (Cost - $625)

It's limited to 300 riders. Signup started on January 1 and I suspect it won't take too much time to fill up. I'd love to do it, but for varying reasons (mostly financial), it's too early to start making plans.

Other opportunities?

I've blogged previously about other "rails to trails" bicycle vacation opportunities that await in northern Idaho.

There's also the Weiser River Trail in southwest Idaho, a rail-to-trail stretching roughly from Weiser to New Meadows. It's packed dirt in most places, and probably not suitable for a road bike. Clancy rode it last year, and says you want to do it EARLY in the year, or you'll need to stop and fill the radiator too often. There's also an annual wagon-train event sometime in May; you may want to consider that when scheduling.

I'm sure glad the days are getting longer!!

Public hearing on cycling safety ordinances

Last year, following three local cycling fatalities, Boise's mayor convened an ad-hoc task force to come up with recommendations on how cycling could be made safer. (Previous commentary HERE.) Among their recommendations was the enactment of some new city ordinances, for both motorists and cyclists. Most are similar to laws that are on the books in other states and cities.

A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 12, beginning at 6pm for citizens to testify.

A summary of the ordinances (from the City Website):
• A new law making it a misdemeanor for a motorist or any person to intentionally intimidate or harass a cyclist by threatening physical injury or throwing an object at him or her.
• A new prohibition on reckless operation of a bicycle in a manner "as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property," also a misdemeanor.
• A requirement that, whenever possible, a motorist provide a minimum safe distance of three feet when passing a cyclist.
• Specific rules for riding bicycles on sidewalks, including a requirement that the cyclist dismount "when the number of pedestrians using the sidewalk renders bicycle riding on the sidewalk unsafe."
• Creation of "heels down" zones on specific, highly congested sidewalks (such as downtown) where cyclists would be required to dismount at all times.
• Clarification that motorists at intersections must yield to oncoming cyclists when turning left and cannot cut off cyclists traveling in the same direction when turning right.

Do we need new laws?

I'm not convinced. Primarily because as I see it, the most pressing problems are lack of education and lack of enforcement. There are already laws on the books to regulate both driving and cycling, that our law enforcers elect not to enforce. (Or to classify as "low priority.")

What good will a half-dozen new unenforced laws do?

Instead, let's have the Mayor and Council direct the police department to learn the bicycle-related laws, and enforce them more vigorously! (I hope I can attend the hearing and make that comment.)

On a brighter note, the news release says, "Work is progressing on other recommendations... including expanded cycling safety education programs." I hope so - that could actually make a difference!

Distracted drivers? You ain't seen nothin' yet!

The annual Consumer Electronics Show is underway in Vegas. It's a good place to track future trends.

Bob T brought this article to my attention from the NY Times web page: "Despite Risks, Internet Creeps Onto Car Dashboards."

In the near future, not only will drivers be holding their hot Starbucks in one hand and yammerin' on the phone... they can also Google as they drive! New car-based "infotainment systems" will have console-mounted 10-inch screens, where the driver can display hi-def videos, 3-D maps, and Web pages.

Some of the functions will be disabled while the car is in motion, apparently. Safety first! (Yeah, right!) The Audi's screen will display a message: "Please only use the online services when traffic conditions allow you to do so safely."

Yeah, drivers have such good judgment! The article points out that way back in 2003, motorists distracted only by their cellphones caused 2600 fatal accidents and 570,000 injury accidents. Wait 'til they're carrying on a conversation and looking at a console-mounted screen, at 75 mph!

As I've said before... responsibility! If motorists were only putting themselves, and perhaps their passengers, in mortal danger, I'd be totally in favor of giving them the choice. Unfortunately, they just as frequently involve bystanders as "collateral damage," and I am not OK with that!

UPDATE 1/8: "CES: Ford unveils Tweeting car"

"... the company will produce a range of vehicles which can read motorist's twitter messages to them as they drive down the street. Drivers may even be able to Tweet replies as the cars will feature voice recognition technology. But composing Tweets will not be possible on the first models, due out in the US later this year, because of safety fears."

(I must be getting old - having "safety fears" means you're getting old... right?)

Resolutions, Schmesolutions!

My employer offers a sweet optional "perk" - a nice exercise room with stationary bikes, jogging treadmills, stair-steppers, free weights, aerobic classes, etc. When I started employment, it was only $5 per month. (I think it's still only $10.) I decided to sign up over the first winter, thinking I could hop on a stationary bike or rowing machine on those days when riding conditions were dicey. I signed up on December 1.

December was okay. Personally I found stationary bike riding to be tedious and boring... but at least it was exercise and I could watch the TV news while I pedaled. On some days I opted for the variety of a rowing machine... but it all feels like hamster-on-a-treadmill, compared to riding a bike with scenery rolling by, or rowing a boat. I would never have the self-discipline to exercise just for the sake of exercising, I'm afraid. (That's one of the wonderful things about riding a bike! Multiple paybacks!)

On the first day back of the new year... I was flabbergasted! The place was FULL of sweating, heavy-breathing patrons! All the newer machines were occupied; I settled for an older one for the day, and wondered if I'd have to adjust my schedule or something, to continue comfortably using the facility.

My worries were premature. The very next day (!!), the crowd had thinned back out again, almost to pre-new-year levels. And within a week, it was business as usual.

WEIRD!

But then again... perhaps lots of people made a new year's resolution:

NEXT YEAR, NO MATTER WHAT ELSE HAPPENS, I WILL EXERCISE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR!!!

Missing my Wheels

I've still got a couple weeks to go (following my recent surgery), before I can confidently straddle that bicycle and ride.

When the roads are dry and the sun is shining, it's particularly tough! I'm counting the days, and gazing longingly at that almost-new bike sitting there, waiting for me.

There are places I want to go, but I just hate the notion of getting behind the wheel of the wife's Family Truckster... it's like surrendering. (Perhaps I feel a little like the motorist whose vehicle is broke-down, and he's looking - grimacing distastefully - at his bicycle and not relishing the notion of having to go somewhere on that thing...)

I've been walking a lot. Any place within about a mile radius is fair game. (I'd go farther, but for time constraints.)

On Saturday I fired up the motorcycle for the first time in a couple weeks. (Gotta keep the battery charged... and it does have a plush, soft, wide saddle.) And rode the "Ten Mile Creek Loop" - out Cloverdale to Hubbard / Ten Mile Creek Road, then back in on Pleasant Valley Road. It was sunny and in the high 30s at the time, and was very enjoyable. (I started out very cautiously, because I was seeing patches of black ice.) I saw some cyclists, including one that looked like it might've been Clancy. (Clancy, did you ride out Pleasant Valley on Saturday with a couple friends?)