Bicycle Prudence
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 3:27 pm
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/loc ... ge-646172/
(Pittsburgh bicyclist killed by hit&run driver)
The story that I (think I have) linked was very striking to me for a couple of reasons. First, it took place on the doorstep of a house that I lived in for a couple years back in the 70's, but also because I was riding my bike on that very same street not two weeks ago.
The street is Penn Avenue, which has some local history, as it is part of the Great Penn-Lincoln parkway. If I'm not mistaken, it was the first road to span the entirety of Pennsylvania.
Penn Avenue in this section of town is a heavily travelled four-lane road with intersections every couple hundred yards, about half of which have traffic lights. During the work week there is no parking on either side during business hours and there are usually two lanes of traffic going in each direction. During business hours, there is NO ROOM for a bicycle or pedestrian on the street. There are occasional gaps in the traffic due to the stop lights, but these people are going to and from work, and they are usually going at at least 35 mph. This accident took place in the early morning, so traffic was probably relatively light and faster than it would be later in the morning. (During non-business hours parking is allowed, there is one lane of traffic in each direction, and there is arguably room enough for a bicycle, provided no one opens their car door).
BUT when I was on that street a couple weeks ago, I judged that it was not safe to ride in the street and I was riding the sidewalk. As any biker knows it is no fun riding the sidewalk - there are not only pedestrians, but the quality of the pavement is relatively terrible, with cracks, spalled concrete and overhanging tree branches - but in spite of those inconveniences I was simply too intimidated to venture out onto the street with my bike.
Old people (like me) tend to be more cautious than younger folk. In my 40's when I rode on Penn Avenue I usually took my chances riding in the street, like this guy did.
Is this possibly an advantage to being old and easily intimidated?
(Pittsburgh bicyclist killed by hit&run driver)
The story that I (think I have) linked was very striking to me for a couple of reasons. First, it took place on the doorstep of a house that I lived in for a couple years back in the 70's, but also because I was riding my bike on that very same street not two weeks ago.
The street is Penn Avenue, which has some local history, as it is part of the Great Penn-Lincoln parkway. If I'm not mistaken, it was the first road to span the entirety of Pennsylvania.
Penn Avenue in this section of town is a heavily travelled four-lane road with intersections every couple hundred yards, about half of which have traffic lights. During the work week there is no parking on either side during business hours and there are usually two lanes of traffic going in each direction. During business hours, there is NO ROOM for a bicycle or pedestrian on the street. There are occasional gaps in the traffic due to the stop lights, but these people are going to and from work, and they are usually going at at least 35 mph. This accident took place in the early morning, so traffic was probably relatively light and faster than it would be later in the morning. (During non-business hours parking is allowed, there is one lane of traffic in each direction, and there is arguably room enough for a bicycle, provided no one opens their car door).
BUT when I was on that street a couple weeks ago, I judged that it was not safe to ride in the street and I was riding the sidewalk. As any biker knows it is no fun riding the sidewalk - there are not only pedestrians, but the quality of the pavement is relatively terrible, with cracks, spalled concrete and overhanging tree branches - but in spite of those inconveniences I was simply too intimidated to venture out onto the street with my bike.
Old people (like me) tend to be more cautious than younger folk. In my 40's when I rode on Penn Avenue I usually took my chances riding in the street, like this guy did.
Is this possibly an advantage to being old and easily intimidated?
I've found that horn to be an indispensable life-saver, as the most common excuse for collisions is; 'I didn't see them.' ...then, you're damn well gonna hear me!
