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Author Topic: Bicyclists and Open Streets  (Read 1084 times)

Offline kscher

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Bicyclists and Open Streets
« on: September 27, 2020, 01:02:53 PM »
As I was walking down 34th today, a bicyclist sped by me so quickly and closely that I was almost knocked over. (No, I was not in the bike lane, I make certain never to walk there.). It was not the first time this has happened.  The bicyclist then screamed expletives at me.

What is the protocol for bicyclists and Open Streets?  Are they supposed to use the bike lane?  Please note I am not for or against Open Streets.  The community will decide what it decides.  I am against pedestrians being injured.
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Offline theplanesland

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2020, 01:16:37 PM »
Quote from: kscher on September 27, 2020, 01:02:53 PM
As I was walking down 34th today, a bicyclist sped by me so quickly and closely that I was almost knocked over. (No, I was not in the bike lane, I make certain never to walk there.). It was not the first time this has happened.  The bicyclist then screamed expletives at me.

What is the protocol for bicyclists and Open Streets?  Are they supposed to use the bike lane?  Please note I am not for or against Open Streets.  The community will decide what it decides.  I am against pedestrians being injured.

The protocol is that they are supposed to "share the road" (can use any part of the road, just like everyone else) but should not be moving at faster than 5mph like all vehicles on the shared road. But some people are inconsiderate!
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Offline hum@njukebox1

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2020, 10:08:32 AM »
Cyclists should use the bike lane and pedestrians should use the rest of the road and the sidewalks.  That goes for joggers too.  The bike lane is the bike lane.
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Offline jo3boxer

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2020, 12:36:13 PM »
a cyclist who's interested in fitness (ie speed) should not be on the walking path, bike lane or not. there are often too many people and even the barricades are sometimes in the bike lane.

kids and people going at a leisurely pace with family should be fine, but they should not be moving at a pace that you should be concerned with at all.

your story is ridiculous, i'd probably be screaming expletives back at them, bike lane or not.
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Offline Ms. Jackson

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2020, 02:39:57 PM »
Many cyclists are definitely going to fast and zooming around pedestrians, barricades, in and out of the bike lane. I am surprised there hasn't been any collisions, yet. This goes for the mopeds and scooters, too. I feel safer with the cars on the street!
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Offline AndyJH

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2020, 05:18:23 PM »
Quote from: hum@njukebox1 on September 28, 2020, 10:08:32 AM
Cyclists should use the bike lane and pedestrians should use the rest of the road and the sidewalks.  That goes for joggers too.  The bike lane is the bike lane.

^This! (and yes, cyclists should abide by the 5mph rule, too)
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Offline JHResident

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2020, 06:08:45 PM »
Pedestrians have the right of way everywhere. Bicyclists need to slow down and yield.
Also, while it's not clear whether the bike lanes are in effect on 34th Ave, I don't think they ever repainted the lanes between 69th Street and 75th Street, which causes more confusion. I think this initiative is good overall, but if it's going to continue, they need to make the regulations clearer.
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Offline itsit

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2020, 07:47:00 PM »
 This is one of the major topics that needs to be addressed about the 34th Ave Open Streets but which is being tabled by the advocates. People are getting hit and grazed by speeding bicyclists left and right. I think the litigation will be decisive about keeping the streets open and though nothing fatal has occurred yet -thanks god- there have been a number of incidents with cyclists speeding among pedestrians. In fairness to the cyclists, this bike lane has been here for over a decade and was usually busy and then the Open Streets was layered on top without a plan or any active supervision. It would have been helpful to employ the furloughed traffic cops here but there was push back on anyone overseeing the street.
   Let's see what the lawsuits bring and I hope everyone stays safe as our days get shorter and the darkness comes earlier to the open street further hampering a cyclist vision of pedestrians on the Ave.
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Offline frances

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2020, 08:00:45 PM »
Quote from: JHResident on September 28, 2020, 06:08:45 PM
Pedestrians have the right of way everywhere. Bicyclists need to slow down and yield.
Also, while it's not clear whether the bike lanes are in effect on 34th Ave, I don't think they ever repainted the lanes between 69th Street and 75th Street, which causes more confusion. I think this initiative is good overall, but if it's going to continue, they need to make the regulations clearer.

The Open Streets are-by design-also meant to be used by bicyclists. I agree that cyclists shouldn't be bombing the avenue, but I have frequently seen pedestrians in the bike lane. That forces cyclists into the street.
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Offline hum@njukebox1

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2020, 08:42:02 PM »
Exactly.  Pedestrians are in the bike lane.  Joggers are in the bike lane.  Parents with strollers are in the bike lane.  It's absurd.
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Offline Shelby2

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2020, 09:01:51 PM »
Quote from: hum@njukebox1 on September 28, 2020, 08:42:02 PM
Exactly.  Pedestrians are in the bike lane.  Joggers are in the bike lane.  Parents with strollers are in the bike lane.  It's absurd.

It is absurd, but it's also absurd that no one seems to have planned for the fact that bicycles are used to traveling at 20+ mph and still do on the Open Street, despite the sign stating the max speed is 5 mph. It's an accident (or many) waiting to happen. It's also the reason I have been spending less time on 34th Ave lately. I'm afraid of being run down.
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Offline hum@njukebox1

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2020, 11:42:07 PM »
I used to have a speedometer on my bike and the only way I could reach 20 mph was if I was going down a very steep hill.  A normal pace (for me) was about 7 to 8 mph.  5 mph is a nice suggestion, but most bikes are not fitted with speedometers. 
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Offline Shelby2

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #12 on: September 29, 2020, 10:05:37 AM »
Quote from: hum@njukebox1 on September 28, 2020, 11:42:07 PM
I used to have a speedometer on my bike and the only way I could reach 20 mph was if I was going down a very steep hill.  A normal pace (for me) was about 7 to 8 mph.  5 mph is a nice suggestion, but most bikes are not fitted with speedometers.

Well, I wasn't sure either, so I googled it prior to posting, and Google promoted the answer that said beginner cyclists generally ride at 13.5 mph and professional cyclists ride at 25 to 28 mph on flat ground.

So I figured 20 mph was a decent estimation, especially when you factor in the ebikes that some are riding.
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Offline hum@njukebox1

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #13 on: September 29, 2020, 10:59:57 AM »
I must be awfully slow then.
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Offline Shelby2

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Re: Bicyclists and Open Streets
« Reply #14 on: September 29, 2020, 11:30:53 AM »
Quote from: hum@njukebox1 on September 29, 2020, 10:59:57 AM
I must be awfully slow then.

I think neither of us know the exact number mph the bicyclists are going and that's ok. I don't need a specific number to make my point, which is that the way the current situation is on 34th Ave, the bicyclists are going too fast. And yes, I completely agree that if the bike lane were completely cleared for bikes and didn't have an inattentive pedestrian wandering in, or a child scooting over the line on his scooter, etc. then a bit of increased speed would most likely be ok.

But the fact is there's been no attempt made to clear the bike lanes for bikes, so given that, bikes should make sure to slow down to 5 mph so they don't hit someone who is errantly in their lane.

Btw, Google maps uses a speed of 10 mph when calculating bike speed for directions, but many bicyclists find that the time suggested is too long (which means they are going faster than 10 mph). https://bikingbro.com/what-speed-does-google-maps-assume-for-biking/#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20used%20Google's,you're%20riding%20your%20bike.
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