Comments on: Links: Bikes, transit and death on America’s roads

By: ybpbkdipfk

ybpbkdipfk — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 06:01:47 +0000

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By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:30:08 +0000

Germany also has speed cams that automatically send you a ticket if you speed in the areas where there is a speed limit. And Germany has trains, subways, buses, etc. so people with 20/80 vision, seizures, unstable diabetes, angina, etc don’t have to drive. They have frequent and rigid safety inspections for cars, which a country can get away with if the poor people can get to work without a car. So with most of the drivers able to see, not on the brink of passing out, and driving something with most of the parts still attached, it’s not surprising that they are fairly safe.

By: Froggie

Froggie — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:04:25 +0000

Well K, also consider that Germany has much stricter and more expensive driver licensing standards than we do in the U.S. The additional training required over there pays off in the form of better drivers.

By: K Anderson

K Anderson — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:28:43 +0000

In response to “Doom on America’s roads?” I would like to point out, as I have in previous posts, America’s vehicular fatality rate is no better, and at times worse, than that of Germany where some 70% of the Autobahn system has no speed limit. I do not want to derail this thread but merely point out to all of those perpetuating the “speed kills” myth, including our State Patrol, that the statistics show time and time again that speed is not necessarily as dangerous as some would have us believe.

By: Froggie

Froggie — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:15:56 +0000

Moderately busy, as city streets go.

Also, busy enough to where, combined with volumes along the Greenway, it might actually meet the signal warrant criteria.

As for a signal there, a typical signal runs in the $200K-300K neighborhood, so if Mary wants to get the fund drive started, that’s the goal…:o)

By: botski

botski — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:39:24 +0000

I have been looking forward to this bridge for a long time, but I don’t know jack about 28th, how busy it is, etc. You guys have me worried now.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:29:08 +0000

I, too, was very exciting about the new Greenway Bridge until I read that there will be a crossing at 28th.

The two pros I saw for the bridge were: not stopping momentum to wait for a long light, and there is going to be an “observation point” on the new bridge.

The one con, which overtakes the two pros, is the new crossing at 28th. What in the world!

By: Elsa

Elsa — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:05:42 +0000

Much as I love to see money going to bike-friendly projects, the bridge over Hiawatha baffles me. I’ve never heard of accidents there, and as JJ says, it’s not hard or scary to wait at the light. While the bridge looks cool, I worry that it won’t get used. As a bike commuter, I try to go places in the most efficient possible way. Why would I purposefully choose a longer, more uphill route over the direct route across the street? Especially if there’s an uncontrolled crossing at the end where I’ll probably have to wait just as long for a break in traffic? It’s pointless.

Between this and the ramp before Franklin and Lyndale, I have to wonder if the people who design these things even ride bikes regularly.

By: Matty

Matty — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:39:13 +0000

One more doom reference (19 seconds):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdJZhdi_-Tc

I actually like this one better (from Cannibal the Musical), but didn’t know it was posted.

It even has French subtitles. Parfait!

By: jj

jj — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:20:43 +0000

I never quite understood how the new bridge over Hiawatha @ 28th was going to be safer. In a couple years of regular riding through that intersection, I have NEVER had a problem with traffic. Sure, I had to wait until the stoplight changed, and occasionally a large group of cyclists would build up at the corners, but I never had any altercations with any motorists there.

Now they build this fancy new bridge over Hiawatha so that cyclists have to cross over 28th?? This year, while construction has been ongoing, I am typically crossing 28th near The Depot and using the sidewalk along Hiawatha. I have had several close calls crossing 28th and could see this would be an issue…