DSC
Superstar
Member Bio
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2008
- Messages
- 19,358
- Reaction score
- 27,328
- Location
- St Lawrence Market Area
I think that bike lanes are a really bad idea because the safety of bike lanes is questionable. Even "separated" bike lanes have the problem that right turning cars can hit bicycles, so they are not as safe as they appear, and on Sherbourne cars often parking in them. ... My opinion is that bicycling is basically a fad because it is too dangerous, with or without bike lanes, and will disappear within the next 10 years; the failure of Bixi is an early indicator of this.
So much to argue with...
I use the Sherbourne bike lanes several times a week and from my observation the lanes are now very seldom blocked by parked cars. When they first opened they were definitely blocked far more often but a combination of driver education and better enforcement has really made a big difference.
Being a pedestrian is also dangerous, is that too going to fade away so cars can have more space and/or go faster?
I am not sure Bixi has failed (here or elsewhere) but it could certainly be strengthened as one of its weaknesses is that it only covers a small part of the densely-populated parts of the City. Also, Bixi is not a substitute for owning a bike for exercise or longer commutes since one is restricted to 30-minute trips. Bikes will be around long after most (all?) UTers are not.