Let The Games Begin: Nutter Opens Bike Lanes, Says Something About “Rules”
Hooray! The Dude opened up those much-debated bike lanes on Pine and Spruce Sts. early this morning, using the Pine Street lane to ride his own self back to work at City Hall. (We like that it takes like zero effort to get Mike on a bike. Classy move, Dude.) Anyway, now that we are all free to zip up and down Pine and Spruce as we pedal-power please, we bicyclists also have some RESPONSIBILITY. And so, The Dude has issued the following rules (at right). They don’t look too bad. But on the other hand, they make no mention of cabbies gunning for you, suburban moms dropping off their kids at UArts and totally petrified of you actually riding a bike on a public street, and also just the general assholishness of every Philadelphian in a car ever. We’re sure this will work out just fine.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:36 am
at the risk of sounding ungrateful, because i already use and enjoy HAVING bike lanes, but there are so many potholes, patches, sinkholes, and rough surfaces that they’re not exactly a joy to ride on.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:45 am
when I drive, i am an aggressive asshole.
when i ride my bike, i ride like i know there are aggressive assholes like me driving all around.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:47 am
Now if we could just get everyone to chill the fuck out when driving and stop being aggressive assholes (on both sides!) then we’d be golden.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:55 am
then we’d be San Francisco.
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:57 am
It needs to be said again that the reason these streets were picked is because of the terrible shape they are in. They are slated for full repaving next year, so if the pilot is successful, they will become permanent. If not, then they will be paved as usual.
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
SEPTA buses have been trying to kill people lately, too.
I’d like to know how I’m supposed to pass a bus on the left on Broad Street.
Also, I see almost no one using hand signals. I’m not convinced that drivers have any idea what they mean. I end up doing a lot of pointing.
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Instead of “Drivers: watch for bicycles” I wish it was something more like:
“Yes, drivers, you will sometimes have to slow down because a bike is in front of you. And you know what? That’s ok and part of driving in a city.”
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Can we get some rules for walkers too? Namely that they can’t step out in front of bikers, it’s only going to hurt both of us when I crash into you.
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Really excited for the first CYCLISTS ARE LAWBREAKING ASSHOLES WHO GET IN THE WAY OF MY CAR comment. You gotta know it’s coming.
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Also- the bike-riding staffers at CCD have looked at the lanes, have a few thoughts-
http://centercityphila.org/about/BikeLanes.php
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
“Road surface conditions, especially east of Broad Street, are in such a state of disrepair as to be non-navigable in some places.”
Understatement of the year. I have deliberately avoided pine and spruce, and will continue to until they’re paved because they are the worst roads in center city. Total eff-you to paint in bike lanes like it’s some big accomplishment without fixing them first.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Can a brotha get an “Idaho Stop” law up in here?
http://www.cyclelicio.us/2009/04/idaho-stop-law-for-cyclists.html
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I love that law! I want to marry that Idaho law!
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I don’t see how the law makes a difference. They’re not stopping anyway.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
It’s unofficially in effect for most conscientious bikers, but passing the law would make it known to motorists as well. Predictability in both motorists’ and bikers’ behavior will make the roads safer for everyone.
It’s not the answer to everything, but it’s the best thing to come out of Idaho since Built to Spill.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
i like that law. it takes the air out of motorists ire, if you will, over bikes disregarding lights
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
as someone who rides his bike every single day as a mode of city transport, here is what i ask of car drivers:
1. whether you’re driving fast or slow, just maintain your current speed/trajectory. while it may seem like a nice gesture, to slow down for me, it really screws up my timing (especially at intersections). i’m going the speed i’m going so that i avoid crashing into you. when bicyclists run into problems, it’s usually because cars are driving erratically.
2. use turn signals.
that is all i ask.
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
@bmurray. AGAIN, the only reason they are able to pilot this is because the roads are in such bad condition that they are due for a repaving. Stop grumbling and start using them, or when it’s time for the repaving, they will go away instead of becoming permanent.
September 23rd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
@lightonfire: u nailed it.
wish instead of crusty ol spruce and pine, we coulda had a SuperSansom Two-way BikeZone. maybe next year.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:41 pm
@lightonfire, right on 100%. I would like to add that when a car is driving erratically, 9 times out of 10 the driver is on a cell phone or, worse, texting or otherwise fiddling with said device. I can spot ‘em blocks away.