Re: Commuter innovation

On 4/2/2024 9:50 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:

Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

 I'm not sure if you're including typical "protected bike lanes" in your
"full on separated" category or not. But the "protected" bike lane I've
linked to before (near our city's downtown) is shunned by almost all
cyclists in part because of its debris. The low concrete separators are
apparently not able to stop gravel, etc. from being flung in from the
road. And those separators do have gaps for driveway access.

 At least the one you linked seems very poorly implemented and next to
industrial/commercial buildings and as such likely to collect debris
quickly, ie it’s something of self fulfilling proficiency.

You seem to be employing the "No true Scotsman" logical fallacy.
I'm giving shortcomings of bike facilities as they actually exist here. Wolfgang has done the same for those actually existing in Germany. I'm not impressed by claims saying "Well, _those_ are badly done," and implications that few have the documented problems.
As I've quoted before, one well known American cycling advocate said "99% of bike lanes give the others a bad name."

As for "really not a thing," You seem to be ignoring the images linked
above, and the images I've recently posted. I have other images as well,
from longer ago, if you need to see them.

 That somewhere on the internet something has happened, doesn’t mean it’s a
routine or common thing ie don’t believe everything on the internet. I’d
also suggest that American with its car centric approach ie big wide
multiple lane roads, and apparently minimal maintenance is again a self
inflicted problem.

Do you have a detailed strategy for America quickly transforming to your version of something better? Some strategy that works in terms of American laws, court decisions, elected officials, political climate, etc?
I ask because (riffing off your "everything on the internet" point) there are countless internet articles claiming America should just become Amsterdam or Copenhagen. That's despite totally different climate, terrain, history, legal structure, politics, etc.
In the real world where I live, bike lanes collect debris. They are not regularly swept. They are often very badly designed, in terms of traffic interactions like right hooks or left crosses or other intersection problems. In many cases, they impose additional hazards or delays, compared to legally riding in the normal traffic lane. And providing them almost never makes a significant difference in bike mode share.
Check out the article "DC Cycling, Bike Lane Usage Decline Dramatically" at https://saveconnecticutave.org/f/dc-cycling-bike-lane-usage-decline-dramatically
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- Frank Krygowski