Re: Commuter innovation

On 3/28/2024 11:23 AM, Frank Krygowski wrote:

On 3/28/2024 7:31 AM, Zen Cycle wrote:

On 3/27/2024 11:26 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:

On 3/27/2024 2:33 PM, Zen Cycle wrote:

On 3/27/2024 11:16 AM, Frank Krygowski wrote:

On 3/27/2024 8:47 AM, AMuzi wrote:

https://nypost.com/2024/03/27/us-news/atlanta-man-alex-benigno-uses-bike-with-giant-magnet-to-remove-410-pounds-of-screws-nails-sharp-metal-off-streets/

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That illustrates that street sweeping isn't the cure that some people claim.
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And related, I wonder what percentage of his bike mileage is within bike lanes?
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As I've said, IME bike lanes retain debris far, far longer than normal traffic lanes.
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I don't know that I've ever heard anyone claim street sweeping is a cure for anything. Certainly diligent and frequent use is quite helpful, but "cure"?

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As I recall, Roger was claiming that London had frequent sweeping of bike lanes that prevented accumulation of debris. He seemed surprised that our bike lanes have debris, and that our roads are swept just twice per year.
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I remember finding a really nice almost new 8" Vice-Grip brand locking pliers on the side of the road once (I still have it). A former teammate of mine once rode home with a waffle iron balanced on his handlebar that he found on the side of the road. He claimed it worked.
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I don't think a street sweeper would have been very effective on either of those.

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I've got a pretty large collection of tools I've found while riding. The best was a complete set of sockets with ratchet handle and case, sprinkled all over the road. My worst miss was an $80 Leatherman that I rode past but my touring buddy behind me nabbed.
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I don't expect street sweeping to suck those tools up. They occur rarely enough that they're not a problem. Gravel, broken glass and other odd trash is more of a problem.
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BTW, back when we were discussing this I took a couple photos of the newest bike lanes in our area. I mentioned that after just a week, they were filled with debris. They still are. Here are links to a couple shots:
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https://flic.kr/p/2pFTMe3
https://flic.kr/p/2pFSwnV
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Good lord....you call _that_ "filled with debris"?

 Well, not "filled." But compared to the traffic lane beside it?
 And I'll emphasize again, these lanes are now only about three months old. The amount of gravel, mud and debris will steadily increase for months. Once broken glass is part of the mix it will be very difficult to spot.

how many times had the street sweeper gone over that section in those three months?
In my area they streets are swept once a year (really, not kidding), usually sometime in mid spring after the threat of any more snow has become negligible, mostly to remove sand that has accumulated from the snow storms.
In those sessions they go all the way to the curb including any bike lanes.
Are you aware of any cases where a street sweeper only sweeps the traffic lane and _not_ a bike lane? I've never seen that.
Your picture is quite typical of what bike lanes around here look like _most_ of the time.

 I suppose some people prefer riding over such debris instead of sharing smooth pavement with motorists. I prefer the clean pavement. How about you?
 

It depends. I wouldn't have any problem riding through something like what appeared in your picture regardless of the traffic.
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