How is the box a joke, and how do these measures decrease the safety of
"traffic challenged cyclists"? What is a traffic challenged cyclist? A
cyclist with little experience riding on busy streets? or any cyclist who
might get hit from behind by a distracted driver?
No amount of safety measures can possibly protect us from every possible
accident, but additional visibility in the form of bright, heat adhered,
mineral mixed plastic lane markers will possibly lead to a decrease in
accidents. If we do nothing, accidents will continue to happen. If we do
something, there will still be accidents but certain types are likely to be
decreased. I'm willing and happy to let things be tried, even if they cost
money and use resources. Any effort in this direction makes cycling on the
street safer, and more visible. The safer it is the more likely someone is
to try cycling, especially if they feel traffic challenged.
And if cycling safety is a political issue, isn't that a good thing?
On Sun, Mar 16, 2008 at 2:15 PM, Dan H wrote:
> Jerry,
> That's true right up until Murphy's law kicks in. I was rear ended while
> stopped at a light. No "box" would have saved me from the OHSU doctor that
> was distracted by whatever.
> The "box" is a joke and a waste of resources that gives traffic challenged
> cyclists a false sense of security that can lead to unsafe traffic cycling
> practices. When we depend on traffic laws to protect us, the skill level
> goes down. If I had run that light, (there was no possible chance of cross
> traffic except for maybe a patron leaving the bar at Friar Tucks) I would
> have been spared injury.
> Dan
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jerald M Powell"
> To: "Steve and Alli" ; "Doug Sears"
>
> Cc: "OBRA list list"
> Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 12:51 PM
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Portland's new bike box/green bike lane
>
>
> > Hey folks... Having been riding bicycles in traffic for nearly fifty
> > years, I can tell you that the safest place (when stopped at a traffic
> > control device with cars and trucks also stopped there) is to be in
> > front of the nearest car or truck... never beside it. Forrester
> > recognized that reality with the "take the lane" strategy as well. If
> > you're right in front of even the least attentive driver, he/she can't
> > claim that you couldn't be seen... nor can you be surprised by that
> > driver suddenly cutting you off, or worse.
> >
> > Jerry
> >
> > On Mar 16, 2008, at 9:37 AM, Steve and Alli wrote:
> >
> >> It's really to get cyclist's seen and out in front of stopped cars,
> >> to help
> >> prevent the "right hook" crash which is one of the most prevalent
> >> urban
> >> car-bike conflicts. It's typically only used with stoplight-
> >> controlled
> >> intersections. Check out this video if you're unfamiliar with their
> >> use:
> >> http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/how-to-use-a-bike-box/
> >>
> >> Steve Jorgensen
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Doug Sears"
> >> To: "OBRA list list"
> >> Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 9:19 AM
> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Portland's new bike box/green bike lane
> >>
> >>
> >>> Thanks for the pictures. After viewing them, I don't understand the
> >>> use of
> >>> the bike box. If you're over on the right in the bike lane, why
> >>> (and how)
> >>> would you move 6 feet or so to the left to be in the box while
> >>> stopped,
> >>> when you just have to move back to the right into the lane as soon
> >>> as the
> >>> light changes?
> >>>
> >>> --Doug Sears
> >>>
> >>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>> From: "Jonathan Maus"
> >>> To: "OBRA list list"
> >>> Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 7:17 PM
> >>> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Portland's new bike box/green bike lane
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Today, the city of Portland made good on a promise to try and make
> >>> our
> >>> roads safer after the two tragedies last October.
> >>>
> >>> here are some of the first photos of the new bike box and colored
> >>> lane. This one is at SE Hawthorne and 7th and is the first of 14
> >>> similar intersection treatments.
> >>>
> >>> http://tinyurl.com/2pfeup
> >>>
> >>> (note: the actual bike box has not been filled in with green paint
> >>> yet...that is expected to be finished on monday).
> >>>
> >>> cheers,
> >>> --Jonathan Maus
> >>>
> >
> >
> > Jerry Powell
> > USAC Level 1 Coach
> > 1926 SW Madison St
> > Portland, OR 97205
> >
> > 503 222 7173
> > 503 799 7823 (cellular)
> >
> > jpowell@spiritone.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > obra@list.obra.org
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>
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