Recent Comments
Re: “Rochester bike projects roll on”
Huzzah!
The Union Street bike track has been an absolute dream to ride on, and it's an important part of my commute to different parts of the city from home. I'm glad to see that another one is going in on Elmwood (even if it is short) - like Adrian says, it will be handy navigating that tricky section under the bridge.
I'm hoping that my bicycle can become my main mode of transport once spring arrives, and I'm deeply obliged to the city for every little bit that makes that more doable. I'm glad my tax dollars are going to such useful initiatives.
Re: “Riverway plans head toward the start line”
It's true that Rochester has all sorts of problems to address and challenges to face.
It's true that many of these challenges - poverty, heroin, and education - are more severe than the beautification of the riverfront.
I hope we can work on more than one problem at a time.
Can't we make preschool available for all 3-year-olds, AND create a pleasant pedestrian bridge?
Can't we "reimagine RTS," AND create river access for kayaks?
I want better education, transportation, economic development...and I'd also like nice places to walk, live, and recreate.
Perhaps it *is* putting lipstick on a pig. On the other hand, as Rupaul might tell you, a little lip gloss and a pair of killer heels can make a world of difference.
--- edited by user to remove an expletive
Re: “Rochester bike projects roll on”
We're fortunate in that we don't need to speculate about the potential effects of a track like the one in the picture - the city already has one, along the former Southern Loop.
If cycling-specific infrastructure like this really did generate many, many fatal collisions, we would all know about it.
Nor do we need to speculate as to whether motorists or pedestrians will enter the cycle track. On Union St., we already know: motorists generally don't, and pedestrians often do.
I'll admit that when I'm on my bike I get a little frustrated by walkers in the cycle track. However, the ones I've met generally move to the sidewalk when they see or hear a bike and/or its rider, and everyone proceeds without incident.
We can also consider the alternative - would anyone be safer without cycling paths? The adult biker would need to ride in the road - unpleasant for cars and bikes, and particularly unsafe for bikers - or on the sidewalk - unpleasant/unsafe for both walkers and riders.
Unless, of course, we eliminated all bike-riding. I feel like that might be the subtext here, deliberately or not.
That would be a shame, because:
- bicycling provides exercise, transportation, and recreation for its users
- more people on bikes = fewer people in cars fighting for parking spaces. More parking for motorists!
- more people on bike paths like this one = fewer people on the road/in cars = better traffic for motorists!
Better cycling infrastructure can make life better for everyone, even folks who would never get on a bike themselves.