Dallas's Cycling Movement

[shaun3000]

Scattered around Dallas are blue Bicycle Route signs. The routes are numbered and tend to follow smaller streets. I've scoured Google and can't find any information about these routes. I'd really like a map of the various routes, their history, etc.

Does anyone know anything about them?

[monogodo]

From the Dallas Parks & Recreation Department (http://www.dallascityhall.com/html/hike_and_bike_trails.html) page:


Bike route maps are available at City Hall, 1500 Marilla Street, Room L1BN for $6.50 (tax included) between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Mailed copies cost $7.50 (tax included).

[shaun3000]

Found something, finally.

Go to www.dfwmaps.com (GREAT website) and click the Bike/Pedestrian Trails link. Voila.

[BryanSmyth]

Also, try Dallas City Hall Map (http://maps.dallascityhall.com). You have to click on ‘Additional Map Features’, then add the Bike Routes. :cheers:

[Insidetheloop]

Those routes as a general rule, suck. I don't know anyone who follows them. While the routes are safe for riding I don't think they take the right streets.

[Mballar]

http://bikefriendlyoc.wordpress.com/2009/05/16/with-proof-of-other-us-city-successes-dallas-finally-looks-to-adopt-bike-friendly-infrastructure/
__________________________________________________ _____

With Proof of Other US City Successes, Dallas Finally Looks to Adopt Bike Friendly Infrastructure
May 16, 2009 · No Comments

Prior to the late 1990’s, data regarding bike lanes in North America was scarce, as few US cities had adopted their use. Now, with close to 10 years of data adding up from these early programs, we’re beginning to see the results pour in. The outdated VC cries of, “Bike lanes are dangerous death traps” backed by an 80 year old leader, John Forester, aren’t panning out as all of us who have ridden on the thousands of miles of bike lanes that now exist throughout the country can attest. “Bike Capital of the US”, Portland, Oregon, saw a ridership level of less than 1% modal share increase to 8% in a decade, and have witnessed accident ratios plummet.

Portland’s Bicycle Coordinator, in an interview with BFOC, stated the simple fact, “At this point, Bike Coordinator’s who are still married to VC-only models are preaching dogma”. Dallas was the last major US city hold-out, with its former Bike Coordinator denying to the end the realities surrounding him. “What we noticed was they always seemed to have an excuse for why it was working in other cities but couldn’t work here, like: ‘it’s cooler there’, ‘they have a university downtown’, ‘they have a greater population density’, ‘it’s a medeval city with smaller streets’, or ‘it’s in their culture’ “, stated Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce member, Rob Shearer, “but they had to keep adding layers of exceptions as new cities came online that bucked their philosophy and showed success.” At the lowest point, they were reduced to fictionalizing data collection methods from national studies in order to maintain their stance.

Dallas councilwomen, Angela Hunt and Linda Koop, saw this and were beginning to get fed up with landing at the bottom of nationwide Bike Friendly lists. In early spring, they and city manager Mary Suhm decided to do away with the dogma and a push was made to find a new 21st century bicycle coordinator who would be an advocate for progressive bicycle infrastructure. Boston followed a similar path, and after hiring new coordinator and racing champion Nicole Freedman, have jettisoned their abysmal ranking of “Worst US city for Cycling”, and quickly adopted some of the most progressive programs and infrastructure in only two years.

“We’re witnessing a sea change in city infrastructure development”, notes North Texas CNU President, Monte Anderson. “21st Century city planning is a radical departure from 20th Century planning where completely opposite stances are taken on how to properly build streets. For instance, major US metropolitan areas are removing highways, thinning roads, and creating complete street alternatives to embrace people over cars. This was unthinkable in 1985. Unfortunately, many of our existing Planners were educated in the old way of doing things, and this new version is counter to everything they’ve been taught…but the inevitability of change is unavoidable at this point. A new crop of Planners are coming out of our schools and they’re looking at cities in entirely different ways. Lessening our dependence on oil and a generation seeking greener communities is influencing this change.” . . . . . . . .

[Mballar]

http://bikefriendlyoc.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/wednesday-20-may-2009-ride-of-silence/
______________________________________________

Wednesday May 20, 2009: Ride of Silence
May 15, 2009 · 4 Comments

The Ride of Silence (http://www.rideofsilence.org/) started in 2003 at White Rock Lake in Dallas as 1,000 gathered to remember bicyclist Larry Schwartz, who was killed by a school bus mirror. Since then, the annual, slow-paced, sunset ride has grown to include events in all 50 states and 18 countries worldwide

* To HONOR bicyclists who have been injured or killed
* To RAISE AWARENESS that bicyclists are here
* To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD

Thousands of riders are expected to gather this Wednesday in Dallas at a parking lot on W. Lawther Drive between Branchfield Drive and Fisher Road (view map). The White Rock Station on DART’s blue light rail line is about 2 miles away. For those who want to take the train or drive and then ride together, we’ll depart the DART parking lot at 6:30 p.m. sharp.

Wear a red arm band if you have survived a bike/motor vehicle accident; other riders are invited to wear black arm bands.

[Mballar]

We just found out the news that Dallas has hired a new bike coordinator! His name is Max Kalhammer, and he’s from the East coast. He will be formally introduced to the council next week. According to our contacts, he’s an advocate for progressive bike infrastructure (read: bike lanes). We’ll present more details as they become available.

Source: Bike Friendly Oak Cliff (http://bikefriendlyoc.wordpress.com/)

[Columbus Civil]

progressive bike infrastructure

Does this include removal of all stop signs?

[Mballar]

http://www.dallascityhall.com/pwt/bike_links.html

If you'd like to contact the new Bike Coordinator (Max Kalhammer) his number is (214) 671-8295.

[palchik]

So what has become of PM Summer, the previous bike coordinator? Has he been reassigned, or is he no longer with the City?

[FCDallas96]

So what has become of PM Summer, the previous bike coordinator? Has he been reassigned, or is he no longer with the City?

I'm not sure of his official status, but his blog (http://cycledallas.blogspot.com/) is still active.

[c0ldgirl]

I overlayed 2 sections of the city hall bike route maps onto google earth and uploaded them to the google earth forums under sports and hobbies in case anyone wants them.

[ericthegardener]

I overlayed 2 sections of the city hall bike route maps onto google earth and uploaded them to the google earth forums under sports and hobbies in case anyone wants them.

Do you have a direct link?

Thanks!

[c0ldgirl]

Do you have a direct link?

Thanks!


Yeah, and if you find the maps are hard to read, let me know. There is a way to use a higher resolution jpg instead, but I didn't realize it until I already spent time on the lower resolution ones. I might spend some time uploading the higher rez ones later.


Map section F (http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1228452&Searchpage=1&Main=815765&Words=dallas+bike&Search=true#Post1228452)

Map section E (http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1228451&Searchpage=1&Main=815764&Words=dallas+bike&Search=true#Post1228451)

[darkblood]

It's good to have the bike routes there. Now if we can just get local businesses to install bike racks.

[downtownguy25]

Did dallas do anything for the world naked bike rally a few weeks back? Here is a photo I took of the one in nola.

[shaun3000]

Back my original (and now three-year-old!) question. Does anyone know when the bike routes were first commissioned? The official map (http://www.dallascityhall.com/pwt/bike_links.html) seems rather dated.

[CasperITL]

Back my original (and now three-year-old!) question. Does anyone know when the bike routes were first commissioned? The official map (http://www.dallascityhall.com/pwt/bike_links.html) seems rather dated.


That map should date from 1987. Main reason I can tell is because Hillcrest dead ends at McCallum. Work started shortly after that. When that map was made, the area north of McCallum was known as Renner. Straight up country living out that way.

Dallas is really behind the curve on such things. I think the original routes/signs went up in about 1984.

[palchik]

Im not sure how many people have noticed (yet), but there's quite a vibrant biking culture starting to take root in the neighborhoods surrounding downtown (OC, Uptown, East Dallas, etc). These arent the weekend warrior spandex bikers, who hitch their $2000 bikes to their Hummers and BMWs and bike in circles for sport, but rather the urban hipster, biking instead of driving as a lifestyle choice bikers. A bunch of new shops, and websites have recently popped up to espouse and support this new (to Dallas) biking lifestyle:

http://pedallas.com/
http://bikefriendlyoc.wordpress.com/
http://www.transitbikes.com/
http://ocbicycleco.com/
http://www.fleetwoodskitkat.com/
http://www.dart.org/riding/bike.asp

[tamtagon]

Several posts originating at this point in this thread which discuss changing Oak Cliff neighborhoods were set up as a stand alone thread: Oak Cliff: Changing Neighborhoods (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=16375)

The following posts are found in their entirety in the new "Changing Neighborhoods" thread; comments relevant to the cycling topic are:



08-16-2009, 11:05 PM

but there's quite a vibrant biking culture starting to take root in the neighborhoods surrounding downtown

That is a complete fad and you know it. Those people are so fake. As fake as the BMW driving, spandex people they are trying to mock. The harder they try to be more opposite, the more they become like the people they hate.


08-17-2009, 12:00 AM

That is a complete fad and you know it.

Starts out as a fad, becomes a trend, then it's part of the culture. With thoughtfully designed bike lanes, there's no reason to expect they wont get used. The people palchik and probably others have noticed may or may not use the bike lanes coming to Dallas, but I'm pretty sure the "real" bike riders will.

As an avid bike rider, CasperITL (thanks for all the trail pics, btw), you have an insightful pov regarding the bike lane plans, so what do you think of the plan.


08-17-2009, 12:07 AM
I really dont care who started it...the point is that lots of folks are riding bikes, and I think thats pretty cool. Of course theres an element of "posing" to it, but thats true of all fashions from Elvis Presley to Kanye West. Who isn't trying to create an image for themselves? No one just IS...everyone is inpired by something or someone, and if kids want to be defined by a a $300 bike instead of a $30,000 car, I say more power to them.


08-17-2009, 08:40 AM
Good thing Dallas doesn't have any judgmental folks that cut down people for doing something that isn't the status quo! Nope, only thoughtful, respectful people in Dallas these days.

Who peed on your Cheerios, Casper?

[PuddinHead]

Those of us who live near the lake love those new urban cyclists! Especially those cyclists who think that Mockingbird is their personal race route.

They are dangerous to themselves and other drivers as well. It is really a wonder to me that more of them are not killed because of their actions. They ride abreast of each other instead of single file to allow traffic to pass and not just on Mockingbird, They also like to give those really cute little hand gestures when drivers honk at them.

They are also a nuisance. God forbid you are walking your dog or with your children the jerks aim for them. I know my neighbors from the neighborhood association these people are not from the area. They ride through on the way to the lake. Yes Dallas needs to provide bike trails for recreation they also need to start enforcing traffic laws on the cyclists as well.

[gshelton91]

/\ The City of Dallas current bike plan calls for people on bikes to behave like cars.... to not ride single file on the side of the road but act like a big car in the middle of the lane. It is a tug of war between the act like cars people and the bike lane people each claims their idea is more safe.

I actually live on Belmont and it is like a super highway for bikers from points west --- uptown i assume --- to Whiterock... I love seeing them go by all day... really cool.

[incrediculous]

Dallas needs to provide bike trails for recreation they also need to start enforcing traffic laws on the cyclists as well.

After moving to Chicago I found that when you're on a bike, the whole world stops for you. Everyone actually expects you to roll through an 4-way stop (after clearing it on the move) to preserve your momentum. If you stop, the flow of the intersection is disturbed while people honk and wave you through.

It's just easier for everyone involved to yield to the bike in small ways, and there's a real city-wide acceptance for bicyclers because we take cars off the road. Cops allow so many traffic law concessions to bicyclers. The city (and not just the government, I'm talking about the people, too) respects and treats bicyclers favorably. Bikes own the road in a lot of ways.

In Dallas, if you so much as put your bike rubber on the road, you get honked at with unexplained hostility and you become a target of suspicion for bored cops who single out unusual behavior.

[LH_Newbie]

Those of us who live near the lake love those new urban cyclists! Especially those cyclists who think that Mockingbird is their personal race route.

They are dangerous to themselves and other drivers as well. It is really a wonder to me that more of them are not killed because of their actions. They ride abreast of each other instead of single file to allow traffic to pass and not just on Mockingbird, They also like to give those really cute little hand gestures when drivers honk at them.

They are also a nuisance. God forbid you are walking your dog or with your children the jerks aim for them. I know my neighbors from the neighborhood association these people are not from the area. They ride through on the way to the lake. Yes Dallas needs to provide bike trails for recreation they also need to start enforcing traffic laws on the cyclists as well.

IMO, riding single file is more dangerous than "owning the lane". Cars think that they can squeeze by and many times end up whacking cyclists with their side mirrors or cause them to fall over because they are simply too close. If I'm in the road, I do not hug the side of the lane. I ride clearly in the middle. If you want to pass me, that's fine, that's what the other lane is for. That's what you'd do for any other slower moving traffic.

With that said, I also avoid heavy traffic areas. It is not safe to try to compete with cars in heavy traffic. While a cyclist has the same legal right to be on the road - I'd rather be alive and safe than dead and right.

Shit, it's not safe to drive a car in some areas, let alone a bike. :)

[CasperITL]

I know my neighbors from the neighborhood association these people are not from the area. They ride through on the way to the lake.

Sheffie Kadane, is that you? He takes the same approach. Ranting about how these SOB's on two wheels don't even live in his little neighborhood and should be punished! They use his roads! His stop lights! Get in his way! How dare they ride in a city park! He gets everyone all riled up, then oddball idiots throw in a couple remarks about how cyclists don't pay taxes, are communist hippies and eat the brains of small children. All a load of crap.

I have never figured out where drivers are headed in such a rush that they feel the need to flip off and cuss out cyclists down near the lake. National emergency? Godzilla attack? That lunch from Taco Cabana making a radical move for the bunghole?

Channel Cinco ran a story last week about bad cyclists at White Rock. 100 of the 400 traffic tickets written at the lake in the last 3 months were written to cyclists. 100! Can you believe that! Something must be done! The story ignored the 300 tickets written to people driving vehicles. Where is the outrage there.

So far this year, I have ridden 8500 miles on rides originating from my front door in 75225. Not a week goes by when someone does not try some retarded a-hole maneuver, on purpose, to try to mess with me. Oddly, it's not Bubba's in pickups but women in luxury cars or smallish men. People are just rude and crude here in Dallas. The only thing I can think of to tell the 40-50ish year old women who act so crappy is to ask them "What would your mother think if she saw you do that". Most actually pause when I say that. Funny.

[tamtagon]

^Do you think the new trails to WRL will make the biker-driver situation less contentious?

[CasperITL]

^Do you think the new trails to WRL will make the biker-driver situation less contentious?

No. Why? Because cyclists are not a problem at the lake. It is a make believe issue trumped up by a few old grouches. The same people that oppose cycling at the lake also oppose lighting for the paths, opposed the dog park, dog park bridge, running races on Sunday morning. Same. People. I have attended a number of these meetings at the Bath House and the same tired people oppose everything. They feel that because they live near(not on) the lake, that they are entitled to more say in what happens in a public park than everyone else. They are anti-human, not anti-cyclist,runner, bbq-er. They just hate people. They are also well connected and can blow up issues out of proportion.

Speed limit at the lake on the west side is 25mph, east side is 20mph. "Cyclists" do not use the bike path except near the Arboretum where there is no other option. On the road, riding a bike, most average cyclists ride 16-18mph. Many ride 20+ mph. Far too fast for a bike path with children and dogs. Problems arise when a hot head driver wants to drive on Lawther at 35-40mph and blames all the road furniture(the cyclists) in his/her way. Lawther is not a shortcut to anywhere. I have never understood where these people are going.

[monogodo]

Those of us who live near the lake love those new urban cyclists! Especially those cyclists who think that Mockingbird is their personal race route.

They are dangerous to themselves and other drivers as well. It is really a wonder to me that more of them are not killed because of their actions. They ride abreast of each other instead of single file to allow traffic to pass and not just on Mockingbird, They also like to give those really cute little hand gestures when drivers honk at them.

They are also a nuisance. God forbid you are walking your dog or with your children the jerks aim for them. I know my neighbors from the neighborhood association these people are not from the area. They ride through on the way to the lake. Yes Dallas needs to provide bike trails for recreation they also need to start enforcing traffic laws on the cyclists as well.
Legally cyclists can ride two abreast.
Why shouldn't they give a hand gesture to a car driver who honks at them? There's no need to honk at a cyclist. Simply give the rider the courtesy of a few feet between your mirror and their head when you pass them.

[palchik]

They are also a nuisance. God forbid you are walking your dog or with your children the jerks aim for them. I

Really???? How many dog and kids have been killed by bikes, and how many by cars and trucks? In fact, every bike-friendly town that I've ever been to, has also been extremely kid and dog friendly. In Dallas, you rarely see kids out and about exploring the city on their own. Instead you see a bunch of caged mall rats who are totally dependent on mommie and her SUV for every aspect of life. Hardly a way to build character if you ask me.

[PuddinHead]

Sheffie Kadane, is that you? He takes the same approach. Ranting about how these SOB's on two wheels don't even live in his little neighborhood and should be punished! They use his roads! His stop lights! Get in his way! How dare they ride in a city park! He gets everyone all riled up, then oddball idiots throw in a couple remarks about how cyclists don't pay taxes, are communist hippies and eat the brains of small children. All a load of crap.

I have never figured out where drivers are headed in such a rush that they feel the need to flip off and cuss out cyclists down near the lake. National emergency? Godzilla attack? That lunch from Taco Cabana making a radical move for the bunghole?

Channel Cinco ran a story last week about bad cyclists at White Rock. 100 of the 400 traffic tickets written at the lake in the last 3 months were written to cyclists. 100! Can you believe that! Something must be done! The story ignored the 300 tickets written to people driving vehicles. Where is the outrage there.

So far this year, I have ridden 8500 miles on rides originating from my front door in 75225. Not a week goes by when someone does not try some retarded a-hole maneuver, on purpose, to try to mess with me. Oddly, it's not Bubba's in pickups but women in luxury cars or smallish men. People are just rude and crude here in Dallas. The only thing I can think of to tell the 40-50ish year old women who act so crappy is to ask them "What would your mother think if she saw you do that". Most actually pause when I say that. Funny.

37 miles a day, wow that is amazing I don’t even put that many miles on my car each day.

The belligerence exhibited by the biking crowd illustrates the problem for everyone. We share the road but physics and reason apply more than traffic laws to contributing to road safety between vehicles and bicycles. We are bigger and faster than you are on the bike. Use common sense and yield. Show the same courtesy to drivers that they expect drivers to show you.





Legally cyclists can ride two abreast.
Why shouldn't they give a hand gesture to a car driver who honks at them? There's no need to honk at a cyclist. Simply give the rider the courtesy of a few feet between your mirror and their head when you pass them.

No need to honk at a cyclist who is not paying attention to the conditions behind him? What do you suggest we do hit em with a stick?

[CasperITL]

We share the road but physics and reason apply more than traffic laws to contributing to road safety between vehicles and bicycles. We are bigger and faster than you are on the bike. Use common sense and yield. Show the same courtesy to drivers that they expect drivers to show you.



Then why is it that all car versus bike accidents in the police "beats" in/around/near WRL are all the fault of the car driver? 100% of the accidents. The anti-cycling crowd cannot bring up a single incident where a cyclist hit a vehicle and it was the cyclist's fault in/around/near WRL. Seems like car drivers are the problem, not the cyclists. Drivers seem to have declared open season on cyclists, runners, dogs, wildlife at the lake. Wholesale killing spree.

In regards to "We are bigger and faster than you are on the bike". Like I said in an earlier post, the Bubbas do not mess with me. It's women and smallish/frail men. There is a reason for this.

[PuddinHead]

Then why is it that all car versus bike accidents in the police "beats" in/around/near WRL are all the fault of the car driver? 100% of the accidents. The anti-cycling crowd cannot bring up a single incident where a cyclist hit a vehicle and it was the cyclist's fault in/around/near WRL. Seems like car drivers are the problem, not the cyclists. Drivers seem to have declared open season on cyclists, runners, dogs, wildlife at the lake. Wholesale killing spree.

In regards to "We are bigger and faster than you are on the bike". Like I said in an earlier post, the Bubbas do not mess with me. It's women and smallish/frail men. There is a reason for this.


When I was learning to ride a bike as a kid there was one rule my parents repeated over and over to me...

Watch out for cars!

I guess my folks were unique since no one in this cycling crowd seems to have been given the same lesson.

[LH_Newbie]

When I was learning to ride a bike as a kid there was one rule my parents repeated over and over to me...

Watch out for cars!

I guess my folks were unique since no one in this cycling crowd seems to have been given the same lesson.
Watch out for cars doesn't mean stay off the roads. It means be aware of cars - make sure they see you. You know how one does this? I'll give you a hint - it doesn't include riding on the very edge of the road, trying to make room for a car to buzz by you.



The belligerence exhibited by the biking crowd illustrates the problem for everyone. We share the road but physics and reason apply more than traffic laws to contributing to road safety between vehicles and bicycles. We are bigger and faster than you are on the bike. Use common sense and yield. Show the same courtesy to drivers that they expect drivers to show you.
I didn't see belligerence in Caspers response. It used examples. Maybe the lack or respect or the ignorance of common decency is what's missing from drivers of vehicles?

Applying the bigger is better theory, should a semi-truck be able to drive however they want on a road simply because they are bigger? Physics and reason apply more than traffic laws to contribute to road safety between cars and semis. Do you have any idea how many drivers I've seen on the expressways playing chicken with semis because they're all upset that the semi did something that upset them? IMO, there's a much bigger issue with regular vehicles and the hot heads that drive them.

My wife laughs at my solution. I think every driver and cyclist should be given a paintball gun with one ball per week. When someone does something really stupid and dangerous, anyone can shoot them. If a cop sees a car with multiple shots, they can fine them. :) Hehe. Yeah, it'll never work, but when you get into a situation when someone is being an idiot, thinking of that solution sure puts a smile on my face.

Brian

[downtownguy25]

What Would Get Americans Biking to Work?
Decent parking.
By Tom Vanderbilt

http://www.slate.com/id/2225511/

[mjblazin]

In Dallas, lack of showers in close proximity are another detriment.

Buried in that story is an interesting study of how the availability of parking transforms people in NYC into car commuters. NYC - the Vatican of urban don't need a car evangelists: Is the current well above average transit use a preference or because many people don't have a choice?

I found it interesting because, while I live above average use of transit after the personal pluses and minuses, I recognize that absent other factors that must be very strong (extreme frugality in minimizing auto cost, horrible congestion, close to work), the average American will drive to work. The average American loves to drive. It's not a conspiracy by GM or other industrial schemers.

[Mballar]

. . . . I recognize that absent other factors that must be very strong (extreme frugality in minimizing auto cost, horrible congestion, close to work), the average American will drive to work. The average American loves to drive. It's not a conspiracy by GM or other industrial schemers.
The average American may like to drive recreationally. I just don't think the average American likes to drive to work. If given the choice of two comparable options, 1) Driving or 2) Riding, I have to think that most Americans would prefer to ride to work.

[mjblazin]

The cited study indicated that NYC commuters, once given a personal secure parking spot at home, would change existing and probably effective commuting habits and commence driving.

Given that the Dallas urban living situation almost always offers some kind of relatively secure, allocated parking at home, what success will we have in reducing auto commuting even by downtown residents?

[monogodo]

No need to honk at a cyclist who is not paying attention to the conditions behind him? What do you suggest we do hit em with a stick?
How do you know the cyclist isn't paying attention to the conditions behind them? Is it because they're not looking at you? But then, how could they pay attention to the conditions in front of them if they're looking behind them? Most cyclists I know are very aware of vehicles approaching from behind. We can hear your engine rev as you approach us. The only reason most will "jump" when they hear the car horn is because they're not expecting a d-bag to be driving the car and honk the horn, they're giving you the benefit of the doubt that you'll be a decent person and not honk your horn unnecessarily. Do you honk your horn as you pass another car or motorcycle? No? Why not? How do you know they're not paying attention to what's behind them?

[palchik]

http://www.advocatemag.com/lakewood/blog/Video_Monday_Night_Mash_bike_ride_.html?c=y

[Columbus Civil]

Y'all should check out the kickass bike lift I installed in my garage last weekend.

[RobertB]

I just spent $50 bucks at Richardson Bike Mart (White Rock location) to replace the pedal-hub-thingie-whatever on the bike I bought at Salvation Army... for $50 bucks. But it's better than getting a new one at the moment. Toys R Us has surprisingly cheap bikes -- I could have probably gotten one for under $150, but I'll just ride the Salvation Army bike until the back wheel axle finally breaks (which the folks at Richardson Bike Mart say will happen, eventually).

Buying a bike at Richardson Bike Mart itself -- probably out of the question. I saw a kid's bike on display for $850. I can go to Kaufman County and buy a *car* for that price! (or could, before they all got a shot of sodium silicate (http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/car-dealers/how-to-use-sodium-silicate-to-disable-engines/).)

[Mballar]

I just spent $50 bucks at Richardson Bike Mart (White Rock location) to replace the pedal-hub-thingie-whatever on the bike I bought at Salvation Army... for $50 bucks. . . .
I didn't even know Salvation Army sold bikes. Was there a descent selection to choose from?

[PuddinHead]

Watch out for cars doesn't mean stay off the roads. It means be aware of cars - make sure they see you. You know how one does this? I'll give you a hint - it doesn't include riding on the very edge of the road, trying to make room for a car to buzz by you.

It means walking your bike across NW Hwy at Church and Easton using the cross walk instead of trying to ride in front of traffic during rush hour letting the cars at the stop light go past you so you don't impede traffic. Then you won't have to ride on the edge of the road while two lanes of traffic try to get past you. Let the cars go first. It only makes sense.You remember the same rules your parents taught you when you first started riding your bike? Watch out for the cars they go first. Well they still apply.



Applying the bigger is better theory, should a semi-truck be able to drive however they want on a road simply because they are bigger? Physics and reason apply more than traffic laws to contribute to road safety between cars and semis. Do you have any idea how many drivers I've seen on the expressways playing chicken with semis because they're all upset that the semi did something that upset them? IMO, there's a much bigger issue with regular vehicles and the hot heads that drive them.Brian

If you are not smart enough to give the bigger vehicle leeway then well it could be a very short life for you.

[tamtagon]

Several posts discussing the changes happening in Oak Cliff neighborhoods were extracted from this thread and set up as a stand alone thread: Oak Cliff: Changing Neighborhoods (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=16375)

[monogodo]

It means walking your bike across NW Hwy at Church and Easton using the cross walk instead of trying to ride in front of traffic during rush hour letting the cars at the stop light go past you so you don't impede traffic. Then you won't have to ride on the edge of the road while two lanes of traffic try to get past you. Let the cars go first. It only makes sense.You remember the same rules your parents taught you when you first started riding your bike? Watch out for the cars they go first. Well they still apply.



If you are not smart enough to give the bigger vehicle leeway then well it could be a very short life for you.
I don't know where you went through Driver's Ed, but they apparently taught you nothing with regards to who has the right of way and when they have it. The size of the vehicle in question has no bearing whatsoever on right of way.

[MarkL2023]

^^ I think his/her concern is more about safety and less about the legal principle

[PuddinHead]

^^ I think his/her concern is more about safety and less about the legal principle

Thank you!

[mjblazin]

I don't know where you went through Driver's Ed, but they apparently taught you nothing with regards to who has the right of way and when they have it. The size of the vehicle in question has no bearing whatsoever on right of way.

In the Navy, we called it the Law of Gross Tonnage: little ships that don't still clear of big ships, regardless of the Rules of the Road, get hurt.

[monogodo]

Thank you!
So you're concerned for the safety of the cyclist? If that were really true, you'd drive cautiously around them, wouldn't honk your horn unnecessarily, and would give them plenty of room when passing them. You'd even go so far as to patiently wait to pass them when it's safe to do so, no matter how slow they're riding, and you'd do so without complaint.

Or are you concerned that you'll damage your car when you finally hit one of us?