So the bicycles win? (Houston: purchase, live, legal)

[bluelion_ms3]

he probably meant to say the "bike lane" next to said street.

[LocalPlanner]

There are some instances where what was a pedestrian-only sidewalk has been enlarged to purposely facilitate "multi-user" access, meaning bicycles. See: Eldridge Parkway south of IH 10.

Like it or not, as Houston becomes more dense and populated, facilitating mobility by multiple travel modes in our common public rights of way needs to happen. That means everybody shares the right of way to an extent. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable - including being vulnerable to bikes - and therefore deserve the most protection safety-wise. That means no bikes on the sidewalk unless there is absolutely no reasonable alternative (this is already law I believe).

Drivers will complain about having to slow down for walkers and bikers, but think about it this way: each of these folks might otherwise be in a motor vehicle further congesting the streets (more than they already are) not to mention adding to pavement deterioration. So learning to reasonably accommodate them increases the efficiency of the overall public street system - allowing more people to use it without adding as much to congestion and deterioration. It's part of adapting to life in a denser thriving metropolis

[Willsson]

So the bicycles win?

Prime motivation to learn alternate routes.

[OducksFTW!]

Hmm although I do believe a persons impatience does not facilitate the endangerment of others, if Houston really wanted to protect pedestrians and bikers, then they would build and plan for that. The report also mentions how limited some streets can be. So there is an argument for drivers. Watch the video and you can see the other side of the argument.

Just passing a law doesn't necessarily do anything, there will always be impatient drivers (especially in this city) and they will always do whatever is justified in their minds. Building an infrastructure will be the only true way to protect people.

But this city was built for cars, and now Houstonians realized, "hey walking and biking does have some benefits", now there is the steep learning curve for everyone.

To be honest, if I was driving and there was a biker that decided to slow me down, I dont slow down, I just change lanes, put my foot down and keep flying. which is beyond 3 feet. and the law is reasonable, at the speed and mass that cars have 3 feet is awfully close.

[azinwood]

thread backfire! abort abort!

[Sampaguita]

Originally Posted by kreeyax

Don't know why it's so difficult for drivers to share the road with cyclists. I treat them as any other slow moving vehicle when I'm driving a car. Follow at a safe distance and pass only when it's safe.

Same here. Last thing I want to become involved in is an accident with anyone least of all pedestrians or bicyclists.

[oblivionlml]

Originally Posted by kreeyax

Not sure exactly what you mean by a "trail next to said street". That sounds like a sidewalk, which are for pedestrian use. It's illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk in certain areas of the city.

Don't know why it's so difficult for drivers to share the road with cyclists. I treat them as any other slow moving vehicle when I'm driving a car. Follow at a safe distance and pass only when it's safe.

I'm talking about those people that will ride their bikes on the street right next to a path or trail next to a bayou.

[texas7]

I was on a path / trail and actually told by a runner to get off because cyclist were supposed to use the streets. I could understand if I was on a fast bike meant to keep with the flow of traffic but I was on a leisure cruiser type back. Conflicted. Where am I supposed to ride? I still use paths and sidewalks.

[theSUBlime]

Originally Posted by texas7

I was on a path / trail and actually told by a runner to get off because cyclist were supposed to use the streets. I could understand if I was on a fast bike meant to keep with the flow of traffic but I was on a leisure cruiser type back. Conflicted. Where am I supposed to ride? I still use paths and sidewalks.

It depends. I know some paths have different rules and actually have designated paths for cyclists. I've definitely seen them around Buffalo Bayou Park.

[texas7]

I don't have the metal to be a street rider. There are too many impatient or distracted drivers for me.