tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post5170122713422834990..comments2008-10-31T10:36:23.066-04:00bike Jaxhttps://profiles.google.com/106821954321021336261noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-32104751155573067952008-10-31T10:36:00.000-04:002008-10-31T10:36:00.000-04:00For a Motorist, risk of a crash increases by 3.7 times (that is 370%) when looking at a billboard or pedestrian. <BR/><BR/>How do the odds of a motorist-bicycle accident reduce? <BR/><BR/>Article here: http://www.howwedrive.com/2008/10/28/debugging/Abhishekhttp://www.shekscrib.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-3307897055133058992008-10-01T13:20:00.000-04:002008-10-01T13:20:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Burro Bagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15961684976343117271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-54550767144488500932008-10-01T13:18:00.000-04:002008-10-01T13:18:00.000-04:00Well I was upset I had obligations the night this happened, but I feel better now that I may be making more progress on the road. <BR/><BR/>Was there time for any dialogue? I sent Cherri from Zombie with pictures of desperation on Main St.: shots of the construction, lack of shoulders and sidewalks, and a posted placard on 8th and Main that reads "No bicycle riding on sidewalk". <BR/><BR/>Can we hold a meeting where the MPO attends and not us?<BR/><BR/>KEEP IT WHEELBurro Bagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15961684976343117271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-26102073438088513392008-09-23T15:26:00.000-04:002008-09-23T15:26:00.000-04:00I work at CEVA. I have never been to that stretch of Centurion. I do go to the ADP building ocassionally for lunch at Mike's Deli. <BR/><BR/>I am the guy slowing down traffic on Deerwood going towards Southside between 5 pm and 5:30 pm.Shekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-24900474423489080342008-09-23T15:17:00.000-04:002008-09-23T15:17:00.000-04:00Sounds like we are in the same area. I work at Taleo at the dead end of centurion pkwy...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-45688634125384749602008-09-23T14:53:00.000-04:002008-09-23T14:53:00.000-04:00@ Dbbled<BR/><BR/>I didnt mean to imply that you were scared. Just that commuting by bike in car infested roads takes confidence and motorists respect that. It makes it safe. <BR/><BR/>You could try to car pool with a folding bike. I know there are some shuttles between the Avenues Mall and the St. Augustine Outlet Malls: http://www.sunshinebus.net/routes/purple.html<BR/><BR/>I have never used it, so I dont know how they are. <BR/><BR/>I work at Deerwood too, at the end of Deerwood past Gate Pkwy.Shekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-44876279372226907892008-09-23T14:40:00.000-04:002008-09-23T14:40:00.000-04:00@shek<BR/><BR/>Thanks. I'm not scared or anything. I've been riding for a while (mostly mountain bikes). It's mostly the hastle more than anything.<BR/><BR/>If you know Jax/St. Augie very well. I am out by WGV and work at Deerwood area. My commute would be 28 miles oneway w/o any driving.<BR/><BR/>I think that is one of the big challenges we face with trying to get people to commute. Jacksonville is sooo spreadout.<BR/><BR/>Seems like we are spending so much to improve the driving infrastructure but not the mass transit, etc...<BR/><BR/>DbbledAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-87184160688319055732008-09-23T14:31:00.000-04:002008-09-23T14:31:00.000-04:00@DbbleD<BR/><BR/>I dont mind helping you out on your route if you live and commute reasonable close to where I live. I am sure Matt(BikeJax Owner) knows people that can mentor you.<BR/><BR/>I have a bad stretch on my route too. Confidence and lane control goes a long way in being safe. <BR/><BR/>There are some videos, particularly this one that helps bringing your confidence up:<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFjCza5e1kwShekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-56165057793355262012008-09-23T14:20:00.000-04:002008-09-23T14:20:00.000-04:00It's so great to hear about others that have the same feelings that I do. I stumbled upon this while doing some fixed gear research.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I have been wanting to commute to work for a while now but I have been held back by the fact that my route will not be bike friendly to say the least. A good portion of the route doesn't have ANY shoulder at all - white line at edge of lane and then dirt. So I'd have to drive part of the way probably, park and ride the rest.<BR/><BR/>I've even tried to map out a JTA route that would help to no avail.<BR/><BR/>I just got back from a business trip from Boston which was really cool - I took the subway all over the place and visited some really cool bike shops..<BR/><BR/>I think more emphasis should definitely be on commuter routes and alternate methods of transport. I've even considered moving due to this challenge....<BR/><BR/>DbbleDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-71010098750852370492008-09-23T12:32:00.000-04:002008-09-23T12:32:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Shekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-37979593246881831132008-09-23T11:54:00.000-04:002008-09-23T11:54:00.000-04:00Thanks Shek. Yeah, it is the 10:00pm broadcast tonight. Here is a link to the sidebar on the homepage from earlier:<BR/><BR/>http://www.isarapix.org/pix34/1222184883.jpg<BR/><BR/>Hopefully, you can copy/paste that into your browser. The blurb is still on News4jax.com on the roght hand side of the frontpage right under the "Featured Video". It is in a box headed "What's On".<BR/><BR/>*note--I looked for an email on your profile, but everything comes up in Thai script which is a problem for me over here. heh!<BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/>--thartleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-66211257007515322422008-09-23T09:50:00.000-04:002008-09-23T09:50:00.000-04:00it is almost 10 am now. I dont see any news on the website. Send me a link and I will watch out for it at tonight's 10 pm news. <BR/>I usually watch the 10 pm news on channel 4 but skipped last night.Shekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-36076603398609299922008-09-23T09:34:00.000-04:002008-09-23T09:34:00.000-04:00I know I am dealing with a big time shift being overseas, but I THINK on channel 4 news tonight there in Jax (the 10:00pm newscast) they are having a segment on cyclists and drivers sharing the road. There was a brief blurb on the News4Jax.com frontpage about the 10:00pm newscast. It mentioned that since gas prices are so high, more people are biking. However, the cyclists are frustrating drivers and cyclists may be taking unnecessary risks due to not knowing adequate safety measures and rules of the road. Can someone maybe tune in to this and post a summary here so I have an idea what the story communicated? Please?<BR/><BR/>-thartleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-7994625442785295592008-09-21T15:16:00.000-04:002008-09-21T15:16:00.000-04:00@ 9A<BR/><BR/>Aah, now that is something to chew on. My friend Tony A. was suggesting something like a BikeJax day. (Certain the owner of this blog would endorse that)<BR/><BR/>IMO, I'd like to see collaboration from other Transy gov't orgs and media outlets as these events require massive effort. The MPO is small (10 FT employees). That's it. The region really needs a Bike Czar to coordinate the overall effort. (only half-kidding)<BR/><BR/>We are shooting to launch this campaign in March, which may or may not give us enough time to sync.<BR/><BR/>As we develop the thxforlooking.com Web site, perhaps we add a forum to build interest in a big event for the fall of 2009. I'll talk with Tony and Joey Marchy.<BR/><BR/>In regards to encouraging bike commuting - more can and should be done. Even if 20% of our region were bike commuters, that still leaves the remaining 80% who needs to pay attention.<BR/><BR/>I'll leave the question of infrastructure and facilities to a more qualified respondent. I'm just a branding guy.<BR/><BR/>Well, off to ride my 18 lb mountain bike around Jax Beach. ;-)<BR/><BR/>Feel free to email me directly: jeff [at] eharrington.com.J. Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02210211509648144942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-4338936871833766182008-09-21T10:05:00.000-04:002008-09-21T10:05:00.000-04:00yes, going car light is very easy. I know some people who walk about 2 miles to Tinseltown on the weekends.<BR/><BR/>Their range and possibilities would increase a lot if there was a decent bicycling infrastructure.<BR/><BR/>I was watching a movie on youtube by a billion bicycles. They spoke about what Copehnagen does to promote bikes in terms of administration, not just building bike lanes. I should write about it. Watch out for a post.Shekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-22965502563791027862008-09-21T08:45:00.000-04:002008-09-21T08:45:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Shekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-23737021315016932142008-09-21T05:03:00.000-04:002008-09-21T05:03:00.000-04:00I think an untapped potential riding community is also those people who perhaps do not want to give up the car for getting to and from work, but could very easily use their bike for most other things. Typically, people grocery shop, bank, see movies, visit friends, and go out to eat in their own general neighborhood or at least relatively close to it. If they parked their cars and used bikes for the majority of their other errands and travel needs, its a big plus and savings for the bigger picture.<BR/><BR/>-thartleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-27006679740996292242008-09-20T23:01:00.000-04:002008-09-20T23:01:00.000-04:00@ Shek<BR/><BR/>I agree that building some really good bike lanes would go a long way to increasing the number of people who bike, but I still don't see it going up to 20%. Maybe I'm just too pessimistic, but I still think the 'little things' will still keep people away. Things like the heat, possibility of rain, wind, etc, having to bring a change of clothes if you're going to work, having to bike <I>all the way</I> back home if you forget something. That said, the reaction I get from people when they find out I commute by bike is usually positive, and I think more than half the time I hear "I wish I could do that too."<BR/><BR/>Thanks for posting the link about Bogota's bike paths.<BR/><BR/>@ thartley and Shek<BR/><BR/>Interesting point about the financial savings. I've never been in a situation where I have had to do city driving regularly, so I have no idea what my gas savings would be, however they're probably fairly substantial. I think pointing out how much money could be saved would go a lot way in convincing people to ride their bikes.9a is my backyardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-66036078922539045002008-09-20T17:39:00.000-04:002008-09-20T17:39:00.000-04:00I monitor my savings in gas here (http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pgt-Higk1B4ybfvbjUDDXMg&amp;output=html&amp;gid=0&amp;single=true)<BR/>and I encourage my friends to have a look. There always seems to be a barrier. <BR/>A friend who owns a big truck had started to bike but stopped due to rains and since then has not gotten back on the saddle. His gas savings are upwards of $200 a month. <BR/><BR/>Bicycle commuting will enormously help less privileged people who spend a considerable part of their income towards a used car, gas and its maintenance problems.Shekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-542091374564011082008-09-20T08:49:00.000-04:002008-09-20T08:49:00.000-04:00There is no single answer, but having adequate bike lanes is a big part of it. If we want more people to get out and ride, they have to have a place to do that. If we want the culture to grow, they need a place to do that. We can't be very visible if there isnt a proper place to be seen. Sprawl, well...yeah, that's a big problem, but not an unbeatable one.<BR/><BR/>I would think if co-workers saw how much their potential savings could be by biking vs driving, it would set a good example for some.<BR/><BR/>-thartleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-66969695124896082362008-09-20T08:31:00.000-04:002008-09-20T08:31:00.000-04:00@ thartley<BR/>I agree that lack of safety is a major concern. Most people I work with are physically fit enough to ride 7 to 10 miles to work. They wont because of the lack of safety and because the culture isint there yet. <BR/>I also dont think bike lanes are the answer to safety. Atleast not in a sprawl-infested city.Shekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-75419531053206476732008-09-20T08:28:00.000-04:002008-09-20T08:28:00.000-04:00@ 9A<BR/><BR/>The 20% target is achievable because most residential areas are in clusters and most business areas are in clusters. Connecting these two clusters by bike highways, mass transit and street cars will automatically make more people leave their cars home. <BR/><BR/>The economic ramifications of high fuel prices and the problem of peak oil without forgetting global warming almost dictate us to use less. Less of everything! I think we should all be downsizing. This makes the 20% number almost necessary.<BR/><BR/>Bicycle infrastructures alone are not sufficient. There should be complimentary street car and mass transit systems. <BR/><BR/>Bogota has done it with Ciclorruta and TransMilenio integrated together (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogot%C3%A1%27s_network_of_bike_paths). We need to take inspiration from the leaders like Bogota and Amsterdam and benchmark them. (<I>disclaimer: by no way am I promoting BRT</I>)<BR/><BR/>Honestly, I barely have an ounce of optimism for Jacksonville's bicycling future. I am neutral for most of the time and pessimistic for the remainder.Shekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-80633371315979091092008-09-20T02:03:00.000-04:002008-09-20T02:03:00.000-04:00I'm going to jump in here and say if the infrastructure was there, I firmly believe 20% is achievable. I believe there are MANY people who would choose to drastically reduce their use of automobiles if they could feel safer on bikes and had a real place on the roads. It simply would open up alternatives to them that right now, they just wont consider because of safety concerns. At least that is what I believe.<BR/><BR/>-thartleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-77376831614933465472008-09-19T21:01:00.000-04:002008-09-19T21:01:00.000-04:00@shek<BR/><BR/>I commute as much as possible by bike (granted, my daily commute is only 4 miles r/t). I only drive if there isn't enough time for me to bike where I need to be.<BR/><BR/>Do you really think we could get 20% of Jacksonville on their bikes on a daily basis? I applaud your optimism, and I would LOVE to see that, but I just don't see it happening here. I think it's more realistic to start with a goal of 2-5%, and once we get there then let's start dreaming big. I'm curious - 1) what makes you think we could get to 20% [because I'd like to feel the same way :)]? and 2) do you think this could/would be achieve solely with infrastructure improvements?9a is my backyardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187938628038410499.post-41677494199495105712008-09-19T19:10:00.000-04:002008-09-19T19:10:00.000-04:00@ 9a is my backyard<BR/><BR/>Do you commute on a bike or use it for recreation and fitness or both? <BR/><BR/>20% is not an unrealistic goal if the right infrastructure is in place. Boulder CO is at 14%. <BR/>We can be very sure that even 2% will not be achievable if we concentrate on projects like the S-line trail. Put that money to develop a trail that goes along a road like southside and see how the percentage increases.Shekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09888384739268821710noreply@blogger.com