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jerry 01/03/2010 8:51:00 PM
Everybody has made some good points. I am a cyclist and I actually agree with registration of bikes and insurance. Not only would the coverage be nice in the event of an accident but maybe the registration would make it easier to find stolen bikes and fund bike routes.
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Al�Al�Apurim 10/31/2009 12:03:00 PM
. . . It was not until October 31 that I discovered this thread. Here I've have seen a number of good posts, notably (31) Robert Boyd, some by "Ms Commish" and "Marnier" and friends Matt Wurth and others. Personally, I was disappointed no one referred the author to me, but I'll make amends.
. . . A Houston resident since 1969 (age 22), former marathon runner (56km in 4:06; 42 in 2:50, 24 in 1:33, all as a teen-ager), in the 1970s I took up bike racing, got second in the state championships time trial and beat that guy at the national championships. Unsatisfied, I helped found a non-profit organization "Safety, Education, Health, Sports, and Public Service in Transportation by Human-Powered Vehicles" named ALPHA ACES VELO, INC. It was an umbrella-organization, whose meetings were attended by a small core of dedicated members. I was just putting up notices for its founding in late 1975, when I was hit head-on by a drunk driver who swerved to my side of the street as he sped, passing a car approaching me. At combined speeds of 100kph (28 meters per second) my head broke his windshield, I was thrown off the top of his car, and hit the street as the crumpled bicycle landed a block behind me. This was just two weeks after I bought my first hard-shell cycling helmet. Two weeks later, out of the hospital with a full leg cast and a wrist cast, I remained unintimidated. First the Houston Chronicle, and then the Houston Post, did half-page articles about my determination and AAV, INC.
. . . From 1995 to 2005, I had a many-page web site with many cycling resources and links, pictures of streets with lane-divider cracks (one of the top dangers facing cyclists, just like angled railroad tracks in streets), bike lanes full of trash and mud puddles, and extensive illustrated pages on bicycle safety. Mysteriously, in 2005 Yahoo (that had bought out and ruined host GeoCities) removed my paid-for web site without explanation.
. . . Circumstances in my life soon after caused me to become poor and homeless, the membership dwindled without my money and active support, and now exists in name only; I haven't yet restored the web site. Even before, from 1976 onward, I have occasionally gone riding (besides my cross-town commutes to meetings, etc.) to complete a quest to bicycle the length of every public street and road in Harris County (probably near 45,000 km). Part-time, I've done every single street inside the loop except part of n.e. Houston, and done every street north of the county-line (S. Belt) from the Gulf Fwy. to S.W. Fwy., and all between Braeswood and Westheimer out through Hwy 6. � about 2/3 of the streets in Houston, and maybe half of those in Harris County (the areas outlined are solid, ALL streets; outside, I've done most arterials out through adjoining counties. I even bicycled through the now-closed ship channel tunnel to Baytown. The point is, if there is an experienced authority on cycling conditions on Houston streets, I've "been there, done that."
. . . In the last decade, additional accidents (none at which I was at fault) included being hit from behind (90kph) by two teens exceeding the speed limit on the South Belt access road east of Gessner (they had a straight-line view of half a mile ahead), and a UofH professor who broadsided me (70kph) on Calhoun (back when it came off the freeway near Elgin) because the light turned green as he was reaching an intersection where his view of me turning left across the path was blocked by cars that were waiting in the inner lanes. I had begun the turn just as the light turned yellow, it was raining, so rather than brake and risk skidding I turned, as I entered the outside lane he hit me, breaking a rib. A few weeks later, I went back on a dry day with a stopwatch and determined that if the rider (or even driver of a car) reached the end of the turning lane as the light turned yellow, there was NOT enough time to turn left across a median and three lanes of traffic before the light turned green for the oncoming traffic. In both accidents they claimed to be uninsured; I couldn't get an attorney. It is hard to get an attorney, even if you have proof you're not at fault, if they can't get at least $5,000 out of it!
. . . I ride at all hours on any street not minimum-speed-restricted (and have even passed cars on freeways, only "trespassing" when they're in grid-lock past the next exit), and at night I use light white or yellow shirt, two bright-red blinkers on each ankle (total at least four) and a hand-held bright flashlight (light body-weight, I rarely need to use both brakes to stop quickly). At intersections where I stop, I occupy the LEFT side of the right lane ... why? So the driver behind me knows I'm continuing straight ahead, and has room to turn on my right. Otherwise, if I'm at the corner curb, they'll squeeze up next to me on my left, forget I'm there ("blind spot"), and on the green light turn right, wrapping me around the stop sign!
. . . We need warning signs at Metro-Rail's diagonal street crossings, not to warn cyclists that the grooves can catch their wheels, but to warn non-cycling motorists following behind the cyclist that the rider has to execute a zig-zag in the lane in front of him in order to cross the rail-grooves perpendicularly! The "zig" makes the motorist think the cyclist is turning out of the lane to get out of the way ... so he accelerates ... as the cyclist "zags" back in front of him while crossing the tracks. I've been nearly hit several times on roads where rails cross at less than a 45-degree angle. I have designed a traffic warning sign that illustrates this well.
. . . You may reply to me directly about funding/reviving AAV, INC., or my comments, at apurim-at-gmail.com
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diana 10/24/2009 1:29:00 AM
Karina:
You sound like you are a rather privileged person. Not everyone can afford a car or even pubic transportation. If you came to my neighborhood in SW Houston (Gulfton area) you would see that 99% of bicyclist are not riding because it is a hobby. They are riding because it is the cheapest form of transportation to get to their job at the car wash where they make minimum wage washing "your" car. Suggesting that bicyclists take public transportation instead, makes me wonder how often you take Metro or ride your bike out on the streets. Metro is rather shitty and I can often get places faster on my bike than by bus. I pick up my kid from day care, buy groceries ,and get to work all on my bike, I made the choice to live close to my work and other places so that it could be easier for me to get around on my bike. Others make the choice to live in the suburbs and make the long commute to work etc.
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Halston 10/22/2009 6:05:00 AM
I agree with the observation above that more bikers are needed to increase "expected visibility". And I agree with your later post that the current norm of Houston business clothing retards people from biking to work, even if they live close by. With reasonable clothing we could have pedestrians and bikers and maybe fewer cars. And healthier workers. What's not to like about that?
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Peter Wang 10/18/2009 3:34:00 AM
In my extensive experience, I find that motorists experience fear because bikes sometimes are not visible and predictable, and they then express that feeling of fear as anger. Especially men. With most men, the only emotion they have is angry.
Perhaps Cisco's only mistake was that he wasn't far ENOUGH into the lane, where he would have been completely and totally visible (if he'd had enough lights & reflectors).
If you're off to the side, motorists can indeed lose you. The human field of active, sharp vision is surprisingly narrow. Peripheral vision isn't good enough for tracking a small vehicle like a bike.
I ride pretty much near the center of the lane, and I only get honked at about once a year. Lights blazing, tons of reflective stuff. I get honked at less than when I'm driving in my car.
Peter Wang
League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor
"The reason people are angry at bikers is the same reason they are angry at slow drivers. They get in the way and they are dangerous. Accidents are not caused by high speed, they are caused by differences in speed. In the end the only law that matters is the law of physics. The biker will always lose that law."
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michael 10/17/2009 6:11:00 AM
The reason people are angry at bikers is the same reason they are angry at slow drivers. They get in the way and they are dangerous. Accidents are not caused by high speed, they are caused by differences in speed. In the end the only law that matters is the law of physics. The biker will always lose that law.
Have you ever been on Old Katy road? It's barely fit for two cars. That truck driver never saw Cisco.
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Peter Wang 10/16/2009 5:53:00 PM
MMACH5, even inexperienced cyclists have a right to feel safe on the road. They are not as fortunate to have your wealth and miles of experience. If we don't "grow" more experienced cyclists from newbies, then the laws may some day get changed so that we are outlawed from the roads (again). We need more cyclists of all ability levels on the road, feelin' good.
Peter
League Cycling Instructor
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Robert Boyd 10/12/2009 5:48:00 PM
Thanks for this great article. Even with lights and reflectors, cyclists in Houston are often invisible to drivers because drivers are not looking for cyclists. (Pedestrians, stopped emergency vehicles, and road construction workers are similarly "invisible.") This is called "inattentional blindness." In effect, we don't see what we aren't expecting to see.
How can we fix this problem with drivers? Speaking as both a driver and a cyclist, the solution is simple and yet very difficult. We need more cyclists. More cyclists on the road trains drivers to pay attention to cyclists. Obviously this does nothing to solve the problem of aggressive asshole drivers, but I'm willing to bet that the vast majority of accidents involving bicycles are caused by a driver who just didn't see the cyclist--in part because he wasn't expecting to see a cyclist.
As for cyclists--work to be visible (lights, reflective tape, bright clothes, etc.). But at the same time, you need to assume that a driver can't see you--even if you are directly in his field of vision. Ride defensively.
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MMACH 5 10/12/2009 5:09:00 PM
I have a 50-mile, round-trip bicycle commute.
If the goal of that story was to scare people away from riding their bikes, then I have to say they knocked out of the park.
Just another crap piece by a shock-jock journalist.
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Peter Wang 10/11/2009 3:52:00 AM
The book to read is Effective Cycling by John Forester. That's the bible for modern bicycle safety education programs. Following the techniques in this book will cut your crash risk dramatically, like by 90%. All of the BikeHouston training is based on this work.
The safest place for a bike to be is IN the traffic lane, in the right-most lane serving the cyclists destination.
It's not the position that will make the motorist the happiest, but it is the safest for the cyclist, and Texas law, TTC Chapter 551, says that we don't have to share lanes narrower than 14 feet (by the way you can't find a lane that wide in all of Houston).
Peter Wang
League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor
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gianfranco giannini 10/10/2009 7:15:00 AM
Great article John!
I've encountered Mayor White biking at Memorial Park. My son and I were awestruck, and he must have noticed because he waved and smiled. But what came next was emblematic of the problem: he loaded his bike onto his car rack and drove off. This speaks volumes to what biking means in Houston: drive to ride, or else face the dangers of road and driver.
I hope that White, either as Mayor or in his future role, will take this paradox to heart and affect some positive change. The anti-liability legislation, if CenterPoint goes along, is a good first step. Let's lobby for that!
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jay 10/10/2009 4:44:00 AM
Rest in peace Cisco.. such a shame he had to die so young doing what he loved. It sounds like he had a lot of heart. We have ghost bikes here in LA too. Cyclists are terribly vulnerable out on the road. The push to make our cities friendlier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists is long overdue.
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marmer 10/10/2009 12:39:00 AM
Ms. Commish from Houston writes:
"Why is the light issue being brought up again? Cisco had a light, and it was pointed out by one poster that it was in the evidence gathered at the scene. He was killed with having a light, not without having a light. Cisco acted upon the suggestion of the police officer and did protect himself."
When I wrote my original post I didn't know all the details that Matt Wurth posted later. I only knew what was in the original article. And then I apologized for implying that Cisco Rios was to blame. Clearly having front and rear lights didn't save him.
I'll say it one more time, and then I am done with this. I brought up the light issue the first time, the second time, and now the last time for this reason. To plead with cyclists who are reading this to use lights when they ride at night, because I can't see them if they don't. Not to make a statement about bike paths, about right to use the roads, about taxes and insurance, about stop signs, or about any of that stuff. And it has nothing to do with being young and careless, as another poster implied. Believe me, I was riding for transportation way before I was old enough to drive, because that's what kids did back in the day. And you'd better believe my parents made sure I had lights.
Happy riding, everyone.
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S. Greene 10/09/2009 10:19:00 PM
Thanks for shining light on the Houston bike scene.
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Pam 10/09/2009 10:10:00 PM
I am not debating the immense tragedy of people in bicycle/car accidents. Because it is tragic - losing a loved one in a sudden and violent way is tragic.
Marmer, I totally understand your point that having to be told that you need to put lights on your bike at dark is not going to make you look like the most defensive cyclist out on the road. But then again, were any of us very safety conscious in our 20's really? I didn't see where the article mentions helmets at all, either, or in fact, puts some responsibility on the individual cyclist with a sidebar about safety equipment every cyclist ought to have on every ride or about good etiquette on the road. Or a side bar to drivers giving them pointers about what is good etiquette when passing a cyclist or explaining that cyclists on the road is legal, etc.
I'm an avid cyclist and ride a lot of miles 3 or more times a week and have done so mostly in the urban setting of Houston. I focus on cycling defensively. That means following the rules of the road, helmet always, lights when necessary, and always expecting the cars to do something unexpected. With the exception of the helmet, I drive my car the same way.
Honestly, I think this article has very little new to say and will only serve to further polarize people who disagree about cyclists' right to use roads in the first place.
I have had a few incidents with angry drivers. The last one flipped me the bird as he turned left at a lighted intersection as I stood at a red light to make a left turn in the other direction. What's that all about? On a popular morning radio show people were texting in that they wish they could run over cyclists and no one on the show reminded people that a)that's a pretty extreme reaction and b) a cyclist on the road is not breaking city law.
I would be more interested in reading an article that interviewed people who have extreme animosity towards cyclists and maybe have them come out and ride a few times to get a better understanding of how scary cars can be and hopefully teach them some empathy and begin to truly change our local culture around sharing the roads.
There will never be enough bike paths to keep bikes and cars separate. People's attitudes and sense of personal responsibility are the only things that will make the roads safer for cyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers.
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karina 10/09/2009 9:06:00 PM
Bicycle accidents: biomechanical, engineering, and legal aspects By Jeffrey P. Broker, Paul F. Hill
if this is your passion you might want to do the leg work and read up on research studies done pertaining to accidents involving bicycles. i suggest the book above only because it has some great relevant starting points, the person who wrote it is a cyclists, and still manages to be somewhat even handed in acknowledging all parties and their responsibilities. It has a great chapter on insurance and coverage available at a premium through existing home owners and auto insurance held by both cyclist and driver. if you want to make a legitimate case and make your visit to austin a productive one i suggest you guys take a break from lecturing the public and do the leg work so that you can efficiently argue your points and make a case that you a) contribute to the system directly b) will generate enough in revenue from cyclists fees to sustain the programs you want put forth, and c) they benefit the public population and the public transportation as a whole, d) your not stepping on home owners toes when you cut a trail around their property lines e) have relevant, current, specific, and proveable mathematical models to support each claim made. i'm sorry that situations like this birth borader conversations about what the objectives are, what the problems are, how can we fix them, and who's going to pay for it all, but in case you hadn't noticed, it's not just a crusade against bikes, everything from public health care to pulic education, and even public parks and green space are weighed against the benefits they give and the resources available to achieve them, if it's truly your passion, just pony up and put texas in your corner.... volunteer to pay for a sticker and i would imagine there would be more support as well.
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Ms. Commish 10/09/2009 8:43:00 PM
Why is the light issue being brought up again? Cisco had a light, and it was pointed out by one poster that it was in the evidence gathered at the scene. He was killed with having a light, not without having a light. Cisco acted upon the suggestion of the police officer and did protect himself.
Clearly there is a group posting here that does not like bikes on the streets and would rather they remain in the off-road areas of Houston. Well, if your only mode of transportation is a bike going the off-road route generally will lead you no where.
Speed limits are that, the fastest speed you are allowed to drive. Because it states 45 does not mean you can't slow down to 35 and proceed with caution around a rider. It's my understanding the laws do not give the right away to anyone; but do direct who must yield. Driver's need to use common sense and for safety purposes sometimes give up their space for another driver or bike, being the smaller of the two in order to prevent accidents. How much time does it save to pause or slow down for a few seconds? Especially if it will save a life or prevent an accident.
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marmer 10/09/2009 7:55:00 PM
Sara from Pasadena wrote:
"Marmer, YOU JUST WROTE A WALL OF TEXT BLAMING MR. RIOS.
People like you--especially people like you who try to justify your hatred of cyclists by mentioning that you pedal your Wal-Mart special down to the corner store for a six-pack and a bag of Fritos every couple of months and thus you know ~*~exactly~*~ what a real cyclist deals with every day--are the reason I have to assume everything with four wheels and an engine is actively trying to kill me every single day and ride accordingly."
Niiiice. Thanks for setting such a high standard for the tone of this discussion. I was really worried that I might have come off a little callous but the point I was trying to make was that cyclists need lights for night riding. I really don't want to hit one and they need to do their part to be visible. How is that hatred for cyclists? Matt Wurth confirmed that Mr. Rios did have what sounds like proper lights and was using them. He also confirmed, though, that prior to the accident he and the crew he rode with were cautioned by a cop about needing lights. Again, sorry, but that kind of lackadaisical attitude about visibility will get people killed. Why do you have such a problem with that? I'm sorry if I implied that Mr. Rios was in some way responsible for his own death, especially now that Matt has provided more details about the lights.
Your personal attacks are way out of line. I don't own a "Wal-Mart special;" I have a vintage Schwinn that I have maintained like new since 1977, a new Giant cruiser for in-town casual riding, and a 1983 Lotus Eclair road bike I built nearly from scratch for country riding with the local cycling club. I'm not the most serious cyclist in town by a long shot, but I've got plenty of miles in the saddle and, yes, that damned sure makes me more aware of cyclists when I am driving. It's the ones I can't see when I am looking right at them that worry me the most.
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FreddyB 10/09/2009 6:18:00 PM
Here are a couple of snippets from the Texas road statutes (pointed out in previous post) that I wish all bicycle riders would give a little more attention:
"A person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway."
"Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic on the roadway. Persons may not ride more than two abreast unless they are riding on a part of a roadway set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles."
I don't have a problem with bicyclers in general and I give them room on the road. But I do have a problem with those who intentionally block traffic with an attitude like, "I dare you to hit me". I will not get into a game of chicken with a bicyclist but these guys are really risking their lives just to make a minor point. There are a lot of jerks on the roads - I sure wouldn't trust them to avoid me everytime if I'm blocking traffic in a 45 MPH zone - that's just plain crazy. I'll do my level best to avoid you, believe me, but please do your part as well and leave the chip on your shoulder at home.
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Ms. Commish 10/09/2009 6:10:00 PM
It is really sad that this has become a tax issue and who should pay what issue. Cisco, and everyone; pay taxes every day and every time they purchased anything, not just paying rent. Cisco paid taxes when he purchased his bike and accessories. He paid his fair share for road maintenance. Motor fuel taxes are collected on those parties that use vehicles that travel the roads for purposes of maintenance. If you don't want to pay those taxes then don't operate a vehicle that requires fuel. Everyone pays taxes for things they don't use or need, but are meant to make the city one lives in better.
It's a choice, and Cisco chose the bike. He also use to operate a vehicle and he paid his fair share of taxes then. What's with this tax and pay thing in regards to the safety of cyclist?
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Augustus 10/09/2009 5:52:00 PM
I'm a bicycle commuter in Galveston and I can't count the number of times motorists have nearly hit me. When on the Seawall, I ride on the sidewalk. I ride mostly neighborhood streets east of 25th street and hardly a week goes by that I don't have a close call. Some drivers intentionally drive at me, stopping at the last second. The best towns for cycling are not located in Texas. Take a bike to Madison or Ann Arbor or anyplace where Rails to Trails is active and you will find cycling nirvana. Houston has only about 5 miles of RtT and it shows in the body count.
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Peter Wang 10/09/2009 3:44:00 PM
Karina and others,
Bikes are allowed on the roadways as vehicles because that is the law of the State of Texas, and the law of every other State in the Union.
We are a nation of laws, the last time I check. What you think or feel or believe bikes should do or not do is irrelevant. It's the law, and the law is on our side. If you want to try to change the law... be my guest. See you in Austin at the State House in 2011. We cyclists will fight you tooth and nail, and we will win.
If you don't believe me, check it out:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/docs/TN/htm/TN.551.htm
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matt wurth 10/09/2009 5:13:00 AM
Karina:
It seems to be all about the money for you, huh ?
I would not be against a license fee on bikes proportional to their impact on society,our city, our country, our planet.
Based on those factors, it should be a tax credit not a tax. You pay fees like license, insurance, and inspection to have the privilege to motor our streets because your car drinks gas, spits pollution and wears down the road. Bikes do none of this.
You never hear on the news about a cyclist running over and killing someone. Never. That happens pretty much every day with cars and drivers. I'm sure the percentage of traffic accidents caused by cyclists is tiny percentage of all accidents and hardly even registers on the dollar scale.
When gas shoots up to 4 bucks a gallon again, many people will be squeezed out of car ownership and may turn to cycling to get around. More and more people are out there on bikes. These are people you know, friends, family, co-workers.Every day more people choose to use human power to get around instead of fossil fuels.Get used to it. We live in neighborhoods, not on highways. You don't necessarily have to right to blast past me at 45 mph in your car.There are children,dogs,cyclists, people walking around in a big city and sometimes they are in the street.
They don't need a license of insurance for that. You pay taxes and insurance on your car because it has a huge impact on our environment, our society in general, a lot of it negative. Bicycles as a transportation mode have a huge impact too, all positive !! Except for the part about you having to slow down and go around.
The largest portion of the funding for streets everywhere including Houston is Federal tax dollars followed by sales tax including the 1% that goes to Metro.Everyone pays those taxes. Cisco paid property taxes every month when he paid rent. The roads are for everybody not just car owners. I don't watch football but yet my tax dollars funded a Stadium. You can't say that car owners pay for the road so no one else can use them. But back to your argument suggesting taxing bikes and requiring insurance. I wouldn't be against that if it was a common sense, reasonable amount, if every cent of the tax went to cycling infrastructure projects, especially ones that get bikes off the street and out of your way. As far as insurance, proof of financial responsibility could be required to ride on the roads and that might not be terrible. You or your insurance co. has to be able to cough up,what,$ 25,000 minimum if you crash your car into somebody or something right ? Well, how much damage can a bike do ? I think a bike can do maybe $1000 worth of damage to a car,give or take. I can cover that. If you're ever cruising through the Heights in your car and I hit you on my bike, I'll pay for your repairs. I'll self-insure.
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karina 10/09/2009 1:24:00 AM
Let me preface start by saying my comments below are not specific to this man�s situation, I am just using this as a forum to begin the conversation about whether cyclists on the road actually adds any sort of benefit to the general public, because let�s be real, in the grand scheme of city planning it�s about what�s best for everyone as whole, not what�s fair or what was promised, you can�t make everyone happy all the time�. you know the rest�
Re: Mr. Wurth�s reply:
First off thank you for responding to my specific post, however I still feel many of my concerns went unanswered.
yes, motorcycles have the right to use the roads, they have engines, they are vehicles. I'm sorry to say this but i still think there needs to be some equivalent for cyclists. Motorcycles pay registration fees on their automobiles; i agree they are a valid form of transportation. However if a motorcyclists or I get caught driving without insurance i can't use the "but i pay property taxes" line on the judge, he will still fine me for the offense stated, no insurance. Everyone whether employed or not, whether property owner or not pays some form of taxes (sales tax?) but that doesn't excuse you from other taxes. This money goes directly into maintaining (which includes cleaning) the roads, we pay this because our cars would be obsolete without the roads to drive them on, maybe if you guys contributed there would be less of a backlash. If you believe manual bikes are also a valid form of transportation why would you be against paying a small annual fee in exchange for use of roads just like every other vehicle out there? A lot of times I hear cyclists complaining they want to be respected by cars as a legitimate vehicle with a right to be there. I say this, if I am driving and there is a person ahead of me driving 15 miles an hour in a 30, I�m going to honk and go around them and shoot them the �what on god�s green earth are you doing� face. Expect the same reaction if I go around you and you are on a bike. Don�t be upset or assume I�m only doing this because you are on a bike, the fact that you are on a bike is irrelevant, it�s the fact that your speed is dangerously slow, if you were a car you would get a ticket to go along with the honk. I don�t think this applies to speeders or other bad driving that may contribute, but keeping all other things equal, and staying within the speed limits this can easily still happen to a car going 30mph coming around a curve towards a much slower and increasingly closer open exposed person. Also it is a blanket assumption that most of these people pay other taxes in property or vehicle costs is not a proven point (even the person in both stories are mentioned to not own cars, and he certainly did not own property either). you can not prove that every cyclists owns a car and/or a house, and it still goes back to specific taxes for specific causes. I'm not sure if the road ways were paved nationally for cyclists use, but i do know that if that is true these roads would have been interstate roads because the only roads the federal government maintains are interstates, i don't remember the last time i saw a cyclist on i-10, but i agree they would have the right to use the interstates, since we all should be paying federal income tax, however city roads means state dollars, this goes back to the registration sticker point. Not everyone works near their homes, in fact i think it's pretty well agreed upon that Houston is very spread out, i just don't think you will ever get kingwood/pearland/sugarland/and all the other feeder neighborhoods outside of houston to ride in 30 miles, then ride home another 30 miles back, it's unrealistic to think someday 1-10 will be full of cyclist going west, the car pool lanes will consist of a driver and at least one other pumped person? The reason we pay sticker fees on our cars are because we know our cars beat up the road, so we pay to keep them up so we can continue to use them, now we have to adjust to include lanes for what some consider a lifestyle and others consider a hobby. I�m still not convinced this isn�t a hobby. Please tell me the differences between a person wanting skateboard lanes, or roller blade lanes, unicycle lanes, dog sled lanes, ski lanes, and a person wanting bike lanes? We have public transportation in metro and light rail, we have car pool lanes, we have transit center park and ride, what benefits would bikes give us that these aren�t already? Why would I ride my bike in from katy instead of park and ride? Where would I put my kids? My groceries? My pets? What about when it rains? A car less society is very unattainable, we�d be much better off focusing on public transportation for the economically challenged who actually depend on public transportation, not those who demand their preference of transportation be integrated into an existing system without even wanting to contribute monetarily to the system. When it rains out or it�s extremely hot, you can jump in your car and leave the bike for a nicer day, somewhere there is a Houstonian who depends on public transportation, rain or shine they stand at the bus stop waiting, they get in, pay the fare, and go on their way, in turn they have contributed more to the maintenance of our roads via their 2.00 daily fare than the guy on a bike just outside their window demanding part of the road.
If there is something I�m not seeing please let me know, I tried looking at this and I think this would be the best solution to everyone�s problems with the current situation. This would also keep families from trying to sue city governments because they would be compensated by the insurance companies covering each driver involved and there would be no need for civil court.
I understand what it�s like to be too close to something to really see it, I have a lot of personal beliefs I stand on a soapbox about all the time. I understand this skews my perspective on those subjects because I�m too passionate or too connected to something to see the other side, when you live one side it�s hard to empathize with the other. Cycling is not one of those subjects for me, I can stand far away and look at both sides and see that one weighs a little more than the other, and the lighter side must add some weight if they ever want to balance. I think there could be a nice balance, but there has to be some sort of acceptance and ownership of rights and responsibilities on both sides. Don�t assume people are in too much of a hurry and that�s the only reason they dislike bikes on the roads. I�m never really in a hurry, I�m late to almost everything. It�s the safety issue, for all of us. It�s the get in where you fit in rule, the I got 5 on it rule. The everybody got they cups but they ain�t chipped in rule. You gotta come with some money in hand and some acceptance of responsibilities just like the rest of us on the roads. I don�t think you�ll get more than a small percentage of the people near and around downtown to ride their bikes to work and for errands and for everything for at least 3 days a week. Still, even a small concentrated population like that, of riders I would consider to be serious about using this as a primary or solitary mode of transportation would be a significant amount of serious bikers and collectively you guys should let your dollar speak for you. I hope you guys can come to a happy middle where most are happy. I think bike riders are independent thinkers, I think the sense of community is great, I think even a lot of them can agree, they should be willing to give a little to take a little. I think there could even be some sort of ghost bike fund set up along side the registration and insurance fees where the families of ghost bike recipients can be helped during the grieving process. I hope you guys the best of luck and I hope the families involved here understand this is not a swipe at their loved ones, who I don�t pretend to know or understand, and who I�m certain were complex, deep, loved and now missed. There are no winners and this comment board shouldn�t be used for soap box rants, rather for meaningful discussions which advance us towards balance and happiness and give meaning to otherwise painful scars of life.
and yes please please please!!! keep at least 3 ft between you and the cyclists!!!!! talking about the validity is one thing, but getting dangerously close to an unprotected person in order to prove a point is never acceptable and stamps the words "jack-ass" across your forehead. honking i can't say much about, but never intimidate or bully another person, especially when they are exposed and you are in a huge piece of machinery.
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Bike Commuter 10/09/2009 1:13:00 AM
I commute a couple of days a week from the Garden Oaks are to Downtown. Most of my route is on a bike lane and I usually don't have problems.
The biggest drawback is being honked at and cussed at my drivers. I am really careful about staying in the bike lane or close to the curb. It doesn't matter - just being on my bike seems to piss people off.
Once I was hit by a car on Heights Blvd. It wasn't my fault, but I'm the one who ended up with road rash.
I just try to really, really watch the cars.
Wish me luck.
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Ms. Commish 10/08/2009 11:57:00 PM
Cisco's life was very lovely and from what I know of the incident he wasn't breaking in laws. A wonderful life was lost that night and nothing will bring Cisco back; and to say hateful cruel things about someone one doesn't even know is out of line.
The article is a wonderful one and shows just how politcal promises are never kept. I recall all the talk about building bike trails and lanes, and the excitment cyclist felt that finally they would be safe. What happened? A few white lines painted on existing streets, with no real new right of way. For anyone wondering what those fading white lines are, they ARE Houston's bike lanes! Yes, cyclist do slow you down, but most are very careful and aware of the vehicles and in most cases yield to them when in fact the vehicle should yield to the cyclist.
I would suggest next time anyone is speeding and in such a hurry to get somewhere, by running their own red light or stop sign they slow down and think about the lives that are lost in just this type of incident. Cisco or any child that is hit by a speeding car or driver in too much of a hurry to care about others.
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matt wurth 10/08/2009 9:40:00 PM
Regarding the last post: Cycling is not just a hobby, it is a valid and very efficient means of transportation. If more people got around by bicycle, everyone's taxes would be lower due to less wear and tear on our roads and we would have less need for giant road and highway projects that cost billions.
Most cyclists already pay plenty of taxes via sales tax, property tax, the taxes they pay on their cars as you mention.
Interestingly, early in the last century before the explosion of the automobile, streets were paved all across America due to the lobbying of bicyclists who needed a smoother road than the typical rutted horse cart paths. The road network today isn't just for cars, bikes and motorcycles are also valid means of getting around AND bikes don't pollute or cause the damage and wear and tear on the roadway like cars and trucks. When you are driving in the city, you have to navigate all sorts of obstacles, traffic lights, other dumb drivers, people walking, dogs, and yes, bicycle riders. Just remember everyone is trying to get somewhere too, it's not your God-Given right to motor around the city unobstructed, you are going to have to put your foot on the brake for other road users sometimes, and just chill and go around someone on a bike , leaving at least 3ft between the metal of your car and a cyclist's body.
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karina 10/08/2009 8:33:00 PM
i originally posted this under boone's story but would really like some feedback from some cyclists about my concerns. i'm not a cyclists, but my boyfriend is, he is usually able to give me the other perspective when I can't see it for myself, but this one semi-stumped him and I would really like to hear from otehr cyclists. Please don't think I'm justifying anybody getting hurt on our roadways.
it is a sad ending to what sounds like a lovely life. Now i have to play devils advocate here. i do not believe cyclists should be allowed on road ways, i won't get into every reason why but i will state the ones that no bike riders can answer for me thus far. maybe someone here can enlighten me. Why don't riders have cyclists insurance? why do they not have state & inspection stickers? i drive my car on the roadways. City planning had only automobiles in mind when measuring out and mapping these roads. in order to use these roadways i have to pay the state for a sticker that says my car meets certain mechanical standards and i also pay for another sticker that registers my car and maintains the roads i drive on. then i pay my insurance co. to cover me and anyone/any place else i might run into. If you want to ride your bike on streets designed for vehicles, i'm going to need you to put in some much needed maintenace money too, it's only fair. and I need you to get some insurance, becuase everyone scoffs at the 88' acura integra with no bumper and rope tying the door shut, because you know the person driving it is more than likely uninsured, and if they hit you it will be coming out of your pocket. not just that, but also if they change lanes, swerve, turn from a far lane, stop short, anything. well a cyclist on the road is just as guilty. I consider cyclists to be on par with uninsured drivers. You may not think insurance is required since a bike crashing into something will cause less damage than a car crashing into something, or the speeds are much lower than in a car, but your missing the point. small actions others make can cause reactions from others on the roads, for example stopping short on a bike in front of me, or darting across my lane will make me swerve and hit another car, or swerve and end up at the bottom of a ditch. you may not be able to directly inflict much force on anything, but your actions may cause someone else to. I have to admit that I do believe cycling is a hobby/sport. Everyone would agree to denying road access to a roller blader or a skateboarder, yet somehow some feel it is ok to bring their hobbies on the roads. I'm all for trails where bikes don't see cars and cars don't see bikes, but roads are for automobiles. I think accidents like this ( 2 fire trucks accidnet) are trajic and unexplainable. I'm not sure why this young woman who sounds like a great person had to pass, but i do not think accidents like this can be prevented. I think we are much safer enclosed in our cars, and are much more aware of our surroundings when operating a big machine. You would never think to run a stop sign in a car, yet cyclists do run these occasionally if not alot( i live in the heights and work in downtown, i've lived in the heights since 82) not only are they assuming a great risk, but they are also risking the lives of others, just like bad drivers. I'm not saying this story or situation is like that, i'm saying because of these points we should reconsider letting bikes on our streets, bike lanes don't seem to work and streets posted with signs no one sees just assume more risk in exchange for very litle reward towards the general public. you can not go 35 miles an hour on your bike, you can not go from 0 to 35 in 2 seconds after a red light turns green. my car can, and your now driving dangerously slow, this is why cars have to adhere to speed limits, whether min or max limits they are equally important safety standards. I just do not believe hobbies should suffocate our infrastructure , i would be opposed to cars on a bike trail too. my condolences to the family of this girl and every other accident victim, and much respect for her efforts to live a cleaner life, i just think there are other ways to cut pollution out of our lives that do not put either cyclists or the general public at a higher risk that what already exists.
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matt wurth 10/08/2009 7:47:00 PM
Cisco purchased a high-powered LED headlight and blinking LED tail light from I Cycle about a week or so before he was run over. He had lights. A picture of the crime scene shows the light shining through the plastic Haz-Mat bag where they placed the evidence from the wreck. He had lights and the other side is lying and saying he did not. I sold him those lights and remember the transaction and conversation when he said he was warned by a cop to get lights and he did.
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Sara 10/08/2009 4:55:00 PM
"I'm not blaming Mr. Rios"
Marmer, YOU JUST WROTE A WALL OF TEXT BLAMING MR. RIOS.
People like you--especially people like you who try to justify your hatred of cyclists by mentioning that you pedal your Wal-Mart special down to the corner store for a six-pack and a bag of Fritos every couple of months and thus you know ~*~exactly~*~ what a real cyclist deals with every day--are the reason I have to assume everything with four wheels and an engine is actively trying to kill me every single day and ride accordingly.
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Former Commuter 10/08/2009 4:54:00 PM
I used to commute to work, about three miles each way until I almost got hit at Shepherd & Fairview by a car who turned left as I approached to go through the intersection.
While Cisco's death was tragic, I have no remorse for anything that happens to people on bikes who disobey the rules of the road. As a cyclist, you are supposed to stop at stop signs, red lights and obey the general rules of the road.
Basic rules of the road are often overlooked by cyclists either too hip to stop on their single speed bikes, those who just don't care or those who are just ignorant.
Just because you are on a bike does not mean you have the right to run red lights and stop signs. According to the State of Texas, cyclists are vehicles. You wouldn't run a red light in your car, why do it on a bike?
This is what annoys me about our local "critical mass" group. You want to be respected on the road, but you fail to follow the rules of that road.
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Ms. Commish 10/08/2009 4:16:00 PM
Thanks Ahmad for sending the link. We all miss Cisco's smiling face walking into the sports bar after a Texans game or an Oakland win! He will always remain in our hearts come football season and for ever!!
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Gary Packwood 10/08/2009 4:19:00 AM
BIKE Club
Good article!
So we have Palahniuk type Fight Clubs which we call our Houston Bike Clubs whose leaders have dedicated their lives to doing battle with city and county bureaucrats over the creation of bikeways.
Some guys just love the smell of a bureaucrat fight in the morning. So be it!
While the spit, blood and teeth are flying at city hall, why not ask bikers who are health care professionals to form a group that promotes health and wellness through biking? And actually measure results in collaboration with public health professionals here in Houston.
A good starting place might be the University of Houston Outdoor Adventure Club [Go Coogs!].
http://tinyurl.com/yeqlvd6
City Council members will embrace bikeways when there is a political reason for them to do so. A public health connection would be a good reason. About as good as it gets. Especially when grant dollars are needed.
If you check out the UH Adventure Club web site be prepared to be shocked. There are lots of smiling people who don't do FIGHT club, I would imagine.
The first rule of adventure biking is: you DO talk about adventure biking.
::
GP
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Peter Wang 10/08/2009 3:49:00 AM
John, thanks for the article, it was good. I hope someday soon we will be on the cusp of change in this area.
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Gaslight 10/08/2009 3:34:00 AM
I do use any bike lanes available and side streets when I commute from the Heights to where I teach in Spring Branch, fully lit from all sides. In the morning for certain, most motorists go out of their way to be cooperative.
But occasionally, and ironically during broad daylight, motorisst get nasty, aggressive and confrontational. Honking, swerving close, screaming to get out of the way...ah, good times.
You hate to let one jerkface can ruin your entire commute -especially when it's obbvious they're ignorant of cyclists rights as drivers.
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doesnt matter 10/08/2009 1:15:00 AM
If they are going to sue anyone perhaps they should sue the city for not providing a safe place to ride. The truck driver has to live with the horror of the accident the rest of his life, no matter whos fault it might have been.
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Flash 10/07/2009 9:32:00 PM
Motorist WILL TRY TO KILL YOU for being on their road. I finally had to retreat to the sidewalks and back roads. The bike lanes are a joke. I've never, ever seen them used. If you make it a habit of commuting west of the West Loop, sooner or later you will die or be seriously injured. It is just not worth it.
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marmer 10/07/2009 8:35:00 PM
"Rios's friends all say he bought a light several weeks before the accident, as the Night Rider All Stars had been stopped and warned by a cop in Memorial for not having lights at the time. And everyone who knew him said he was very cautious."
Really? The Night Rider All Stars had to be TOLD by a COP that they needed lights? The unfortunate Mr. Rios bought "a light?"
I'm a cyclist and a careful driver. I do not text while driving, and I always watch for bicycles. I can't tell you how many times I've been driving at night and been scared absolutely out of my mind by an INVISIBLE bicycle without lights, ridden by someone wearing dark clothing. Sorry. Serious cyclists KNOW they need to take responsibility for their visibility. That means front and rear lights, preferably flashing, and reflective or at least light colored clothing. I'm not blaming Mr. Rios, but I hope the cyclists who read this learn from this tragedy and do everything they can to make themselves visible.
