mimitabby
03-28-2007, 06:41 AM
Cyclists soon to get safer routes
10-year plan calls for more than 200 miles of designated lanes
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/309232_rudebikers28.html
By COLIN McDONALD
P-I REPORTER
On her purple Huffy, 9-year-old Page Robinson isn't intimidated by the other bicyclists rushing by with handlebars as high as her pink helmet -- or the rumbling cars and trucks that have her ears ringing.
"I want her to feel like she can do this," said Brian Robinson, directing his daughter through a five-way intersection at the south end of the Fremont Bridge. They were checking out her new two-wheeled commute to after-school gymnastics lessons.
Making bicyclists of all ages feel more secure in city traffic is a top goal of the city of Seattle, which will soon release the final draft of its Bicycle Master Plan for public comment.
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There are signs of progress. Mayor Greg Nickels proposed regulations Tuesday that would require the city to consider how to accommodate bicyclists when designing or rebuilding roads. And the Cascade Bicycle Club is gearing up to start a $50,000 ad campaign aimed at teaching motorists how to safely share the road. The club also intends to post bike-etiquette rules at every trailhead and path.
"It's a hodgepodge," said Chris Cameron, Cascade's commuting specialist, of Seattle's existing bike paths and lanes. "It's a free-for-all, and that is where people get hurt."
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TRAIL ETIQUETTE
Suggested trail rules from Chris Cameron, Cascade Bicycle Club's commuting specialist:
Pedestrians:
# Walk on the far right, no more than two abreast.
Dog walkers:
# Curb your dogs to the grass. They must be on a leash.
Bicyclists:
# Wear a helmet (it's the law in Seattle, and violators face an $81 fine).
# Announce in a loud voice "On your left!" or ring your bell before passing other cyclists or pedestrians.
# Keep your speed under 15 mph in crowded areas.
# Stop at all intersections, especially at crosswalks.
# Don't race or engage in time trials on trails.
# Form a single file when approaching oncoming pedestrians or cyclists.
# Wear reflective clothing and blinking lights in low-light conditions.
# Be courteous to all trail users. Smile and say hello.
10-year plan calls for more than 200 miles of designated lanes
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/309232_rudebikers28.html
By COLIN McDONALD
P-I REPORTER
On her purple Huffy, 9-year-old Page Robinson isn't intimidated by the other bicyclists rushing by with handlebars as high as her pink helmet -- or the rumbling cars and trucks that have her ears ringing.
"I want her to feel like she can do this," said Brian Robinson, directing his daughter through a five-way intersection at the south end of the Fremont Bridge. They were checking out her new two-wheeled commute to after-school gymnastics lessons.
Making bicyclists of all ages feel more secure in city traffic is a top goal of the city of Seattle, which will soon release the final draft of its Bicycle Master Plan for public comment.
<SNIP>
There are signs of progress. Mayor Greg Nickels proposed regulations Tuesday that would require the city to consider how to accommodate bicyclists when designing or rebuilding roads. And the Cascade Bicycle Club is gearing up to start a $50,000 ad campaign aimed at teaching motorists how to safely share the road. The club also intends to post bike-etiquette rules at every trailhead and path.
"It's a hodgepodge," said Chris Cameron, Cascade's commuting specialist, of Seattle's existing bike paths and lanes. "It's a free-for-all, and that is where people get hurt."
<SNIP>
<SNIP>
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
Suggested trail rules from Chris Cameron, Cascade Bicycle Club's commuting specialist:
Pedestrians:
# Walk on the far right, no more than two abreast.
Dog walkers:
# Curb your dogs to the grass. They must be on a leash.
Bicyclists:
# Wear a helmet (it's the law in Seattle, and violators face an $81 fine).
# Announce in a loud voice "On your left!" or ring your bell before passing other cyclists or pedestrians.
# Keep your speed under 15 mph in crowded areas.
# Stop at all intersections, especially at crosswalks.
# Don't race or engage in time trials on trails.
# Form a single file when approaching oncoming pedestrians or cyclists.
# Wear reflective clothing and blinking lights in low-light conditions.
# Be courteous to all trail users. Smile and say hello.