How Was Your Commute Today?

Yesterday I got wet going to work. It rained about 1/4 of the way. Luckily I did put my rain gear on so that when I got to work I wasn't all muddy. I just had to be careful on the last hill because I was starting to overheat and so I took it slower instead of arriving at work all clammy.
For my return trip, no rain, but no headlight either. It was still plugged in to my charger at home. I carry a backup headlamp, but it fell off my helmet and smashed all over the place. Since I ride the same route every day, I knew where all the potholes were. My biggest concern was if there was a dead animal in the dark areas. At least I still had my taillight so drivers behind me could see me.
All and all though it was a good day.
But then again, I think that just about any day I get to ride is a good day.

This is the second time in the past 2 weeks that I have almost been intentionally run over. And on both occasions, it happened at the same intersection - right in front of the building where I work. About 2 years ago, the Washington, D.C. Department of Transportation changed one of the lanes in front of our building and it created a dangerous situation for anyone who is trying to cross the street. Instead of having a center lane that goes straight, they changed it so the center lane can also turn left. When they turn left, they are flying down a hill and turning into pedestrians or cyclists. It's a blind spot for them. But even so, it's a crosswalk for pedestrians. I had 31 seconds to cross the street. I was going slowly and cautiously. I saw that a car across the street was going straight so I figured that I had enough time to cross since it would surely slow down the traffic that was turning. I was in the intersection and both lanes that were turning were coming right at me. I guess I panicked. I went to stop and I was trying to unclip but I was looking over my shoulder to my right -watching the cars that were bearing down on me and I guess in a defensive move, my body twisted to the left (as if I was trying to avoid being hit). And of course, I fell. So I'm sprawled on a Washington, D.C. street during rush hour traffic. One of the cars stopped but at least 2 other cars flew by me - AS I WAS LYING ON THE ROAD! :eek: I am frazzled - to say the least. I want my agency to make a formal complaint. I'm not sure if it should be to the Dept. of Transportation or even the Mayor. Since he's a cyclist, maybe he would be a little sympathetic. We've seen car accidents and at least once, we saw a woman get hit by a car. The last time it happened (less than 2 weeks ago), I was crossing and the guy picked up speed and again was bearing down on me and when he went by, the passenger yelled, "Yeah!" :mad: And it was supposed to be a calm commute home...

(((pfunk)))! Are you okay? How's your bike?

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

(((pfunk)))! Are you okay? How's your bike?

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My bike is okay - thank goodness. I have a scratch/bruise on my knee but I'm just really upset. There have been times when I have crossed the street with co-workers and I have actually felt like I have had to protect some of the older women so they wouldn't get hit. That's how bad that intersection is. Thanks for asking!

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Originally Posted by pfunk12

Instead of having a center lane that goes straight, they changed it so the center lane can also turn left. When they turn left, they are flying down a hill and turning into pedestrians or cyclists. It's a blind spot for them. But even so, it's a crosswalk for pedestrians. ...

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That sounds just like the intersection by my building in Silver Spring. Cars routinely come bombing through the (often red) light to make that left - right into crossing pedestrians. Just today, an Escape did it, and squealed to a stop just inches from a line of pedestrians (and me), and of course, grid-locked the intersection for traffic going straight, until the pedestrians cleared out and he could finish running that red. :(

That does sound like a horrible scene for you - and for all your fellow employees. You should take it to your building manager and see about filing a complaint. If no one says anything, they'll assume it's okay...until someone gets killed.

Glad you are for the most part okay. Scary way to start the ride home. <<<<safe rides>>>

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Originally Posted by 7rider

That sounds just like the intersection by my building in Silver Spring. Cars routinely come bombing through the (often red) light to make that left - right into crossing pedestrians. Just today, an Escape did it, and squealed to a stop just inches from a line of pedestrians (and me), and of course, grid-locked the intersection for traffic going straight, until the pedestrians cleared out and he could finish running that red. :(

That does sound like a horrible scene for you - and for all your fellow employees. You should take it to your building manager and see about filing a complaint. If no one says anything, they'll assume it's okay...until someone gets killed.

Glad you are for the most part okay. Scary way to start the ride home. <<<<safe rides>>>

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I know exactly where you are talking about near your workplace.

The reason that the DOT changed that lane was for the motorists. They never thought about how it would affect pedestrians or cyclists. I have watched some of my co-workers run across the street because it's the only way they could get across without getting hit.

I will definitely talk to the building manager tomorrow.

pfunk12-
That intersection sounds like a deathtrap! Glad you are ok, and definitely file a complaint!

Is there another way you can go and avoid that intersection?

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Originally Posted by tzvia

pfunk12-
That intersection sounds like a deathtrap! Glad you are ok, and definitely file a complaint!

Is there another way you can go and avoid that intersection?

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In the evening (when the motorists seem more aggressive), I can't avoid it. My plan from now on is to be unclipped when I am crossing in case I have to stop. And also, to never assume that the motorists are going to stop because apparently, they don't care.

When I was at the light this morning at 6:50, I almost witnessed a woman walking her dog get hit.

Fabtastic commutes for me the last 2 days. :) I've started riding my summer route in the mornings, which is 3 miles longer (18 miles one way). It's such a pretty ride. I go by a horse farm, and the horses all look so happy. I pass a couple of small farm stands just selling rhubarb and asparagus at this point. It's a little hillier, and my legs are feeling it now. I had a sweet tailwind for the ride home. I needed that!

we sure have touchy weather. Yesterday, I escaped by minutes a hail storm and high winds... (well, i got enough wind)
Today it misted in the morning and RAINED all the way home. Maybe tomorrow it will be nicer?

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Originally Posted by pfunk12

This is the second time in the past 2 weeks that I have almost been intentionally run over.

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Patty, so glad to hear that you survived the crazy ordeal and weren't seriously injured.

I ride alongside a marsh as I approach my workplace.

Today I saw this family of geese - they were in about the same location as I was heading into work and as I was heading home.

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Originally Posted by kmehrzad

Patty, so glad to hear that you survived the crazy ordeal and weren't seriously injured.

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Thanks, Kathy. I'm sending an e-mail to Mayor Fenty to complain. I talked to several co-workers about the intersection and everyone said that you feel like you have a target on your back when you are in the crosswalk.

I got to my breakfast place a discovered I had grabbed the wrong keys and didn't have the ones for my bike locks :( I have an extra set at work but I needed to leave my bike unlocked while I ate (and kept a watch on it). Once I got to work I left the bike unlocked, ran upstairs to my desk for the keys, and came down. Since they haven't fixed the bike rack that got squished by the tree I had to lock up to a parking sign.

On the way home I had to bike ~ a mile on grooved road; I hate that and can't wait until they've got this repaving done. :rolleyes:

I have just discovered the joys of bike commuting, thanks to a new job in the city. It is such a refreshing start to the day to be on the bike, watching the sun come up (I'm on the bike by 5:30....), listening to the birds singing, and playing "chicken" with the squirrels and rabbits on the way.

Of course, I could do with out the getting rained on while riding home... :D

SheFly

morning is my favorite time to ride for all those reasons

SheFly, are you commuting into Boston?
Details, please.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

SheFly, are you commuting into Boston?
Details, please.

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Allston, actually. Started a job at Harvard Business School about 5 weeks ago. It's a much better bike commute than Marlborough (although my commute from the bedroom to the office was nice ;)).

SheFly

Congrats on the job. I remember you were talking about that possibility.
Do you still have Friday afternoons free?

Pfunk, please keep us posted..

HEY IT's BEAUTIFUL in Seattle today! a great time to be on a bike!!

I e-mailed Mayor Fenty about almost getting killed twice recently by crazed motorists in his city. His response is below. I'm sure a staffer wrote it but still...

Thank you for reaching out to the Mayor's Office regarding the safety of cyclists in the District of Columbia.

I am pleased to report that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is working hard to make the District one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country. DDOT is continually working to connect and expand the bicycle- and pedestrian-related infrastructure in the District.

Thank you for your email and your passionate concern for cyclists in the District of Columbia. Your comments have been taken into account and have been sent to officials at DDOT and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

My administration continues to strive to act in a manner that has the best interest of your community and the District of Columbia as a whole in mind. The continued interest and feedback from the community is always welcomed. It is emails like yours that have kept the city on task as we move forward in making improvements around the District. Thanks for writing and for your support.

Sincerely,

Adrian M. Fenty
Mayor

Wow. If that's not a canned response, I don't know what is. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by 7rider

Wow. If that's not a canned response, I don't know what is. :rolleyes:

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I know. The probably took out the word "pedestrian" and inserted "cyclist".

Pfunk, do you have a local bike organization that does advocacy work??

Another excellent day here for commuting. Surprising tailwind this evening made the ride home fast and easy. I did 3 for 3 this week.

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

Pfunk, do you have a local bike organization that does advocacy work??

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Yes, we do. The Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

Our mayor's bike got stolen, so I guess he feels our pain.

The commute the day before yesterday was hard. Headwinds all the way, both rides, and I was worn out by the time I got home. I decided I would rest yesterday.

So much for that! At 7:55 am, I saw that the wind was supposed to be from the south by evening (tailwind!), so even though I hadn't yet showered, I decided to ride. If I ride, I usually leave my house by 8:15. It was a mad rush, but I actually made it to work on time!

I enjoyed my tailwind back, as planned. :) I heart tailwinds.

Have to start with last nights commute. It was FANTASTIC!! I had my son meet me at my work and we rode together. We saw 4 deer! We stopped and watched them for a bit then headed to the store. I learned to keep my camera on me. I think we saw the deer because we were on our bikes and taking it easy. All the cars that were passing? I doubt they saw anything.
Ride this AM was short but the weather was so nice. I am going on a longer ride after work. I'm excited.

commutes have been lovely. Weather has finally settled down. dry and sunny! YAY!

FINALLY commuted today (first time this week). It was great!!! It rained hard last night, so the morning was wet, cold, and smelled so fresh and pretty. ;)
I should have ridden the first 3 days of the week, but sleepiness got the best of me in the morning.

Happy Bike to Work Day Everyone :D

In honor of said Bike To Work Day (May 21), we hosted a "Pre-BTWD Seminar" this morning in our Fitness Center. This is the 3rd year we've done this and we had 6 attendees - an average haul - 4 of whom had never biked to work before. We had a woman from the League of American Bicyclists talk about confident commuting - going over equipment, riding in traffic and such. We had a bunch of handouts on road rules, work area facilities, benefits of cycling, and stuff like that. Lastly, we had my bike - which I actually rode today :rolleyes: - as a demo bike, showing off its lights, bells, rack, panniers.
Next week, we'll have a morning coffee for commuters - with coffee and bagels and giveaways. We have a competition going on with Discovery Communications - the cable channel is headquartered right up the hill from our office. We'll be trying to beat them with a percentage bike commuted on BTWD. Given their underwhelming response to our challenge, I'm hoping we'll do okay. :p
Lastly, a guy who works for EPA, who's working at our office for a few months came to me looking for bike facilities. Those smug EPA'ers! ;) They get a Silver Bike Friendly Business designation from LAB and they get all haughty about how, why, they thought ALL government agencies had fancy bike rooms and free showers. All he had seen of our humble little agency out in the low-rent area outside the District was a member-only Fitness Center and bikes locked to railings by elevators. But I did show him, in our GSA building next door, we DID have a runners locker room that offered free showers and bike racks in a guarded garage that was so secure, a bike that was unlocked but near the racks, has been sitting their for about 5 years, and no one's lifted it. :cool: So, we redeemed ourselves in his eyes!
An attempt at a Bicycle Friendly Business designation is on the short list for us this - or next - year.

Well, you've got to admit that we do have pretty sweet bike commuting facilities! So I guess we earned our smugness and haughtiness!!:p:p

The last few times I've commuted I've been told by the ridiculous weather people that it will rain so I take my delightful fendered bike - which happens to be heavy, slow, creaky, and best used for groceries.

And then it doesn't rain and I wish I had take my speed demon CC. Oh well, it's nice to not neglect the older child, er, bike because the younger is so much fun.

Last week I managed 5 for 5. That is only the 2nd time I have done that at this job.
This week, not as good. 3 for 5. Bad weather and dental appointments kept me off the bike the other 2 days.
But the ride home last night was fantastic. Finally a nice warm night. I took the longer route and rode a little slower just to enjoy it longer. :D

Walked my commute today. It rained so much it scared me going up that hill that I live at the bottom of. Probably no need to be scared but I wanted to be safe. UM. was soaked by the time I got to work and forgot we had a meeting with our VP right off the bat!

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Originally Posted by BikingNurse

Walked my commute today.

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How far a walk is it? I'll be 2 miles from my lab after we move, so I was thinking I'd walk instead of bike. Biking only 4 miles a day will not be enough exercise but walking 4 miles, at least most days, would be great.

It'll be funny when I decide to be "lazy" and bike to work!

chased thunderstorms on the way to work (well, more like- tried to out-run the thunderstorm). It's dry now, but they are supposed to return around 4 (just in time to ride home).

No worries- after the brutal hailstorm we had on Sunday night- I'm glad to be on my bike and not have my car outside with a chance of hail again. ;)


That would be hail in the picture below- not snow.

It's Bike to Work Day in Los Angeles, and I figured that was as good an excuse as any to start riding from my new place.

It's six miles further, but I didn't really notice. (I might notice when the headwinds kick my butt on the way home.) I ran into a nice BTWD stand sponsored by Alaska Airlines and the MS Ride. They had maps and snacks, woohoo!

The lady from Alaska said that they are working on getting bikes to fly free, but didn't have it approved in time for today. That would rock the hizzy, I could totally ride next time I visit my friends on the outskirts of Portland.

Overall, really nice ride! Pretty day, and since I hadnt been on my bike in a few weeks, I felt like a champ.