How Was Your Commute Today?

[Fredwina]

note to self: do not ride bike through on alumni weekend

[BikingNurse]

note to self: do not ride bike through on alumni weekend

That sounds like an interresting story.

Um. can somebody in Eastern WA tell me who ordered this crappy weather? I'm really getting sick of it and because of it. Had to rinse my sinuses out after I got to work this AM. and Seriously, I thought my 8year old was going to get nocked off his bike this morning from that wind! GRRR!

[blackhillsbiker]

Took the mountain bike today. I'm tired of all the potholes. I enjoyed the smoother ride. Those big tires just roll over anything. Still smiling!

Deb

[Serendipity]

Headwind, rain, tailwind, more rain, headwind, rain.......
Sheesh, the wind kept changing direction! And the rain kept coming - sure was good to get home!

[redrhodie]

Just getting ready for my commute, and pumping my tires, discovered I have a slow leak. Good thing I could hear it! Taking my other bike, which is probably a better idea anyway since there's a chance of rain this evening. Looks pretty hot out.

[7rider]

This morning's ride was the first of the year where I did not need to wear arm warmers, leg warmers or a vest of any sort. 65 degrees (18 C) and STICKY. Blech.

[pfunk12]

This morning's ride was the first of the year where I did not need to wear arm warmers, leg warmers or a vest of any sort. 65 degrees (18 C) and STICKY. Blech.

Agree...blech. I was soaking wet when I got to work.

[pfunk12]

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! 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!" And it was supposed to be a calm commute home...

[redrhodie]

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

[pfunk12]

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

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!

[7rider]

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. ...

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>>>

[pfunk12]

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>>>

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.

[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?

[pfunk12]

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?

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.

[redrhodie]

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!