When did I become the Commuting Evangelist?

[tulip]

Since this is a commuting thread I think this question wouldn’t be too out of place. Ok picture this, I live off of one of three main four lane highways in my city. I have to cross a sizable bridge over a large lake with trashy shoulders. The ride would be about 10 miles. I would be riding through a very trafficky area near our local mall and stores such as Home Depot and chain restaurants. Would yall recommend riding this as a commuter? Am I asking for trouble? Also being as though I live near the mountains this is a bit of a hilly area and the roads are not laid out for the ease of a cyclist. Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jessica

Every city that I've ever been to, and most suburbs and countrysides, have more than one road. The trick to commuting by bicycle is to find a route that is not the same route as you would take in your car. Get a map, get creative, and find out what you CAN do. It may not work for you, but you'll never know until you look at the possibilities.

This is not directed just at Jessica. Good luck to everyone in finding ways to make the world a better place.

[Waverly]

Every city that I've ever been to, and most suburbs and countrysides, have more than one road. The trick to commuting by bicycle is to find a route that is not the same route as you would take in your car. Get a map, get creative, and find out what you CAN do. It may not work for you, but you'll never know until you look at the possibilities.

This is not directed just at Jessica. Good luck to everyone in finding ways to make the world a better place.

I SO wish that were true for me! The problem is that due to the lake you are VERY limited to roads that cross it. There is a neighborhood that I can through but it leads me onto one of the other major highways which also crosses the lake. Other than going 20+ miles out of my way I don't have that option.

Jessica

[Dianyla]

Does that lake/bridge road have any sort of pedestrian sidewalk? Some of the bridges here in Portland are pretty icky to ride over (steel grates! ) and so a lot of cyclists use the sidewalk in that case.

Also, you'd be surprised how effective a phone call to the department of transportation or city sanitation can be if you let them know there is a ton of debris on a specific road shoulder. It's worth a try, chances are they'll come out and sweep it.

[Geonz]

The other tactic is to try to find other people to ride with you ... then you become a movement... it *is* tricky. In my experience, on those kinds of roads, drivers don't expect cycles, and they dont' *LIKE* them, and they are hostile. I feel like I'm exercising my rights... rights that are not going to be yielded willingly.
Timing is everything, though... now that there are some forces saying "maybe we shouldn't be addicted to oil," people *might* be more willing to cheer for you and leave you lots of room. On the other hand, change can be very threatening; that guy in the Hummer towing is small yacht may have a certain attitude...

[Dianyla]

Oh dear, this could become a problem. I can't claim personal responsibility for this, but this morning I showed up to work and the bike lock in front was almost completely full of bikes!

[CorsairMac]

Woohoo Dianyla - but of Course you can take responsibility for it! Good on you!!....and gee isn't That a shame that your office needs to get another bike lock??!

and Trek I Love the poster idea!!

and Waverly: you might try riding it on a quiet day say like early on a Sat or Sun morning and see how comfortable you are with the route. My first response to your question was Absolutely I'd ride it - but I ride busy streets every day so I don't think about it. I do - however - make myself visible by wearing bright colours, sitting up at any questionable intersetions, and living in a basically bike friendly community!

[Trek420]

what corsair sed about scouting the route, it took me months of weekend trips, I made a project of it. Even with maps I'd set out east - the Nimitz set out South - Industrial blvd North - Jackson/92 West - into the Bay nice, but not the way to work .... finaly found the ped/bike overpass, it's like they set out to hide it.