YAY! PDX Bike Boxes!!

[elk]

Here is a link to a story (and further links to videos) about Portland's new Bike Boxes....To me they look like a beautiful, elegant solution to the right hand smash. I gotta go find out what the fine is for driving into it....

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http://bikeportland.org/2008/03/15/f...y-green-space/

[KnottedYet]

Ooh, cool idea! And it seems like it'd improve pedestrian safety, too. (having the cars back a bit farther from the cross walk)

[tulip]

I've heard some controversy about bike boxes by some cyclists, but it seems like they are good in that they make bike travel lanes (and hopefully bicyclists) more visible to drivers.

[Grog]

There is good stuff happening in Portland. I hope this works.

[GLC1968]

That looks like a really good idea. We just moved to the PDX area last week, and while I consider myself a cyclist and educated about how to ride my bike in traffic...what I'm realizing is that as a driver, I'm less informed. I'm not used to driving with so many cyclists around (in my old city, I was often the only one on a bike!). I was thinking about this as I drove into work this morning. I find myself 'nervous' or at least a bit anxious when I'm in the car and there are bikes around. I don't want to hit anyone (of course) and I'm really not experienced with driving around so many bike lanes. As a driver, I think the boxes would really, really help.

Let's hope I feel the same way after I experience them when I'm on my bike!

I do realize, of course, that the obvious solution to my anxiousness is to get my fat butt out of my car seat and back onto my bike. All in due time...

[MM_QFC!]

Looks great...kudos to Portland for this and razzies to Seattle, being woefully far behind.

The green paint and surfacing is a great idea and I think it'll help all those oh-too-many drivers who are cycling-blind or ignorant or careless; at least it'll raise awareness amongst drivers...I hope it works and grows and heads north to the Seattle area very soon!

[tulip]

I do realize, of course, that the obvious solution to my anxiousness is to get my fat butt out of my car seat and back onto my bike. All in due time...

I was thinking the same thing, but in nicer terms! Once you get familiar with the area, let us know how the (bike) commute goes.

[elk]

That looks like a really good idea. We just moved to the PDX area last week, and while I consider myself a cyclist and educated about how to ride my bike in traffic...what I'm realizing is that as a driver, I'm less informed. I'm not used to driving with so many cyclists around (in my old city, I was often the only one on a bike!). I was thinking about this as I drove into work this morning. I find myself 'nervous' or at least a bit anxious when I'm in the car and there are bikes around. I don't want to hit anyone (of course) and I'm really not experienced with driving around so many bike lanes. As a driver, I think the boxes would really, really help.

Let's hope I feel the same way after I experience them when I'm on my bike!

I do realize, of course, that the obvious solution to my anxiousness is to get my fat butt out of my car seat and back onto my bike. All in due time...

WOW! You really made it out here!! You'll have to change your avatar now... Where are you working...commuting from Hillsboro...you can take the max part way?

[GLC1968]

Elk - I have NO excuse. We are renting a place in Hillsboro...and I work in Hillsboro! I have a few minor reasons for not yet commuting (learning my work schedule, finding my fenders, etc), but none of them truly hold water. I'm just procrastinating.

My drive is less than 4 minutes...I can't imagine that my bike ride would be a whole lot more! (to be fair, I do drive a Prius, so I'm more guilt ridden on the 'fat butt' part than on the gas consumption).

[blueskies]

That looks like a really good idea. We just moved to the PDX area last week, and while I consider myself a cyclist and educated about how to ride my bike in traffic...what I'm realizing is that as a driver, I'm less informed. I'm not used to driving with so many cyclists around (in my old city, I was often the only one on a bike!). I was thinking about this as I drove into work this morning. I find myself 'nervous' or at least a bit anxious when I'm in the car and there are bikes around. I don't want to hit anyone (of course) and I'm really not experienced with driving around so many bike lanes. As a driver, I think the boxes would really, really help.

One of the most important things that drivers can do is to get in the habit of checking their rearview mirrors before turning right. Many drivers aren't expecting anything to come up behind them on the right when waiting to turn, and just don't have the habit of checking. Many right-hooks happen that way. Also, it really helps cyclists when drivers use their turn signals. It helps so much to have a warning about where the cars are likely to be heading.

And on a completely unrelated note, if you haven't got it already, you need the Bike There! map put out by Metro. Most all the bike shops have it. Super helpful for planning rides in the pdx area.

You can also download an overlay of the Bike There! map for google earth, which goes further out into the rural areas than the paper map, and lets you see hills:

http://www.metro-region.org/index.cf...y.web/id=15341