Thread started by SkeletonKey at 12.13.09 - 11:11 pm

This appeared in the NY Times this weekend:

http://www.nytimes.com/projects/magazine/ideas/2009/#b

Its outlines briefly the bike highway under construction in Copenhagen. It sounds great: No lights, no cars. But, isn't a bike highway still a highway? Would a large bike highway eliminate (in my opinion) the best part of riding a bike: being integrated into your community? However, according to the article, so many people ride bikes in Copenhagen that the bike lanes have reached capacity and it will allow a faster commute. Anyone else have any thoughts, pro or con?


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Also, I should state that I'm PRO this idea. I just have questions.



SkeletonKey
12.13.09 - 11:12 pm

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It sounds great and it would be great to have bike a highway in Los Angeles. In a way we do. I can ride from my town to Long Beach down the LA river in less than 45 minutes, give or take 13 miles one way. Still, at night there are no lights and it can get dangerous with all kinds of rift raft hanging about wanting to cause trouble or steal your bike. When I worked in Long Beach, that was my commute and I avoided all kinds of traffic. I was reading about bike highways in the UK that go up and down all the way. If we had a bike highway in Los Angeles, it would be difficult to keep it bike only. People would get on it to walk, ride gas powered vehicles and some might want to drive on it to save time going to work. Those are the cons. Maybe in Copenhagen things are a bit more sane. The pros would be amazing, such as a way to get from point A to point B with no cars or cross traffic to cause hazards or accidents and getting somewhere much faster as well.



bicicleta_del_demonio
12.13.09 - 11:22 pm

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yeah i was just gonna say, it sounds like the experience might resemble how the river paths currently are. i've never been a fan of beach paths and river paths; i feel they take the fun out of riding, and the paths can be dangerous at times (eg, at night, fewer people around in case of accident, unmaintained road surfaces).

it'll probably be good for commuting but imo there's no other reason to be on a highway (or beach/river bike path).



tfunk408
12.14.09 - 3:17 am

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YEEESSSS BUT IT NEEDS LIGHTS



louisiana
12.14.09 - 12:57 pm

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i'm a little confused. i thought we already had a bike highway.



indigis
12.14.09 - 2:07 pm

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HAHA!



Joe Borfo
responding to a comment by indigis
12.14.09 - 2:08 pm

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http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=2616&v=v



turrican
12.14.09 - 2:53 pm

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