Buffalo Rising Online

Part (not all) of the problem is the DOT and DPW's feeling that you MUST have a bike lane in both directions. IF you can't fit two... then you build none. This often means that roads like Main Street will receive none. They did increase the width of the sidewalks along main and narrow the travel lanes... which is good for the urbanity of street and I feel will help a lot in strengthening the commercial district but bikes were an after thought.

I would like to see bike lanes taken off the street and put above the curb as a single route for both directions. This is done all across Europe and is a very effective way to fit bike lanes into narrow streets.

Brown and the admin is all talk about the environment, biking and sustainability. Making effective change for any of those goals would mean that a change in the way we do things in Buffalo would have to happen. A change in the way the DPW thinks, a change in the way employees commute, a change in the mentality that Buffalo is nothing but a car centric city. A change in the way we do business and the way businesses in Buffalo do business. He doesn't have the courage to stand up against the people who don't want change.

Thanks to Justin Booth & BfloRising biking in Bflo has come far since the days when I was one of few biking downtown.

It may be time to consider an option for bikers I recently learned about in Mpls, proud to call itself "Second Most Bike Freindly US City (after Portland).

After sometimes guiltily riding short distance on sidewalks in heavy traffic areas, I recently learned that biking is permitted here on sidewalks, except in commercial areas, with courtesy to pedestrians a given, of course.

That change in law in Bflo might reduce safety issues for bikers in some areas on Main Street, while pressuring the city to better consider their needs & rights.

Bike racks on buses continue to be a need in Bflo. In Mpls EVERY bus has a bike rack. And I have rejoiced about their ready availablity twice when unprepared for flats on long rides! More times, if bad weather is factored in . .

Dick Kern

If you get a large enough group of those young cyclists together, then you might stand a chance of seeing more progressive and appropriate street designs. Until then, bikes will still be relegated to the sidewalks and bike trails. You've got to consider the age and background of the people who are planning and running these projects, and the same for the people who are approving them for the city. If you want to see change, then you have to show that enough people care about it to ensure that it happens. I don't see this issue being represented by a large enough group of voters to really make a difference, not when there are other issues to respond to first.

I am not saying that it isn't important or possible, we just need to see this interest group get organized enough to lobby the local government for change. Maybe then we will see something happen.

''I would like to see bike lanes taken off the street and put above the curb as a single route for both directions. This is done all across Europe and is a very effective way to fit bike lanes into narrow streets. ''

do you mean a bicycle lane on the sidewalk? this would be ideal. I don't know about everyone else, but i'm scared as hell to ride in the street. If that means i'm breaking a law or making people mad by being on the sidewalk - so be it.

I can't consider it an empty initiative since this project was planned and funded long before any complete street legislation was passed.. so it probably suffers from timing. An narrowing the street will make life much easier and understandable for everyone using the road.

Anyone remember the old Main Street. No one knew where the lanes were, where to turn or how fast to go or not go. The intersection of Kenmore and Main street was a total mess... College students routinely risked their lives. Now at least they have proper crosswalks and lights that work. And most drivers at least know to look out for them now.

yeah often bike lanes are raised out of the curbed area into separate stripped pathways either adjacent too or on the other side of the planting strip from the sidewalk in Europe.

I brought up the issue about bike lanes, specifically mentioning the University Heights Main St. project to Tim Wanamaker several years ago when this project was first beginning construction. I asked him why bicycle lanes were not a priority in major city roadway projects. His basic response was that Buffalo doesn't have traffic problems (citing D.C., where he came from and traffic is awful) to warrant investing in alternative forms of transportation. He, pretty clearly, had no interest in investing in bikeways or lanes. Its a really sad mentality. Besides, if we did have traffic problems, I really doubt bicycles would be seen as a major solution. The motives for investing in bike infrastructure should be more of an investment in lifestyle, health and environmentally friendliness. Tim is a smart guy, and I know his focus is Economic Development, but I'm not all that upset he's gone.

I have no problems with providing space on roads for bike riders - but if the city is going to allow space - bikers should be forced to have insurance.

A couple weeks ago - a grad student damaged my sideview mirror. Although the fella shared his contact information (name and number) - he could only afford to pay 1/2 of the $600 bill. Guess who paid the rest?

If I had hit that guy on his bike and damaged it - I would have gotten points, my insurance would go up, and I probably would have had to replace his bike.

Bottom line: If bikes want road access - which is fine with me - they must be forced to carry insurance as well.

atypical - I get the idea, and there might be something to it. But what about the 12 year old who also rides bikes? Do they need insurance, or are minors banned from riding in traffic till they're 18?

I called the insurance company and they told me they would go after the grad student's home owners insurance. Since the grad student doesn't own a home and is over 18 - I was SOL.

Regarding minors, I would assume they would be covered by their parents or home owners insurance as well.

Bikes can cause damage to other vehicles, other bikers or people within crosswalks - you see it every day in cities ike Boston and NY - and they should be forced to carry some type of insurance.

Accidents happen.

I rode to work downtown for many years and found the side streets were the safest way to go. West ave downtown and Prospect to Plymouth to Dewitt home. Richmond (before the bike lane) was fair but the circles can be tough. ELMWOOD should be avoided unless you are willing to slow down to a walk. Only show offs and fools fly down Elmwood.

I've ridden extensively in Manhattan and the rest of NYC, and in Buffalo, and I have to agree with bfotk - bike lanes are by no means the end all and be all for cyclists. The most important thing is to follow the rules of the road, be aware of your surroundings, and be appropriately assertive. The only street I've found in Buffalo that I really avoid at all costs is Delaware Avenue between North and Gates Circle, but I actually enjoy riding on Elmwood precisely because it is relatively narrow and that forces cars to travel at a rational speed.

It's clear from the resurgent cycling culture in Buffalo that sharing the road can be done, and since "rush hour" is so short and localized it's easy enough to find safe routes without relying on the existing lanes.

That said, a major arterial route like Main Street should certainly be made as bike friendly - including bike lanes and conveniently located bike racks - as engineeringly possible. And driver and cyclist education should be an ongoing effort for the Buffalo Police Department.

As far as riding on the sidewalk, I really urge those of you who do this to hit the streets. It's definitely safer for pedestrians and it's probably safer for you. One of the keys to riding safely is riding predictably. Drivers are expecting sidewalk traffic to move at walking speed, so if you come whipping along into an intersection or driveway you're going into harm's way.

Indeed Crisa, if people are riding bikes, it must be because they aint got the cash cash money to be ridin' round in one a dem automobiles.

For those interested here is the NYS DOT laws regarding bicycles...http://www.bikeleague.org/action/bikelaws/ny.php

As a commuter (I travel from Tonawanda to Exchange Street most work days) I find the need for bike lanes not as important as the eduction of drivers AND bike riders that would work towards a safer ride for both.

I'll admit the bike lane through the Delaware "S" curve is helpful, but not necessarily safer as evident by the before mentioned debris that collects and "right hooks" I have to avoid from motorists that just have to get on the 198 before I'm completely through the ramp entrance and the idiot cyclists traveling in the lane going the wrong way.

...love the photo taken outside of Founding Fathers the night America won the election!