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Biking across the Longfellow today
By adamg on Thu, 02/11/2016 - 10:21pm
The Boston Cyclists Union did this video today on the first day the new sidewalk was open to bicycles on the Longfellow.
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Comments
Well
I look forward to that being covered by snow and ice in the winter and strewn with meanderthals in the summer. Sigh.
Meanderthals!
I love it! Perfect!
There are other routes, though - like the MIT bridge, or the Northpoint Route.
Oh god...Northpoint route
I biked that route for several years. Lechmere to/from North Station at rush hour was...how shall we say...exhilarating!
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
It's a somewhat circuitous route that, despite being (partially) signed "no pedestrians" is bound to be swarming with people posing for skyline selfies.
It seems fairly narrow for two-way bike traffic, and doesn't seem to have the best visibility, particularly coming out on the Boston end. It also doesn't appear to be integrated into the traffic signal, meaning cyclists will just have to guess whether or not a car will come flying around the corner.
So
Use the regular street lanes then if you don't like the special facilities your lobby demanded and were paid for with highway funds.
I would feel a lot more
I would feel a lot more comfortable using the general purpose lanes if drivers would actually respect my right to do so.
There also is no regular lane
There also is no regular lane from Boston to Cambridge. The sidewalk is the only route for bicyclists.
If the sidewalk is being used
If the sidewalk is being used for bicycles and it has a no pedestrians sign then where are the pedestrians supposed to go ? Wouldn't it be better to just put a marked right side path for bicycles like usual and keep the sidewalk for pedestrians like usual ? Biking around pedestrians is a recipe for disaster. And it seems like there is only one which means it will be 2-way for bikes which is also disastrous.
Also: what is the fast motion in that video supposed to add and/or detract ? I can't tell if the video was meant as a joke or not. I expected to see Buster Keaton there.
pedestrians
Pedestrians continue to use the downstream sidewalk, that was previously shared with bikers.
it was supposed to make the
it was supposed to make the video shorter.
Pedestrian already have a
Pedestrian already have a sidewalk on the other side of the bridge.
Whether or not they'll stick to it though is another question.
So...
Just like how bicyclists stick to walking their bikes over the bridge from Charles to Kendall as posted?
The "walk bikes" signs that
The "walk bikes" signs that were there were not mandatory nor legally enforceable. They were merely a suggestion.
Hey, St. Velopedia with the Meanderthal Comment
At 3:06 the operator clearly does not signal that they are banging a uie at the intersection of Broadway and Third.
You want people to obey the rules, then look in the mirror.
Ohnoes, a cyclist does not
Ohnoes, a cyclist does not SIGNAL to an empty roadway! This is a travesty, call the news! Ban all cyclists! Discredit their concerns! Hang them by their balls!
(But it's totally OK for drivers to NEVER use their signals and very frequently to run red lights at busy intersections and cause near-accidents)
Boston drivers complaining about people not obeying the rules is like car dealers complaining of unfair sales tactics.
Ok
And almost 0% of the cars at 0:00 are using their signals at Charles Circle to indicate if if they're going left to Cambridge St.. And two cars failed to come to a complete stop at the stop sign at 3:09.
In other words, nearly every car you can see clearly in the video is violating a traffic law.
Wow
Using the reply feature on an internet forum is pretty challenging, huh.
But I'm sure you've never, ever, ever broken a single speed limit while driving or changed lanes without signaling. You want people to obey the rules, look in the mirror.
You poor little bunny
He does signal, actually. You can't see it so it doesn't exist? Watch as his hand leaves the handlebars.
That's a lot more times than a typical motorist in the area bothers to use their blinkers - and they don't even need to keep a hand up to accomplish that!
You really are a special bunny. I recommend a special treatment for the butthurt, just for YOU!
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Wait ! ! ! ! Even More ! ! ! !
It feels great doesn't it. How do you keep a grip on the handlebars with the ever recurring case of stigmata you seem to have?
Cyclists are not required to
Cyclists are not required to signal if they feel they need to keep their hands on the handlebars.
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter85/Sect...
the bicycle operator shall signal by either hand his intention to stop or turn; provided, however, that signals need not be made continuously and shall not be made when the use of both hands is necessary for the safe operation of the bicycle,