Category Archives: Bike lanes

The “Dutch Reach”

Posted on February 3, 2017 by jsallen

I have sent the following message to Dr. Michael Charney, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, promoter of the “Dutch Reach”. The “Dutch Reach” is motorists’ opening the driver’s side door with the opposite hand, so they must look back for bicyclists riding … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling, Bike lanes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Boston expert design

Posted on September 21, 2016 by jsallen

Here’s a video of the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and St. Mary Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, an example of the design expertise which earns Boston its place with the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle Friendly City. The video … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycle facilities, Bicycling, Bike box, Bike lanes, Traffic Signals | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Ogden, Utah skateboarder stop

Posted on July 24, 2015 by jsallen

There’s plenty of confusion to go around here. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=35631391 Deputy: “I don’t care, you’re right in the middle of the road.” No, the boarder was on the shoulder, at least in the part of the video the TV station broadcast. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycle facilities, Bicycling, Bike lanes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Change lanes in a roundabout?

Posted on June 10, 2015 by jsallen

Ohio cyclist Patricia Kovacs posted an e-mail asking some questions about roundabouts: Ohio engineers are telling us to use the inner lane for left turns and U turns. Both the FHWA [Federal Highway Administration] and videos available on our local … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling, Bike lanes, Roundabouts, traffic circles, Traffic Signals | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Translation of complete paper on German bikeways 1897-1940

Posted on May 14, 2015 by jsallen

I’ve prepared a full translation of the important paper by Dr. Volker Briese of the University of Paderborn in Germany about the history of German bikeways from 1897 through the start of World War II. This has previously been available … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycle facilities, Bike lanes, Crashes, Cycle tracks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When slow is too fast

Posted on February 26, 2015 by jsallen

The basic speed limit, not to go too fast under the existing conditions, is often lower than the posted speed limit. When facilities like the bike lane in the video are built in which 10 mph, or even 5 mph, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling, Bike lanes | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Truck side skirts: reliable way to prevent cyclist fatalities?

Posted on July 28, 2013 by jsallen

No, not reliable, though some are better than others. Some are also supposed to confer an aerodynamic advantage. Some have a smooth surface which can deflect a cyclist. That is still no guarantee that the cyclist will escape serious injury … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling, Bike lanes, Crashes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

How not to restripe

Posted on March 6, 2013 by jsallen

Gordon Renkes has produced a video showing conditions following restriping at Tamarack Circle in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Here’s a Google overhead view of this rather unusual circular street. Click away the caption balloon to get a better view. You may … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling, Bike lanes, Roundabouts, traffic circles | Leave a comment

Boston Globe: Reality Check Time

Posted on December 1, 2012 by jsallen

The caption with the picture below in the Starts and Stops column of the Metro section of the June 17, 2012 Boston Globe reads: Cyclists stopped for a red light in the “bike box” on Commonwealth Avenue in the Back … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycle facilities, Bicycling, Bike box, Bike lanes, Traffic Signals | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A ride on Comm Ave., Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Posted on June 15, 2012 by jsallen

 Comm Ave. Boston: Kenmore Square, Mass Ave. underpass from John Allen on Vimeo. This is a 4-minute continuous video of a bicycle ride in Boston, eastbound on Commonwealth Avenue through Kenmore Square, to and through the underpass at Massachusetts … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycle facilities, Bicycling, Bike box, Bike lanes, Cycle tracks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments