[Updated] Event on Hawthorne Bridge tonight will encourage a "calm commute"
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on September 21st, 2009 at 3:27 pm
(Photo © J. Maus)
In response to bike congestion on the Hawthorne Bridge -- which was flung into the spotlight back in May when two bikes collided resulting in a crash on the steel deck -- the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition will be on the bridge for this evening's commute to offer a gentle reminder to slow down.
To make the message stick, organizers plan to appeal to all five senses. The BTA's Steph Noll says the event will be "half street theater, half BurmaShave sign campaign with messages promoting calm, safe, considerate behavior on the bridge’s shared bike/ped path."
Here's what you'll see on the signs as you pedal east over the bridge tonight:
Sign #1: Use all 5 senses for a Calm Commute.
#2 LISTEN and Relax
#3 FEEL good and Relax
#4 Slow and SMELL the Flowers
#5 The calming TASTE of Chamomile
#6 SEE Eye to Eye
In addition to smiling sign holders, there will also be people playing various roles to complete the visuals. Plans are for someone to play relaxing harp music, practice yoga, place flowers along the bridge, drink fancy tea, and so on.
The event is part of the BTA's ongoing "Eye to Eye" campaign and is slated to go from 5:00 until 6:15. Chime in with a comment if you ride by it tonight.
UPDATE: I rolled by the event and snapped some photos of the advocates in action (and of the amazing bike traffic!).
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Yes. Chamomile and yoga. That will win over the get-there-faster types.
Recommendedwhy not add someone doing yoga on the path to all the congestion already? Really BTA?
RecommendedUgh.
As if it is not congested enough, now we get to wade through this nonsense.
Hopefully this is tame enough to not be chastised by Ms. Blue?
If not, feel free to swap 'Ugh' for 'Yay' and 'nonsense' for 'much needed civility empowerment lectures'.
RecommendedMethinks the commenters do protest too much.
Given the fact that they haven't seen how the activities will be placed. (Out of the way of the walking/riding area, from what I've heard.)
I know it's a stretch to ask Portlanders to be courteous on the road (please note the sardonic lilt). Perhaps, though, our fellow walk- & bike-commuters will be more pleasant than our blog-readers.
Recommended"Someone" to play the harp!? Who else but the bicycling street harpist! She's everywhere!
RecommendedShould be fun, looking forward to it!
RecommendedIf this involves mimes, it could get unpleasant...
RecommendedIt sounds kind of corny to me, but then, I guess you never know what will work on people until you try it. The best cyclist-calm-thyself reminder I've gotten recently, one morning when I was running exceptionally late and zooming downtown as fast as I could manage, was a bike-commuting lesson going on right in front of me on the Hawthorne at 8:20 am. It took me a minute to figure out what I was looking at, mostly because I was frantically checking my watch and wishing I could pass, but it eventually dawned on me that I was seeing one happy, confident cyclist giving calm and helpful directions over his shoulder, and one nervous, wobbly cyclist nodding and working to keep up. Presto! Commute lesson! And when they made it over the bridge, across the car lanes with appropriate signaling and spacing, and left onto 1st Ave., I was astonished to find myself proud of them instead of annoyed at the delay. But nobody in their right mind would expect two slow bikes riding together on the Hawthorne at rush hour to make anyone's riding experience better.
I shall put on my best streamers and ride by this evening to see how it goes. And I wouldn't say no to a fancy cuppa, if they're sharing.
RecommendedAs long as it distracts me in the middle of trying to negotiate a 3-wide bicycle gab fest/road block, everything should be all warm and awesomey.
RecommendedI hope they dress in wacky costumes. It ain't bike culture if it don't got wacky costumes.
RecommendedSounds stupid. Just pass on the left, ride on the right.
RecommendedI like the idea. The Hawthorn bridge is a probelm area with Portland's "competetive bike commuters."
Recommendedhere is my idea of courtesy
Recommended-------> Slower traffic keep right.
Great idea. It's creative and it will make some of us stop and think.
RecommendedOK, doubters, cynics and "better thans": if you already have mastered the true path of bridge cycling, remember this is to remind the less fortunate that orderly, peaceful bridge crossing is possible and can be done efficiently with a little care. Wish I could be there, and I'll raise a glass for all of you.
Recommendedpat h and Duncan,
I think you miss the point. During rush hour it's not safe for passers, passees, or pedestrians for the slower riders to be weaving in and out of the "left lane."
People on the bridge when it is busy simply need to CHILL OUT. Other than increased capacity (not any time soon) this is really all I think can be done.
RecommendedThe snarky attitudes exhibited here -- and elsewhere -- by experienced bike commuters may be a big part of why more people don't take up bike commuting. How many of those "competitive" commuters aren't actually racers, but simply experienced transportational bicyclists who'd rather not bother with newcomers at all, preferring instead to keep the bike lanes and the streets to themselves?
How many experienced commuters (with, say 20+ or 30+ years experience, as I have) feel that they've "paid their dues" and that the rest of the world can either get with the program in a hurry or stay off the roads?
When the experienced participants in any activity behave less like ambassadors and teachers and more like an "in-crowd", it certainly sends a message to would-be newcomers that they're not entirely welcome. Is this really what we want?
I've got to say that so far the racing community has shown far more kindness, patience and geniune welcome to me as a first-year racer than many experienced bike commuters would show to new commuters.
RecommendedBeth-
I am not trying to be an in crowd- I am a person with things to do, a life to lead and biking is in fact a means to an end (ie home) that I desire. I do not weave but would rather that SLOWER TRAFFIC STAY RIGHT, and that goes double for pedestrians walking 5 abreast at rush hour. Your speed isnt my speed, and if you are going faster I will stay right for you too.
I just think that the answers isnt that we all go the speed of the slowest chain-smoking, fixie-riding hipster on the bridge. And while yes asshole passers can be a problem so can asshole lane-hogging slowpokes.
There is some room for improvements on both ends of the spectrum here- I am just sick of the self-satisfied tude of the slow-bike movement.
RecommendedCommuting is the problem! Abolish work!
RecommendedNo work no work!
RecommendedThe message, I like, but I found the little display distracting at an intersection where you are already trying to pay attention to multiple things going on. The gentleman jogging in the street, IN the bike lane didn't help either. I don't know what his deal was?!
RecommendedDuncan,
No one's saying you need to ride behind someone the whole way home... it's pretty safe to pass them once we merge back on the street.
Do you run red lights to save 30 seconds? Passing people during rush hour on the bridge can be just as sketchy and we're talking about the same amount of time.
Riding across the bridge at a slower speed can be calming and enjoyable... step out of your rush and glance around.
Recommendedcareful entering this bridge, i was on the city side Sat and cars fly getting on!
Joe
RecommendedRide your own ride Tony... just ride it to the right of mine.
RecommendedMight as well hand a flower to the guy gunning the engine of his big honkin' pickup truck in the lane behind me downtown. Same personality, different wheels.
RecommendedOkay, so this is just a community service right? The BTA, and the WPC, aren't promoting their agenda, right? I mean, this isn't publicity for them, right? It's all about warm feelings, and yoga? Certainly not advertising for new members or anything, right?
In principle, I find this offensive. To me this trivializes the need to find a real solution to congestion on this bridge. The idea that delivering a message of civility will do anything but act as an advertising platform for the BTA is preposterous. And I'm the one eating it over being disingenuous?
I too would like to not be censored. I would appreciate the opportunity to say exactly whatever it is the editors of this blog would like me to say, prior to being censored. Or you could just censor me.
RecommendedI wonder if at lease part of the issue here is that cyclists don't think of themselves as traffic on the bridge or in other high-traffic/limited-space areas. Hence, the weaving, stopping and constant looking around that I see from so many riders. I would prefer that we reinforce and/or more clearly mark the pedestrian side vs. the Bike side and that cyclists stick to the faster-on-the-left concept.
Recommended+ 1 Dan
RecommendedI keep hearing of this heavy handed editing but have yet to feel the weight of the editorial pen- and it isnt like I have pulled any punches here.
RecommendedThere should be no passing on the bridge, period.
RecommendedWell, I for one just take another bridge, or leave work a little early (a prize for arriving early -- again ahead of the rush)or hang out somewhere until traffic dies. Not only can I not ride fast enough for some, I find that I don't enjoy the company of frantic rush hour vehicle traffic either. Those people feel so secure in their metal boxes that I don't want to get close to their chaotic, split second movements.
So aside of civility, you can all solve your problems by staggering your commute, or telecommuting if that could be at all a possibility. A new, wider bridge isn't coming anytime soon.
RecommendedI completely disagree with some of the comments here. In a limited space scenario, with pedestrians present, it is best for all riders to remain on the left side of the pathway. Just like weaving in and out of parked cars, weaving in and around pedestrians is unsafe. This stretch of path is so short, I think it's ridiculous not to simply slow down and wait. In the event someone is going really slow, and very light to non-existent traffic is ahead, then the very least one should do is ring their bell, slow down, and wait patiently for the other rider to leave room for you to pass. And if they don't move over, don't pass! Passing on the right is always more dangerous. If you really want to be a hotrod, use another bridge. When I'm in a hurry I use the Burnside where I can move into traffic to pass other cyclists. I realize that's less convenient for some, but really, is your time and speed that much more important than the comfort of others around you?
RecommendedJust keep refusing to address the issue I presented, Duncan...
RecommendedThe lane is wide enough for 2 bikes and safe passing if pedestrians stay on the right side.
RecommendedHow was the event? I'm still at work so I missed the whole thing.
RecommendedI liked passing by the lady playing the harp. Didn't hear the music though because of the car traffic. Maybe use an amplifier next time. The flowers on the bridge were a nice touch. It was the best rush-hour bike commute I ever experienced on that bridge. There wasn't any impatient bicycling speedster tailgating me. Must have worked. Thanks to all who put this together!
RecommendedI keep addressing it Tony- you just do not like my answer. If you want to go slow and take your time then get off your bike and walk with the pedestrians.
Kww- I think that this "as slow as the slowest" mentality defeats the advantage of biking over walking- the ability to move at a speed (say 15-20MPH) that makes getting from the urban core to our homes in a reasonable time possible. If we all go as slow as the slowest, then pretty soon people are gonna get sick of it and get back in their cars.
I am not the fastest person on the bridge- I get passed plenty, I just dont have the attitude that some folks have that "my" speed is the right one. I have ended up behind someone who willing takes a position that blocks my passing despite their being plenty of room for them to fade right.
My answer to the Issue-
Delineate a pedestrian section, make the ped walkway one way like the bikes to prevent passing.
Divide the remaining path into two bike lanes, the one closest to the peds slower then the one closest to the road.
Encourage mirror passing etiquette.
problem solved- you can have your pleasure cruise and I can get home in time for supper.
RecommendedThank you for the chamomile tea. Work was stressful today.
RecommendedMaybe I missed it at 5:55 when I buzzed by. I saw a sign holder at both ends, and one walking the middle. There was no congestion, per-say, no yoga, and no big deal. Nothing to complain about.
Fly all the signs you want. Just don't hold up traffic in an attempt to clear it up. I'd pick better ambassadors too, the young fella at the west end was pretty obnoxious. I especially loved the congregation of a half-dozen or so Visa-Bikers standing right at the intersection of the Esplanade feeder, and the bridge. They blocked visibility for a hundred yards up the path, and anybody entering it from the Esplanade. Now that's community!
RecommendedSlow cars get tickets too.
Recommendedfwiw I don't prefer to go slow, I just feel that, on this particular stretch of the "roadway" that, when there's enough bikes and people, it's usually not safe for the faster riders to expect the slower riders to pull over... they just end up acting erratically when they pull back into the lane.
You're setting up some straw man who is proposing that we all ride behind the slowest riders all the time. We're talking about a half mile at a slightly slower speed.
Maybe I'm too empathetic, but I think it's stressful for the slower riders to have to feel like they have to swerve in and out or else be tailgated by the faster people.
I also think it's kinda crazy that this is a big issue to people (slowing down *sometimes*)... it's actually not very often (in my exp both ways each day between 8-9 5-6:30) that the bridge is too crowded for safe passing, but it's usually those times that I get passed while trying not to be a jerk.
RecommendedWhat's a "Visa-Biker"?
RecommendedI spent some time on the bridge this evening.
I was glad to see people with smiles sharing the path and a bit concerned with the young men thinking it just fine to pass on the right and left.
20 mph on the hawthorne bridge during rush hour -- dream on....
Recommendedyo Duncan whyncha just ride the deck
RecommendedLess than half a mile. Less than a quarter mile, even. About 90 seconds to cross at a leisurely 10 mph. A peloton tearing across at 25 mph wouldn't save a whole minute.
RecommendedI thought it was great. I crossed the bridge shortly after 5:30, along with dozens of other riders, none of whom seemed to be the least bit inconvenienced by the event and most of whom seemed to find some pleasure in it. I commute by bike not only because it is good for the environment and cheaper than driving, but also because I enjoy being able to live at a pace at which I can notice and appreciate the world that surrounds me. And that includes cool people who play the harp at on-ramps, and place flowers on bridge railings that the speed racers may never see. So go on speedsters and pass me as I take time to enjoy the sights. I'll give you plenty of room to do your thing, if you give me the same.
RecommendedIt put a smile on my face! Slow on the Hawthorne is good.
thanks!
RecommendedVance, it had nothing to do with promoting BTA or any organization. I chanced by it on my way home and there was no way to tell who was doing it -- looked like a lot of hippies to me :-). The only way I knew BTA was involved was to come here in the evening.
I'm a slow rider and move to the right when practical. During rush hour, it often isn't practical. It doesn't matter how stressed the fast riders get, it just isn't generally safe to pass on that bridge in rush hour. I really wish they'd make pedestrian traffic one way on that bridge. I think that would help a lot.
RecommendedI'm appalled at some of the reactions to this action as perceived inconvenience. Chances are, if you're activated by this, if you're really frustrated by this action, you are exactly the intended audience.
That may not speak well for the effectiveness of this action, but certainly the BTA and the WPC are being creative here. We can advocate for more space, more bridges and such all we want, but until they are built, this is a wonderfully creative solution.
I think cyclists need to take the lead in understanding and accommodating other vulnerable road users. Slowing down is about more than inconvenience, it could mean the difference between life or death. And you know what? Your rush is just not worth it.
Cyclists feel this way about cars frequently, now try on a new pair of shoes and cross the Hawthorne bridge as a pedestrian during rush hour. It's horrifying, and that's unfortunately due to the lack of appropriate allocation of road space for active transportation.
Until we get a full lane on that bridge, we'll have to mitigate this congestion by slowing down, remaining calm, and being polite. Anything less brings the entire bike community down with it.
RecommendedPeople walking their sketchy dogs on 6ft+ of leash is also pretty scary on ANY bridge.
I hate going slow, but I won't pass if I think it's dangerous to do so. I'll usually just put along behind the pokes and try to determine if they are old or out of shape - perhaps they just like going slow, who knows.
Everyone has a cadence and speed they are used to and comfortable with, mine just happens to be faster than most but is by no means the fastest.
Do I think everyone should go as fast as I do? If they can that'd be awesome, but I know it's not practical. Some people aren't comfortable going that speed.
There are also those that don't feel like they are getting anywhere unless they are passing people, and those are the ones you have to be the most wary of, for they drive that way too.
Recommendedhey are-
why dont you just stay right?
Just as easy.
RecommendedWell, its readily apparent how well the warm and fuzzy "lets regulate ourselves" has gone. Just another tragedy of the commons. Pass an ordinance. Make it a violation to go over 10 mph on this particular shared path. Put up a speed radar reminder for a few days to remind those that don't get it, then pass out $500 tickets to them when they still don't get it.
RecommendedI love that Duncan assumes everyone who disagrees with him is a slowpoke granny or something. I'm no Tour de France winner, but I can haul ass when I need to.
Duncan, think what you like, but you're not actually engaging peoples concerns on here, you're not "hearing" what people are "saying." That's giving you the benefit of the doubt, you just might not care.
RecommendedNo Tony
RecommendedYou are engaging in the classic Portland passive aggressive mindset of "if you don't agree with me you aren't hearing me". I hear what you are saying, I just think that there are better options than all slowing down to the slowest person (whether that is you or someone else I do not care.) I don't want to hold hands or sing kumbaya over the bridge. If someone is faster than I am I will (happily, gladly joyfully) get over as soon as possible, and I would hope that you would do the same when the position are reversed. I have just had enough slow assed fixie noobs taking up the whole bike lane, or pedestrians walking five abreast that I am sick of giving way or poking over the hill. I think that separating the pedestrian from the bike lanes and splitting the bike into a fast and slow lane is a perfectly valid option, as do other people on this thread- you instead fall back on insulting me personally because you will not engage in a argument about the relative merits of any view but your own.
We need to be reminded about what is just plain old common courtesy? Sounds like Portland isn't so "special" after all.
RecommendedSaw the folks on the bridge tonight. At first I thought they were part of the No CRC crowd. Admirable thought but I thought the execution was a little dangerous. They were blocking traffic at the turn down to the esplanade.
Cheers
Recommendedhey, Duncan.
I very much (and I mean "very much") doubt that I am among the people you are having a problem with. I will fade right as appropriate if some idiot insists on biking through at a speed that is probably inappropriate to the situation, but when I am biking from point "a" to point "b," I am usually running at a pretty good clip.
My point (which I guess was lost on you because you are "not hearing" me) is that the sidepath over the Hawthorne bridge is, um, a sidepath -- in this case, a sidepath that is shared with pedestrians and with recreational cyclists, among others.
If you accept that cyclists should be relegated to sidepaths (i.e., if you are unwilling to ride the deck), then you gotta behave like the sidepathers do and take your speed down a few notches.
If you do not accept that cyclists should be relegated to sidepaths, the effective course is not to knock over a bunch of pedestrians and recreational cyclists on the bridge, but to insist on your right to a space on the deck.
Oh, and actually, Duncan, if I am traveling on the sidepath at a speed that is appropriate to the situation, it is not "just as easy" for me to fade right every time some idiot wants to plow through. Just as I will hold my space in a traffic lane when a motorist wants to crowd by, and make him wait his turn, if the situation on the bridge requires it I will stay left until it is safe to move right, and you can just wait a second and consider whether you really want to be using a sidepath in the first instance.
Recommendedduncan,
I don't see where I insulted you, but I'm not trying to make this personal.
I, too, think that they should stripe the whole bridge, but I don't think (as others do) there is room for 3 lanes at peak traffic times. I don't know what bridge you are on, but generally it is really not that bad. I encounter 3+ abreast walkers once or twice a week, and "slow assed fixie newbs" are usually more a concern when they are trying to pass me unsafely.
You are obviously frustrated with traffic and that's unfortunate, I find that, except for on the very worst days, my commute is relaxing (and I don't mean to say I am on a "pleasure cruise"). When you say you're "sick of giving way," I interpret that as an unwillingness to cooperate or compromise. I'd imagine you're not really this adamant about not being inconvenienced, but the regular refrain of "move to the right" didn't seem to be full participation in the discussion here.
Bring on the paint and signs! If this is how it is with 20 feet of path for both ways mixed traffic, I can't wait until the Morrison re-opens with 15 feet for both ways mixed!
Recommended[...] Read the rest of the article here [...]
Recommendedthis was an annoying event with the participants dangerously thrusting their signs in cyclists' faces.
it's past time to get the cyclists off the sidewalk and give them a lane in each direction on the roadway.
or make the sidewalks one way for pedestrians too, westbound on the south sidewalk, eastbound on the north sidewalk.
RecommendedAnyone super-irritated with riding over the Hawthorne must have a pretty short commute. The bridge is a very small percentage of my commute, and it doesn't seem worth the guff. Sure, I want to get over it as fast as I can, but in a world where people ride mountain bikes with low seat heights, or monstrosities called "townies" what can you do? In fact, the last time I rode over the Hawthorne, a woman walking down the middle of my lane told me "you should be in the bike lane!" Just factor in a few extra minutes... or make up the time on the road where you don't have the congestion. I think the BTA's time is better spent creating the bike boulevards, but if they think they can cut down on the stupid, more power to them.
RecommendedIf you want to road rage, you should drive a car.
RecommendedThe lowest risk solution is for riders to stay left unless there's a nice long pedestrian free gap. If there is such a gap, it's civilized to move right. If there's not a long enough gap as perceived by the slower rider should stay left.
While it we all want to go our speed, it would be fantastic if fast riders could chill out and riders who are capable of riding faster who are rolling at a super-casual pace could just inch up their speed... just a little.
We essentially have a single lane with pull-outs, like 26 heading to Mt Hood.
Recommended#48 - Hence my other comment there.
I like BURRs idea. Always have. Technically, the rules on the bridge sidewalk are the same as they are for all sidewalks. That means walking speeds. I'd rather be in traffic where I belong.
Move the buses off of it, and paint one of your precious bike-lanes if you must. Whatever the treatment it's silly to ban bicycles from the traffic lanes altogether. Some people just sketch on that grating, and that's not a reason to ban those who don't
RecommendedOh Donna, a Visa-Biker is a person whom the only thing, "bike", about them is what they put on their credit-card. I think the French call it, "Poseur", if everything must be European for you all to understand it.
These folks are also often characterized by their insistence upon dictating to others how they may ride a bike, even though they just started riding; and also have a mini-van parked in the garage at home.
RecommendedI thought it was a little odd (the harpist was a bit visually distracting, which *isn't* what is needed for safe commuting), but the flowers were a nice touch and some of the signs did make me pause a moment and consider. The line of bike traffic I was in *did* move a bit slower... and while a line of 7 cyclists did pass by three of us as soon as they could muster the space, I ended up at the same light some of them did at the bottom of the Hawthorne bridge.
I think it's hard for folks who feel like their bicycle is this amazing tool for independent maneuvering (which it is) to then feel inhibited by the same things that many of us are trying to escape... bumper to bumper rush-hour traffic, constant pumping of the break, etc. But such is the reality of having more bikes on the road, and the need for some clear "rules of the road."
Yes, we can hop curbs, use pedestrian paths, and take advantage of our small size to slip through places no car could ever hope to pass. But it doesn't always mean that we *should* if we're putting others at risk. I've been about 15 minutes behind two recent bike accidents on the Hawthorne bridge strip, and neither was a pretty site.
Thanks for continuing the education, BTA! Won't speak to everyone, but maybe it helped a handful realize maybe it won't kill them to slow down a bit.
RecommendedI love how BURR's solution is to inconvenience pedestrians or motorists. When motorists complain about traffic jams on the interstate do we say "well lets give them another lane"? No, we don't. There's plenty of capacity on the Hawthorne Bridge if people behave themselves. Furthermore, additional bridge capacity is coming online (the Morrison) in the next couple of months. And in a few years there will be another bridge crossing just south of the Hawthorne (the new MAX/cyclist/pedestrian bridge).
So for the next two months, just slow down. Once the Morrison Bridge opens to cyclists the number of bikes on the Hawthorne will go down a bit and you can feel free to go as fast as you want. Or don't slow down, I really don't care. Just don't bitch and moan about how you need an extra lane because you can't go as fast as you wish you could. Everybody not on two wheels already has that problem and I suspect you're not feeling sorry for them.
RecommendedWhen I ride the bridge, I have noticed that I am the only person - in several years of commuting - that actually uses a bell. Most pedestrians get out of the way, although unfortunately it also usually causes the cyclists in front of me to slow down, since obviously noone in this town knows wtf a bell is for.
Get a damn bell, people. And use it. If you are slow, then the person behind you should be signaling in advance that they are going to overtake you.
Ding, ding.
RecommendedI hardly ever get passed on the bridge, but wouldn't mind if it was no passing. Remember, Morrison bridge and the future Trimet bridge will soon be here, so if this is as bad as it gets, thats not so bad.
RecommendedZaph's got it right. And not everyone who passes "are" is an idiot. Move over when you can and if there's space. If you're passing, be patient until the rider in front can move over. Don't pass on the right. Kinda like how almost every rider behaves, already.
RecommendedAre-
So when I get a ticket for traveling on the Hawthorne Bridge when I should be in the bike lane, I will just tell them "some person on the internet said it was OK... no I didnt get their name, they went by "are"... I am so looking forward to that conversation.
I will agree that most interactions on the bridge are of the normal I pass you, you pass me variety, but the moments of sheer stupidity, though fewer, stick in my mind- like the two groups of three-abreast pedestrians meet on the bridge and pass three-wide around each other causing all bike traffic to halt, or the fully geared middle aged commuter biker who is paddling uphill at a canoe-like speed (not a problem) while wandering back and forth across the width of the lane (thus a problem).
It is a shared space, and I am not one to push an unsafe pass, at the same time everytime I say there are unsafe slow bikers I get "your not hearing us" and "just mellow out dude".
Hey I am glad you want to be mellow- biking for me is not about mellow. It is about transportation and working with a dash of mental therapy on the side. Don't be mellowing my harsh- k?
RecommendedIan (#32) - After riding yesterday, I think I agree with you, Ian - I'm going to ride the left from now on if there are pedestrians on the bridge - it's too dangerous to merge back into a line of cyclists while riding up on pedestrians.
Duncan (various) - you're never going to get everyone to ride on the right on the Hawthorne. Many cyclists see those pavement markings and interpret them to mean they shouldn't ride on the right AT ALL, and given recent experiences on that bridge, I'd have to agree with them when pedestrians are present. If it's rush hour on that bridge, I'm going to be riding on the left - everyone else can just deal. You pass when it's safe, and weaving in and out is not safe. We don't do it with parked cars, I don't see why it should be different when dealing with pedestrians.
If you want to average 20mph on your commute home, buy a car, or do it outside of rush hour. 5pm on the Hawthorne is not the appropriate time to emulate time trials.
and in response to #51, why don't you just slow down? Just as easy. We're not talking about the whole commute, just one little bridge - maybe 4-5 blocks. Your convenience is less important than people's safety - end of story.
Disastronaut (#50) - Amen, and some leashes are 12' or more. Many people have no control over their animals.
are (#57) - Very well said, and that really is the heart of the matter.
carless (#68) - you are incorrect, there are two of us. ;-)
ding, ding.
peejay (#70) - I agree, unless it becomes a "weaving" issue. If you pass a ped on the Hawthorne, and there is another ped 100-200' up, stay left, and the people behind need to chill, deal, and slow down. Get over to the right when it's safe to do so. (the rest of this comment isn't directed at you, peejay)
On the road, the rule for safety with motorists and cyclists is whatever the cyclist considers to be safe (the more vulnerable user). I'm sorry, but Duncan is just wrong. There is ample precedent for setting the bar for safety and convenience at the lower, slower level. If you don't like it, take another route, or take another mode.
RecommendedIt is clear the hawthorne bridge path is the wrong width.
The steel bridge path on the eastside esplanade is not as wide, and it manages the flow better. Cyclists go slower, and queue in line. It helps that there are sharp turns on either end of the bridge.
But the hawthorne bridge is very different, and needs to meet other needs. If the bridge were wider, too, that would help. At least Wide enough for one cyclist to pass another, while two pedestrians walk side by side.
Hopefully the morrison bridge path takes the lessons of the hawthorne bridge to heart.
RecommendedBiking for ME is not about mellow. It's really, really important to "save" 2 minutes of MY time. Get out of MY way, you old farts who have never been on the bridge before and you stupid people who wobble. You should not exist. Why does reality keep getting in MY WAY?
RecommendedHow about abiding by the basic rule
811.100 Violation of basic speed rule;
penalty.
(1) A person commits the offense of violating the basic speed rule if the person drives a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to all of the following:
(a) The traffic.
(b) The surface and width of the highway.
(c) The hazard at intersections.
(d) Weather.
(e) Visibility.
(f) Any other conditions then existing.
Basically, ride for the conditions. The conditions on the Hawthorne at rush hour are not conducive to passing or moving at 20mph.
RecommendedA second to all of Matt's (#72) points. Well said.
Please don't let your ego and impatience jeopardize my safety.
Recommended...and put me down as another belldinger. (3 of us, so far) I appreciate Matt P's evaluation and conclusions.
RecommendedHappy riding (and arguing), everyone. Get some sunshine, smile, slow down or hurry, but do it in good faith.
Hey folks... i took photos of the event last night. I've updated the story with a slideshow... and you can see the gallery here.
Recommendedcarless (#68) - you are incorrect, there are two of us. ;-)
ding, ding.
At least four. Biggest, dumbest, loudest beel I could find. I wish I had something that could transmit "on your left, please!" to an iPod.
RecommendedThis is so frustrating. Even your slides show light bicycle traffic.
I strongly opposed the unapproved markings on the sidewalk crossing that bridge. Still though, they clearly state: Bicycles left, pedestrians right. Not bicycles left when you feel like it, and peds right if there is only one or two. Bikes left, peds right. Period. If this isn't practical, get those stupid markings off the sidewalk. If this is our only option, stop with the passing.
I opposed these markings because my previous riding style was to match speeds where practicable, and to stay right when peds weren't present to allow passing. I've seen this style characterized here in comments as, "Weaving back and forth across the lane.". Many in this thread are stating that they do this also, still.
Well, you should have opposed these markings then. 'Cause they're down now, and picking and choosing when you want to obey them is creating an additional problem. I stay on the left as is clearly denoted by the markings. Some in this thread will attempt mind-reading nonetheless, and chock this up to an attempt to block passing traffic. If you are on a bicycle in the pedestrian portion of that sidewalk, you are in the wrong place. According to the signage anyway, and you have to use the ped portion to pass NO MATTER WHAT.
What further blows, is that this is a sidewalk. I'm a ped as much as a bike on that bridge, and maintain a stronger stance regarding ped access, and rights. I'm in conflict with my own needs.
I constantly complain about overly fearful riders, and slow-pokes. And yet even I ride SLOW on this bridge. Furthermore, any pass, even with just two cyclists, is ill advised legally. Passing under the best of conditions likely wouldn't pass the requirements of legality, so passing is out, IMO. Never-mind that you are going to use the ped part to pass, or pass a bike in the ped part, either way.
I don't agree with this at all. If the streets weren't freshly saturated with entitled noobs, we wouldn't be having this problem. Alas, they are, and we are. So, don't pass. No judgment necessary. They even drew you a little picture.
You people who constantly try to call your bell a warning device are equally frustrating. Your bell is not a, "Get out of my way.", button, and your dinging of the thing is only going to compel me to annoy you back. What, precisely, is courteous about passing people on the Hawthorne, bell or no?
RecommendedI'm a newbie commuter in this city, arriving only a few short weeks ago from Boston. I am completely and overwhelmingly thrilled at the cycling infrastructure this city maintains, it's a 180 from what I was familiar with.
RecommendedI totally value my commute and love that it takes me over the Hawthorne. I rode through the event yesterday, it made me smile and left an impression that I brought back to the bridge with this morning. I kept patient and only passed after the slower cyclist in front of me moved over to the right and I gave a verbal heads-up. In the meantime, four cyclists had passed she and I on our right side with no warning at all. (I had rode past them all on the way up to the bridge.) They weren't riding unsafely, in my opinion, there weren't any peds in the immediate area.
That being said, I did feel good about myself and my ride having been a bit more relaxed to pass.
This city is fantastic, I couldn't be a happier biker.
Yeesh, pavement makes everyone such a Sensitive Sally.
I thought the event was interesting, and well-intentioned. Though, conglomerating at the Eastside waterfront offramp and blocking most of the transit path wasn't such a hot idea. But whatever -- I made it by without running any of the sign-wavers over (barely).
As to passing on the bridge, we could all use a little more common (or not-so-common?) courtesy. I'll cop to biking fast -- it's just how I ride. If I ride up behind you, honk, and say "on your left", and you don't feel safe moving over on the bridge, it's not going to ruin my day to have to wait.
Everybody just chill. You'll get where you're going soon enough.
But you kids who like to speed past and THEN squat in the left side of the path? You need a lesson in cyclettiquette...
Recommendedoh the problems of September each year...they will all disappear come October 1 and the subsequent first rain...
RecommendedI appreciate comments from folks who see this as a learning opportunity, a space for growth within our own habits. Cyclists are not an underground subculture here, they are mainstream and we're one of the first cities in America that gets to deal with handling LOTS and LOTS of bikes.
I think it's interesting that folks think the participants were 'blocking' the path, when really, this is a public space and although you might be inconvenienced, the point is that pedestrians may stop, look around, hang out, have a conversation. The Hawthorne Bridge is beautiful, enjoy it! That's what I get from this action. They're asking you to take a few minutes out of your day to enjoy the bridge, the people, and to be considerate.
If you're feeling 'blocked' by pedestrians or other road users, that might be a good time to take a deep breath, maybe stop and take a drink of water, and consider not taking a few minutes of inconvenience seriously.
Folks, cyclists can rewrite the rules of road culture, and this is the place to start. Otherwise, we'll just be a bunch of obnoxious SUV drivers that happen to be on bikes.
RecommendedHallelujah Vance... #80.
The bell is intended as an alert as is "passing on your left."
To certain riders: Screaming at me "on your left" on the Hawthorne, the Sprinwater or the Esplanade when I'm walking, riding or running is NOT my cue to "get out of your way." It's my cue to hold my line and flip you the bird.
Also - NO ONE likes being whizzed by at any speed over 12mph.
Bridge Pedal Speed Demons: - Go walking at rush hour... try not to cringe as "you" go by.
Impatient "jumpers" - Please look to your left behind you for TriMet when the Hawthorne finally spits us off the sidewalk. You're entering the Bus lane heading East... and the drivers dive right for it immediately... someone's going to get squashed choosing that moment to pass - or get the jump on someone in front seeking to pass someone in front of them, and so on...
Sheesh... it's like drivng. Someone had it right earlier... same kind of jerks, different wheels.
Recommended@pdxgene #82 & Vance Longwell: I'd like to note (as someone who was enjoying sharing delicious tea with pedestrians and bikers who chose to stop) that on the east end of the bridge, we were relaxing in the triangle of space that's clearly striped to divide traffic coming on and off the Esplanade access ramp. It is in neither path nor in the path of the bridge sidewalk.
I would go so far as to say that if you're turning onto or off of that T, you shouldn't be going so fast as to worry about running into or over us, as there are often pedestrians on the downhill ramp - and you usually have to stop at the bottom anyway. You can see an photo of our location and of a bicyclist safely passing us here.
Thanks to everyone who put on the event, and everyone who took the time to enjoy it, it was really fun to participate and get so many smiles, bell rings and cheerful greeting- and relax with some delicious relaxing tea. :)
RecommendedRe: this right/left thing, since there are no actual lanes painted on the path, I've always believed it to be more of a guide than a true lane. Personally I stick to the middle of the path trying to be on the right portion of the suggest bike lane. I don't weave and I'll happily stay behind a slow person until there is a safe spot to pass, sometimes even longer if my mind starts to wander.
Re: last night's event, I thought it was a bit silly. The flowers were good, but having people carrying signs not only takes up precious space on the bridge, but its also got to distract drivers who really can't smell the flowers or stop for tea.
RecommendedBecause the bridge is clearly marked: bikes on the left, peds on the right, I stay in the bike lane. If people want to pass me they can pass on the right. Swerving left to right to let faster riders pass is both confusing to pedestrians and cyclists.
RecommendedThere is room for two bikes abreast on the bike portion of the path. Thus there is room to be on the right side of the bike path and leave room on your left.
Beelite- 12MPH is not bike speed it is a goodly jog. If I say on your left I expect you to hold your line and I could give a rats ass if you flip ,me the bird. Free country and all that. Just hold your line and I will be off your ass and on my way.
Recommended#86 - That little quasi-triangle patch with all the lines in it denotes NO EGRESS! Not, "Oh, what a kool place to chat.". I came upon a group like this at five 'til six and gave 'em a nice rear-wheel scoochie. Was that you all? Ya, you had sight lines blocked in two directions, many of you were mounted, you weren't all inside the no-egress barrier, I over-heard two passersby mention that was an ill-advised place to stand; and you guys didn't budge an inch.
Now, compare this to your account. Can you see where some of the hostility I maintain is coming from?
RecommendedDuncan, I'm so with you in spirit here man. Those markings are useless as evidenced by this thread. There are no less than three logical interpretations. They should have never gone down.
Then again, I should have never been banned from the traffic lane here in the first place. Mixing arguably the highest density bike-route in the city, with equal ped numbers? Oi. With that said, and I'd just as soon blow 'em all of into the Willy, isn't it stretching it a bit to say you can safely pass a noob on a bike with both of you in a space less than 36" wide? With all due respect and all.
RecommendedVance: yes. Physically threatening behavior: chicks dig it!
RecommendedVance- as long as they are sober enough to bike a straight line we can pass. Been there, done that.
RecommendedDuncan - 93
Ya, I guess you're right. I make it a point to try and follow rules I don't like. I focus instead on changing them. Fact is, for riders like you and I, you'd likely have to try to interfere with us to give us trouble. I'm being told this is a selfish attitude. I am getting a little lonely in crazy-rant-land. Forgive.
I don't want to hurt anybody. I actually don't mind the burden of ambassador. It get's even harder when I can just ride around you and be done with it. I am trying though.
Esther. C'mon now, I was laying all the way in the poo on that one. You should have just left it. Now you look all sexist. Your presumption I'm motivated in life by adhering to a behavioral mode intended to elicit favor from, eh-hem, chicks, is erroneous. For all you know I'm gay.
Now, with that said there were some seriously hot bikey girls in that bunch, are you coming on to me?
RecommendedSeveral points. First, the idea was for "traffic calming." Are you aware of what that is? For motorized vehicles, its those circular flower pots in the center of roads and speed bumps. So you had to slow down for sign holders. Huzzah. It worked.
Second. When youre on the bridge, you're on a sidewalk - correct me if I'm wrong but on a sidewalk in Oregon means you have to ride with pedestrian traffic. IE Slow.
Third. I know that there's no passing in general on bridges for cars, but do we know if the ordinance says motorized or just vehicle?
Another issue that no one has addressed is the idiots that ride on the wrong side of the bridge. When i first moved here i accidently did that, and upon realizing my mistake, got off and walked. Nearly had TWO head on collisions with cyclists while heading west bound on the bridge yesterday about 4pm.
RecommendedIt isnt a sidewalk- it is a Multi use path- this doesnt mean lowest common speed denominator. The path is seperated into two parts - bikes and peds, so if you are on the peds side yes you are right, however if you are on the bike side I think that the rule of slower traffic keeping right should apply.
Next you can pass on bridges- just not on steel grating, as you are not biking on steel grating the point is moot.
No passing on general bridges? Been on the Burnside, Belmont (before and after the steel decking) Freemont, or Ross island Bridge lately? on all of those bridges cars pass other cars and SLOWER TRAFFIC IS SUPPOSED TO STAY RIGHT.
Recommendedsorry Duncan, not gonna be your lawyer on this one, you gotta fend for yourself. 814.420 says you stay on the sidepath if it is provided, but only if PBoT has certified it "suitable" after a public hearing. the appeals court in Potter says it is your burden to prove they didn't. all that being said, still you are making a choice to be on the sidepath. and once you are on the sidepath you are subject to the realities of being on the sidepath. seems like several of your complaints have to do with sloppy pedestrians. no law anywhere (nor should there be) that says pedestrians can't be sloppy.
Recommendedare
Recommendedthats why i think the sloppy pedestrian section should be separated from the neat bike path.
#89 - 12 MPH = 5 minute mile. Perhaps Usain Bolt can jog at that pace, but that's much faster than most of us could run a mile.
RecommendedI, admittedly, am a speedy cyclist who passes people all the time. I feel like I do so safely, and always sound my bell.
Today was a wake up call though, as I toured my visiting, 59 year old mother around town by bike. It was downright scary having 20 mph bikers fly by us! My mom commented that "their bells are just warnings to start flinching".
I promise to be even more considerate in the future!
RecommendedIf slow riders would move the pluck over, it would help relieve the congestion.
Recommendedbells, whistles, cupcakes and tea. unless this bridge is improved, someone is going to get pancaked after they fall off the sidewalk on that bridge.
is anyone with the city serious about this?
Recommendedhow about the BTA advocating for some real change instead of suggesting that we all just hold hands and sing kumbaya? How about allowing us on the bridge deck if we can hold 20 MPH? make the outer lanes buses and bikes only?
Any other real ideas?
Recommendedall of you speed demons should try walking across the Hawthorne Bridge some time.
RecommendedBurr I walk over the Hawthorne Bridge regularly- and I stay on the ped side never have problems.
Recommended