[SDCBC] YouTube - SoCal Arterials and Lane Splitting videos

[Eric Converse]

I do understand the point of the videos.

The real issue we are trying to address is how to provide facilities that are both perceived as, and actually are safe for bicyclists, to increase bicycle use.

The videos are effective as instructional videos for those (including myself) who ride in traffic every day.  However, using such a video as proof to a non-rider that they can ride in traffic safely will not work.  

If, as rider, you are already willing to deal with the traffic (and risk) then the videos can help you mitigate the danger to yourself, but a vast number of people would never be willing to deal with the traffic in the first place.

It is my experience that bicyle riding, in traffic can be stressful, however riding on a separated bicycle path is a pleasant experience that will get people back on their bikes and out of cars.  See Bogota, Amsterdam, NYC, etc...  This should be the issue!  

>From the by-laws it states, "The purpose of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC) is topromote bicycling as a form of transportation and recreation and toseek safer conditions for cycling countywide."

If we really want to promote bicycling as a form of transportation then bicycle paths are a proven way to do that.

Eric

----- Original Message ----
From: "Jim Baross, Jr." <JimBaross at cox.net>
To: Eric Converse <econver at yahoo.com>; sdcbc <sdcbc at bikesandiego.org>
Cc: Silke Fleischer <sfleisch at adobe.com>
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 7:56:25 PM
Subject: Re: [SDCBC] YouTube - SoCal Arterials and Lane Splitting videos

Eric may be missing the point of the videos?.  

These are intended, as I understand it, as instructional for how one mayride "vehicularly"/legally/effectively on these existingfacilities. Scanning, finding appropriate breaks in traffic, signalling,being where motorists see you, being clear about what you intend to do,etc. 

I don't think it was intended necessarily as a statement about relativevalue between facility types or traffic cultures. Whether we like it ornot, or whether we chose to ride 'em or not, some trips for some peoplerequire using these types of facilities. Knowing how could save some badexperiences. Riding separated bike paths and special one-way for motoristlow traffic facilities is a lot different than bicycling SouthernCalifornia arterials. 

At 04:16 PM 3/28/2008, Eric Converse wrote:
Great videos, but I don't thinkI'd use these as advertising for bicycle use, the lane splitting inparticular looks like a hair raising experience.  

Here are my 10,000 words:

NYC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdwU7G9fupI

Amsterdam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Sgo8kJCBk

Eric

----- Original Message ----
From: Serge Issakov <serge at issakov.org>
To: sdcbc <sdcbc at bikesandiego.org>
Cc: Brian DeSousa <bpd at briandesousa.com>; Dan Gutierrez<Dan.Gutierrez at charter.net>
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 3:07:56 PM
Subject: [SDCBC] YouTube - SoCal Arterials and Lane Splittingvideos


LAB Cycling Instructor Dan Gutierrez has posted more of his and LCI BrianDeSousa's traffic cycling videos on youtube (links are below).

The first is particularly relevant to our recent discussions on this listand demonstrates how to ride on high speed arterials.  These are inthe L.A. area, but they are typical of what we have in SanDiego.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth tenthousand.  Take a few minutes to check these out when you get achance.  FWIW, this is my idea of cycling advocacy.

NOTE:  head turn scans are NOT properly demonstrated in these videosbecause head turning messes with the video (the cameras are attached totheir helmets), so they rely totally on mirror scans, which is frownedupon by most LAB instructors.  Dan and Brian are working on somekind of video equipment setup that won't have this issue.  If youfind yourself gtting annoyed that they are not turning their heads,that's good.

Serge

Bicycle Driving on Southern California Arterials:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1C3qqhW6Aw

Lane Splitting in Laguna Beach, CA:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs4ZqIlur0c


-- 
NOTE: Any opinions expressed above are mine and not necessarily shared byany organization in which I am involved. 


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