tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post1901112894672286049..comments2024-02-24T05:11:30.646-06:00Comments on The Director's Desk: Share the roadTom Casadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03188041481309059441noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-57774114096973330432014-07-09T11:45:15.248-05:002014-07-09T11:45:15.248-05:00Tom, I just watched one of your firefighters on Ch...Tom, I just watched one of your firefighters on Channel 8, doing an interview. Phil Lewiston was in uniform with a WHITE tee shirt under his uniform??? He looked looked like a COP. Has policy changed? Would have looked better with a blue tee. Check on this.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-57282584540924523072013-07-30T14:11:49.293-05:002013-07-30T14:11:49.293-05:00Tom,
I realize that this a fairly old post, but I...Tom,<br /><br />I realize that this a fairly old post, but I see that you still respond to comments. <br /><br />You stated in your comment on Jan 6, 2012 that you prefer to assert your place in traffic when you have vehicles approaching you from the rear. How do you handle stoplights that have an inductive loop sensor to trip the light? Recently I've been having trouble with such stoplights--cars behaving badly while I've situated the bicycle such that it will be detected (on the right side of the square cut visible on the pavement). Two times in as many weeks I've been waiting at a red light in the right-turn/straight lane as the only vehicle in the lane and have had cars approach me from the rear, pull up beside me and straddle the left turn lane and the right-turn/straight lane. One of the cars drove around me, turning right on red, the other car went straight when the light turned green. How would you handle such a situation? I raised my voice to both drivers and asked "What are you doing? I'm like a car!" and received no reply or simply a blank stare. If I were to stand in the middle of the lane, and hence the middle of the inductive loop, the light would not turn. Any suggestions? (This is in Lincoln, NE)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-85341369538715814472013-07-25T11:44:39.686-05:002013-07-25T11:44:39.686-05:00@Chief - this is what happened to one of my cowork...@Chief - this is what happened to one of my coworkers recently. He was riding and a car trying to run a yellow light on a left turn, turned in front of him and he flipped over the car. He's lucky, no major injuries. Really lucky though.Tarahttp://www.bgmillerlaw.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-63228339528395912682012-01-06T07:49:03.237-06:002012-01-06T07:49:03.237-06:00I.B.C.-
I agree. That's what I practice in th...I.B.C.-<br /><br />I agree. That's what I practice in the right circumstances. See my blog on Monday, as this is what my post will be about. I guess what I mean is this: You can't assume that the guy pulling out from the stop sign sees you, or that the left turning car is going to yield to you, or that the driver exiting the drive won't do so right in front of you. You have to plan accordingly. Pardon me pulling rank, but I've got a lifetime of experience working collisions (mostly motorcycle) in which an automobile driver failed to yield because he simply looked right through the smaller profile of a cycle, and didn't even see it. I also have the personal scars to go along with it. So while riding assertively and taking your place in traffic has its merits, riding defensively and realizing that your visibility profile is weak does too. These are not necessarily mutually exclusive approaches. Asserting your place in traffic is my preferred approach for vehicles approaching from the rear. Assuming my own invisibility for turning vehicles in front of my path and being prepared to act accordingly is my preferred approach for the car that may cross into path in front of me.Tom Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03188041481309059441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-899243195705612912012-01-05T15:22:51.005-06:002012-01-05T15:22:51.005-06:00"a phenomenon all bicyclists and motorcyclist..."a phenomenon all bicyclists and motorcyclists must learn as a matter of self-preservation: you are invisible. Defensive driving, for a cyclist, is an issue of survival."<br /><br />Sorry Chief, but this is nonsense. If a cyclist is invisible, he is dead. The idea that a cyclist can avoid death by cycling defensively is tantamount to telling him to get out of the way of cars - this attitude will get cyclists killed, just as it has in the past. They will ride in the gutter where they're more likely to get hit by passing cars; they will get struck in intersections after cycling in a bike path or on the sidewalk; they will get doored by cycling too far to the right beside parked cars: they will get hit while cycling against traffic because they believe that traffic approaching head-on can be avoided.<br /><br />The best way to avoid collisions on a bicycle is to ride assertively while being as visible as possible: by riding well into the lane so that drivers can see the cyclist easily.Ian Brett Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11144195897514392433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-6341255624803679972011-10-12T19:24:41.129-05:002011-10-12T19:24:41.129-05:00Is is legal for a cyclist to pass vehicles waiting...Is is legal for a cyclist to pass vehicles waiting for a stop sign or traffic signal on the left or right side when it is a single lane.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-38831212528577429942010-11-15T12:06:44.739-06:002010-11-15T12:06:44.739-06:00Get the bikes off the road they are a problem!! T...Get the bikes off the road they are a problem!! Thats why we spent money on the trails.twoweekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470193275393875146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-70406912003271374132009-07-16T10:41:51.668-05:002009-07-16T10:41:51.668-05:00While I agree that motorists need to pay more atte...While I agree that motorists need to pay more attention to cyclists, I have to mention that daily I see cyclists wanting to be treated like a vehicle only when convenient. I almost hit a cyclist that was riding in the car lane on R street last week when the bike lane was open. I daily see cyclists riding in the middle of the lane in downtown, then hopping over the the sidewalk/crosswalk when they hit a red light and crossing against the light. I also NEVER see cyclists being pulled over for these obvious moving violations. If they are the same as other vehicles, should they not be pulled over and ticketed?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-42966608362815875712008-09-07T21:05:00.000-05:002008-09-07T21:05:00.000-05:00Tom, thank you very much for the challenge you ga...Tom, thank you very much for the challenge you gave us at 2600 N 70th street this morning. You did a far better job than what we will do in response. I occasionally pray for you guys as will as our firefighters, and other public servants. Keep up the good work, and may the Lord God bless you richly.Havelock Streethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15551170628306232170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-90060815758190224312008-08-23T11:32:00.000-05:002008-08-23T11:32:00.000-05:00Chief: We are still trying to figure out what hap...Chief: We are still trying to figure out what happened to the daytime downtown bike officers. Any updates??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-78402272127554785772008-08-18T08:51:00.000-05:002008-08-18T08:51:00.000-05:00Can we do something about cyclist on sidewalks and...Can we do something about cyclist on sidewalks and bike trails actually slowing down to cross the intersections if not stopping altogether and properply walking their bikes across? Per city ordinance. <BR/>10.48.130 Right-of-Way.<BR/>(a) The operator of a bicycle emerging from any alley, building, driveway, or road shall,<BR/>upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk space extending across any alleyway, driveway, or<BR/>road, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on said sidewalk or sidewalk space.<BR/>(b) The operator of a bicycle about to enter or cross a street or other public way from a<BR/>sidewalk, sidewalk space, alley, building, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles<BR/>lawfully approaching on said roadway. (Ord. 18776 §5; July 31, 2006: prior Ord. 15649 §13; July<BR/>9, 1990: P.C. §10.64.100: Ord. 10246 §9; September 7, 1971: Ord. 5699 §1510, as amended by Ord. <BR/><BR/>I realize this slows them down but it is difficult as a driver to see those who have the physical ability to zip along at such fast speeds and seem to appear out of no where just as I am ready tp make a right turn. So then you have to think .... a few more minutes to reach my destination or my well being? And yes I do bike on the sidewalks and bike trails. And I walk my bike across major intersections and slow down for all side street ones. If there is a automobile around I take the responsibility to make sure I am seen. I do not expect the drivers to always see me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-80135120506626330272008-08-13T16:12:00.000-05:002008-08-13T16:12:00.000-05:00"You forgot to mention that folks on bikes need to..."You forgot to mention that folks on bikes need to stop for red lights if they are riding in the street. I see too many that disregard this and almost get hit."<BR/><BR/>and drivers need to stop driving while drunk, distracted, speeding, not signaling, running reds, and causing thousands of deaths a year. <BR/><BR/>and that cyclist that runs a red and almost gets hit - that could be a little kid running out into the street to get a ball, or a deer jumping out of the woods... the point is that drivers NEED TO PAY ATTENTION and shouldn't be slamming into things in the first place (i'm not suggesting it's okay for cyclists to run reds either).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-35474093655933664692008-08-11T14:34:00.000-05:002008-08-11T14:34:00.000-05:00Chief - how about joining us on a group ride one o...Chief - how about joining us on a group ride one of these Wednesday nights. 6pm @ the north bridge of hwy2 and s.27th.Adrian Oliverahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00721591129730175021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-58329687677986231792008-08-11T12:09:00.000-05:002008-08-11T12:09:00.000-05:00Chief-What about electric assist bikes that go no ...Chief-<BR/><BR/>What about electric assist bikes that go no more than 15-20MPH without pedaling. Are they legal to ride on the sidewalks? I am looking to buy one but do not feel comfortable riding on the street and most of my riding is bike trail. I also walk by bike across streets when crossing. ThanksMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10780605455927771473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-82540010149950325682008-08-06T15:13:00.000-05:002008-08-06T15:13:00.000-05:00A hypothetical question: If I were walking home f...A hypothetical question: If I were walking home from work yesterday and saw 4 riders in a 2x2 configuration downtown, would they be 'cyclists' or 'POBs' — or is lawfulness immaterial to the distinction? <BR/><BR/>I was unaware of the legality of that before, and I'll probably practice civil disobedience in the future (Sorry, Chief) — but I was wondering how virtuous I would need to be in order to merit the better label over the derisive one.pohlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05831729655618512787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-91953957627676445162008-08-05T11:02:00.000-05:002008-08-05T11:02:00.000-05:00Chief,This post would make a great guest editorial...Chief,<BR/><BR/>This post would make a great guest editorial for the LJS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-32257526055424661972008-08-05T03:02:00.000-05:002008-08-05T03:02:00.000-05:00i'm an avid cyclist (ex racer/now recreational rid...i'm an avid cyclist (ex racer/now recreational rider/commuter 365 days a year) and have been riding in lincoln since '87. i try to lead by example when i'm on the road. i don't blow through lights and i always share the road. i never take over a lane (because i don't feel the need to). please don't confuse cyclists like myself with idiots on bikes. <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Moulton" REL="nofollow">dave moulton</A> came up with a name for them... <A HREF="http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/cyclists-and-pobs.html" REL="nofollow">POBs</A>.c-recordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12550980926382489310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-82245792823888319272008-08-04T12:11:00.000-05:002008-08-04T12:11:00.000-05:00Maybe this has already been stated here, but there...Maybe this has already been stated here, but there are 64 posts and I do not have time to read them all. My issue is when many bicyclist get to a red light, they creep all the way to the front of the line of cars. If we are supposed to treat them like traffic, then they should be stopped behind whatever car is infront of them at the light...Make sense?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-90806709662099562552008-08-02T10:35:00.000-05:002008-08-02T10:35:00.000-05:00Wordpress is also easier to change the look/feel o...Wordpress is also easier to change the look/feel on. My site is wordpress and looks nothing like the standard "blog" (I found a magazine style theme and then made it look the way I wanted to)<BR/><BR/>My biggest issue was that I want certain posts to stay at the top longer, such as my safety tips, and summaries so I can fit more posts on the home page.Adrielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052524880398391073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-81704809555119745882008-08-02T09:23:00.000-05:002008-08-02T09:23:00.000-05:00Thanks, Adriel, I appreciate both the advice and t...Thanks, Adriel, I appreciate both the advice and the offer! Google unlocked me this morning, and I'm back in business. I downloaded wordpress yesterday, and imported my blog to create <A HREF="http://lpd304.wordpress.com" REL="nofollow">this mirror</A> of The Chief's Corner just in case the lock persisted. I haven't kicked the tires on worpress much, but I see some features in wordpress that I like (not to mention the super-easy import from Blogger). The pop-up thumbnail view of hyperlinks is cool. If the blogger-bots get me again, I might have to make the switch. Wordpress makes a pretty nice backup plan.Tom Casadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03188041481309059441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-80140748603741770522008-08-02T09:06:00.000-05:002008-08-02T09:06:00.000-05:00If you continue to have problems with blogspot, I ...If you continue to have problems with blogspot, I can help you install wordpress on a hosting account somewhere.<BR/><BR/>I enjoy your posts and will do this for free.<BR/><BR/>you can contact me through my site:<BR/><BR/>http://austincyclingnews.com/<BR/><BR/>Either leave a comment (they are all moderated and go to my email) or click on about and scroll to the bottom.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for the post, we need more law enforcement that understand the day to day problems cyclists have, especially those of us trying to replace car miles with bike miles.Adrielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052524880398391073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-81941691606110827792008-08-01T22:29:00.000-05:002008-08-01T22:29:00.000-05:00Chief;I would like to thank you very much for the ...Chief;<BR/>I would like to thank you very much for the intelligent candor with which you delivered this writeup. You have covered all the bases and provided a realistic picture of what the roadways are like for each user. I'm sure that Portland's <A HREF="http://bikeportland.org/2008/02/27/guest-article-officer-robert-pickett-on-humility/" REL="nofollow">Officer Picket</A> is proud of you.<BR/>As a lifetime bicycle commuter I've seen just about everything. <BR/>One thing that I would like to add is a habit that I have on most rural roads (two-lane no shoulder). When I see that there's traffic ahead of me, I put out my arm to signal that cars behind me shouldn't pass. When I can see that it's clear up ahead than I motion for them to pass. Most people appreciate this, and a very few people ignore my warnings. It's a good habit to share when your cycling on the road.<BR/><A HREF="http://www.yourbodypower.org" REL="nofollow">read more here</A>Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16105161802971411590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-14391950227613563972008-08-01T17:56:00.000-05:002008-08-01T17:56:00.000-05:00What a great post, chief.What a great post, chief.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-21497098038023767132008-08-01T10:51:00.000-05:002008-08-01T10:51:00.000-05:00Hi Chief,Your post is getting wide circulation and...Hi Chief,<BR/>Your post is getting wide circulation and has reached the west coast already. After all we have been through lately with bike/car confrontations (<BR/>http://arcanius.silverfir.net/blog/critical-mass-collision )and our police department taking the side of motorists almost always it seems, it was quite refreshing. <BR/><BR/>It gives me hope.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15944769464506464990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7225570644228196036.post-54102419282122187122008-08-01T09:55:00.000-05:002008-08-01T09:55:00.000-05:00Wal-Mart sells an awesome Huffy for about $89.00.Wal-Mart sells an awesome Huffy for about $89.00.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com