http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/01/11/this-is-why-we-need-protected-bicycle-lanes-in-downtown-seattle Comments On: This Is Why We Need Protected Bicycle Lanes in Downtown Seattle by Dominic Holden en-us Copyright 2013 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Tue, 21 May 2013 05:45:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Posted by Mister G]]> Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:16:18 -0800 The Stranger Everyone pays taxes. Every contributes. Everyone should care about out the safety of others. End of story.

@Dominic thank you and so many readers again for caring.
Posted by robbasser]]> Sun, 13 Jan 2013 19:49:43 -0800 The Stranger
Now look at page 14 of the same slide show. It reveals that a city bus causes 850 times the pavement damage as a car does. Semi-trucks, 800 to 1,000 times the damage. Double trailer trucks, almost 3,000 times the damage.

Sidewalks are not part of the road. Crosswalks enable people (and bicycles) to cross the road. Face it, you're a freeloading bicycle jerk who, like all "progressives," is impervious to facts, including the ones you post yourself.
Posted by Mister G]]> Sun, 13 Jan 2013 11:40:23 -0800 The Stranger https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cac…

Not to mention getting more cars off the road helps to ease oil consumption, pollution, and increases health. (Maybe you'd get rid of that pot, and lower your blood pressure if you got on a bicycle once in a while. Also, maybe the veins in your red face and neck wouldn't pop out so much when you're sceaming in your fits of road rage.)

106, Pedestrians do get special lanes, they're called sidewalks. Pedestrians also get crosswalks, dedicated, signals, bridges etc. And, if you think it makes sense to have these things for pedestrians who don't pay gas taxes, then why not have similar accommodations for bicyclists?


Posted by Rob in Baltimore]]> Sun, 13 Jan 2013 07:38:28 -0800 The Stranger not authorized road users.
Posted by Mister G]]> Sat, 12 Jan 2013 19:10:35 -0800 The Stranger Fewer cars means less wear and tear on infrastructure, meaning less maintenance and fewer repairs.

That's simply false. Pavement damage is caused by three factors: The weather, construction (i.e., utility work), and vehicles. When it comes to vehicles, ALL pavement damage is caused by heavy trucks and buses. The smug "progressive" cyclists here and elsewhere refuse to recognize that indisputable fact.

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/newton/ask…

That's right, "progressives," there is no difference between a pedestrian, a bicycle, a motorcycle, a car, an SUV, and a pickup truck when it comes to pavement damage. Dedicated vehicle fees are just another way to raise tax money to maintain and expand the roads, but ONLY big trucks and buses cause pavement damage.

Therefore, if bicyclists want to use the roads, they should be paying the same dedicated use fees assessed on other non-damaging road users. In particular, motorcycles pay $85 a year in King County. This is what bicycles should pay, with a break for children. Until that happens, I consider your please for bicycle infrastructure to be so many "progressive" farts in the wind.
Posted by Mister G]]> Sat, 12 Jan 2013 19:08:08 -0800 The Stranger
Pedestrians get special lanes, designated crosswalks, and traffic signals, etc. and they don't pay gas taxes either.
Posted by Rob in Baltimore]]> Sat, 12 Jan 2013 16:49:56 -0800 The Stranger
@102, typical "progressive" attitude: anyone who's not part of your freeloading interest group is a "troll." Why don't you try paying vehicle taxes, on your bicycle, you whining thief?
Posted by Mister G]]> Sat, 12 Jan 2013 12:10:10 -0800 The Stranger troll with nothing positive to contribute to making bicycling safer, is NOTpart of the bicycling community, and should be ignored by people who want to contribute positive, constructive ideas.

Do Not Feed The Trolls by responding or engaging them, and they will eventually starve or find new feeding grounds.
Posted by ScandalMgr]]> Sat, 12 Jan 2013 11:30:28 -0800 The Stranger Posted by DOUG.]]> Sat, 12 Jan 2013 10:29:10 -0800 The Stranger That 2nd Ave left hand bike "lane" is damn enticing, and damn dangerous. Grr.

If it's so dangerous, then why doesn't the Cascade Bicycle Club and their shithead mayor lobby to eliminate it? Maybe because they are both at war with automobiles, and will do anything to cause gridlock?
Posted by Mister G]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:54:49 -0800 The Stranger

You want to ride your bike on I-5? Please, go right ahead!
Posted by Mister G]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:48:12 -0800 The Stranger I pay more than my fair share of taxes to expect safe riding conditions on the streets of Seattle. Some dedicated paths wouldn't cost that much. I ride and have a car.

You pay road use taxes for your car. This gives you standing to ask for car-related improvements. When you pay road use taxes for your bicycle, you'll have standing to ask for bike-related improvements. Until then, you're a typical Seattle "progressive" freeloader, and fuck you.
Posted by Mister G]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:46:51 -0800 The Stranger Mister G, you are exhibiting Trollish comments, and shame on you for diverting this thread for your own selfish purposes.

A "troll" is anyone the Seattle "progressive" tribe disagrees with.
Posted by Mister G]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:41:34 -0800 The Stranger Sally Clark!

The 2nd Ave downhill bike lane is not safe. Take a regular lane.
Posted by Westlake, son!]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:00:56 -0800 The Stranger Posted by cavecreekgoat]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 21:50:45 -0800 The Stranger I normally have 1 - 3 opportunities to yell at and flip someone off for their neglect of driving laws and goodness to their fellow man. Yes, I actually tell people "fuck you" in person – not just over the internet. It is still possible.
Posted by passerby]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 21:04:09 -0800 The Stranger
I'd happily pay $85 - the same as a motorcycle - to ride my bike.

BUT - I must be allowed to ride everywhere a motorcycle rides. I-5, highway 99, etc. They need to accommodate bicycles as well as motorcycles since we're both paying the same rate. Seems fair, right?

After all, what percentage does the state pay on highways and interstates vs. the streets I'm actually allowed to ride on? Probably 80% or more. I won't be able to ride my bike through that $5 fucking billion dollar tunnel, but motorcycles will.

Therefore, I expect a 80% discount on that $85. (Or whatever the aforementioned percentage actually is - I bet it's significantly higher.)

That's $17. That seems fair, and I would happily pay it. But fuck you if you expect me to pay the same rate as a motorcycle.
Posted by Free Lunch]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:42:51 -0800 The Stranger Posted by gloomy gus]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:28:15 -0800 The Stranger
If anyone cares, I am ok. I ride very defensively and was able to avoid serious injury. Only bruising, scrapes and bicycle damage. The guy that hit me was very kind and apologetic. Even gave me an awkward ride to my home in west Seattle.

Please be safe. And stop beeping assholes.
Posted by robbasser]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:14:15 -0800 The Stranger 1) the quantitative metrics of producing and maintaining an infrastructure on a cost per commuter basis are far lower for all means of transport other than cars.

2) The Bicycle Master Plan funding has not come through is a failing on the part of politicians and organized bicycle lobby groups, and they need to be held to task.

3) Bicyclists need
a) education on defensive skills.
b) to join and donate to the lobby organizations; mention this (while stopped at a light or
stop sign: "join the BAW or CBC or ... club to get better bike infrastructure"
c) to be seen (get more lights) and heard (see this upcoming product:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lans…), and
d) to http://getyourshittogether.org/ before
Mister G's evil troll minions drive you over for being a road parasite.

Mister G, you are exhibiting Trollish comments, and shame on you for diverting this thread for your own selfish purposes.
Posted by ScandalMgr]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:39:55 -0800 The Stranger Posted by meperry64]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:56:46 -0800 The Stranger Posted by meperry64]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:18:21 -0800 The Stranger anything?
Posted by Mister G]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:12:53 -0800 The Stranger Posted by meperry64]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:12:19 -0800 The Stranger