Cyclists push city for better biking

[thelakelander]

Jacksonville trails other cities in bike-friendly streets, a study finds

By LARRY HANNAN, The Times-Union

Candido Huertas used to bike 12 to 13 miles to work while living in Mandarin and working downtown.  I loved to ride my bike to work," said Huertas. "By the time I reached the Main Street bridge, the sun was rising, a spectacular view."

But once he started working at Jacksonville Naval Air Station, the cycling stopped. He lives miles closer to work, but now has to travel the Buckman Bridge and Roosevelt Boulevard. Huertas doesn't feel safe taking those routes on his bicycle and wishes the city would build bicycle-only routes across major bridges, and separate bike lanes on major roads.

And he's not alone. Many avid cyclists - those riding to work and for recreation - would like to see more done, especially while the popularity of bicycling is skyrocketing.

The increased attention being given to bicycling as transportation is partly because of the increase in gas prices, but there are other reasons, said Ed Seitz, manager of Open Road Bicycles in Avondale.

It's also a good way to get in better shape, and riding is fairly inexpensive, Seitz said.

full article: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/062808/met_296826813.shtml

[Lunican]

If you are on a bike I think the only bridges you can even cross are the Main Street and Acosta bridges.

[Lunican]

http://www.youtube.com/v/ONS2ptAR4mo

[Driven1]

good video...worth watching it all.  WAYYYY to progressive for Jax though, IMO.  leadership is still stuck in "4x4 monster truck" mode ideologically I think.

[Seraphs]

If you are on a bike I think the only bridges you can even cross are the Main Street and Acosta bridges.

They are the only ones I dare cross on my bike, however, there are a few dare devils I see on the Mathews.

[thelakelander]

Lately, I've been seeing people walk across the Matthews.  Is really crazy until you consider its impossible for pedestrians and cyclist to get to downtown from Arlington.

[Lunican]

Some cities have added cantilevered sidewalks to existing bridges.

[second_pancake]

A couple weeks ago I did a photoshoot with a marketing firm working with the First Coast MPO for the long range transportation initiative who's focus is on alternatives to cars as transportation.  I'm glad to see the efforts being made, but like Driven said, the mentality here in Jax is just not there.  We really have to change the way people here view pedestrians and cyclists.  The only way to do that is through in-your-face drastic changes....like those sidewalks on the bridges.  Make changes that put the pedestrian and the cyclist at the forefront and the auto-drivers will have no choice but to acknowledge them.

[02roadking]

The only way to do that is through in-your-face drastic changes....like those sidewalks on the bridges.  Make changes that put the pedestrian and the cyclist at the forefront and the auto-drivers will have no choice but to acknowledge them.

The forefront? Like this? LOL
"Who else would get all animated about a simple road marking that gives priority to cyclists at stop lights?"
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/portland-bike-box-video.php

[thelakelander]

Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, NJ looks nice.  I wonder what it will take to get something like this implemented in Jacksonville?

[Seraphs]

Over fifteen years ago while taking a speech class at JU we had to speak on something we were sincere and passionate about.  At that time the talk had begun to build the bike trial to Baldwin.  The whole class agreed I was sincere and believeable about what I was saying.  What's amazing here is no one in the class cared rather this project was built.  I don't understand the way most Jacksonville people think.

Anyway, years later we got the project.                                     

[second_pancake]

The only way to do that is through in-your-face drastic changes....like those sidewalks on the bridges.  Make changes that put the pedestrian and the cyclist at the forefront and the auto-drivers will have no choice but to acknowledge them.

The forefront? Like this? LOL
"Who else would get all animated about a simple road marking that gives priority to cyclists at stop lights?"
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/portland-bike-box-video.php

Ahh, one of my favorite websites   Yes, EXACTLY like that!!!

[second_pancake]

Over fifteen years ago while taking a speech class at JU we had to speak on something we were sincere and passionate about.  At that time the talk had begun to build the bike trial to Baldwin.  The whole class agreed I was sincere and believeable about what I was saying.  What's amazing here is no one in the class cared rather this project was built.  I don't understand the way most Jacksonville people think.

Anyway, years later we got the project.                                     

Unfortunately, it's in the middle of nowhere and goes to the middle of nowhere.  Aside from a small local-yokel restaurant that you can get to if you ditch the trail at mile 13, the trail is completely useless. Unless or course, you're a recreational only rider who doesn't mind burning $30 in gas just to ride your bike.

[Downtown Dweller]

Just got back from SLO, CA and wow they have a pretty nice bike lane set up. You can ride anywhere around town fairly safely in a bike lane. They are also very nice and wide. Only issue I had was at right turn lanes (you have to cross traffic to stay in the bike lane...weird!) and people on mopeds using the bike lane (WTF!) otherwise they were awesome. One other note, there are bike stands EVERYWHERE, no issue to lock your bike up. I heard FCCJ finally got some bike stands, prior to that they wanted you to lock your bike up at no mans land bus terminal?!