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Ferry/bike commuter article and video
Since I was recently criticized for linking and running, this should be a
slightly more annotated post. An article about increased commuter use of the ferries, over yonder: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/b.../19029979.html A video of what it looks like these days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6VZifLlac -- Warm Regards, Claire Petersky http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/ See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky |
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Ferry/bike commuter article and video
In article ,
"Claire Petersky" writes: Since I was recently criticized for linking and running, this should be a slightly more annotated post. An article about increased commuter use of the ferries, over yonder: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/b.../19029979.html A video of what it looks like these days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6VZifLlac I can't do youtube with my paleolithic computer system and cheapie dialup internet account, but I'm assuming this is yet another sign of visibly increased bicycle use. It's quite interesting to observe. I frequently see many of our publicly available parking racks filled to capacity and beyond, when not so long ago one might see one or two bikes parked there. I think we're going to need a lot more facilities for bicycle parking and multimodal commuting, including more parking racks, larger carrying racks on public transit buses, and more bike lockers c/o Translink (our local public transit authority.) I wouldn't be surprised if BC ferries are experiencing an upsurge in cycle-commuting passengers as well. Actually I'd like to see The City implementing public rain shelters which incorporate not only dry bicycle parking, but also picnic tables and maybe some bring-your-own-briquets hibachis for a little grilling, and keeping warm in the winter. If The City is concerned about such places inducing loitering and subsequent crime, they could encourage combination street food vendors/ security guards to congregate around them, while also keeping their eyes on people's parked bikes. I wouldn't mind leaving my bike in the care of someone who could not only serve-up a good Mr Tubesteak, but could also tai-kwan-do a would-be bike thief into a couple of months of recuperation. And -- no rain-soaked saddle onto which to park one's nether regions; not even having to tie a plastic shopping bag onto it. There are no decent public rain shelters in Vancouver. In fact, the bus stop shelters are designed to funnel the weather /in/. Well, I exaggerate (a little,) but it often seems that way. cheers, Tom -- Nothing is safe from me. I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca |
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Ferry/bike commuter article and video
"Tom Keats" wrote in message
... In article , "Claire Petersky" writes: Since I was recently criticized for linking and running, this should be a slightly more annotated post. An article about increased commuter use of the ferries, over yonder: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/b.../19029979.html A video of what it looks like these days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6VZifLlac I can't do youtube with my paleolithic computer system and cheapie dialup internet account, but I'm assuming this is yet another sign of visibly increased bicycle use. Yeah, just a short vid of people pouring off of the ferry on their bikes. It used to be that there'd be just a handful; now there's enough that they're talking (per the article) loading one less car so they can cram on more bikes - they actually make more money by stacking 10 bikes in the spot a single car takes up. -- Warm Regards, Claire Petersky http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/ See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky |
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Ferry/bike commuter article and video
"Claire Petersky" wrote in message m... "Tom Keats" wrote in message ... In article , "Claire Petersky" writes: A video of what it looks like these days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6VZifLlac Yeah, just a short vid of people pouring off of the ferry on their bikes. It used to be that there'd be just a handful; now there's enough that they're talking (per the article) loading one less car so they can cram on more bikes - they actually make more money by stacking 10 bikes in the spot a single car takes up. The story was good, but the video really brings home what 100+ bike commuters look like. That a lot of folks. |
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Ferry/bike commuter article and video
Claire Petersky wrote:
Since I was recently criticized for linking and running, this should be a slightly more annotated post. An article about increased commuter use of the ferries, over yonder: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/b.../19029979.html A video of what it looks like these days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6VZifLlac In 1972 I spent a few days in Amsterdam, staying on a sleeping barge behind the main railway station. I would take the ferry from near the barge to and from the railway station, and there would always be hordes of cyclists pouring off the barge, a scattering of mopeds, and one or two cars looking very lost and out of place. Nice to see those days returning. mark |
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Ferry/bike commuter article and video
In article ,
"Claire Petersky" writes: An article about increased commuter use of the ferries, over yonder: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/b.../19029979.html A video of what it looks like these days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6VZifLlac I can't do youtube with my paleolithic computer system and cheapie dialup internet account, but I'm assuming this is yet another sign of visibly increased bicycle use. Yeah, just a short vid of people pouring off of the ferry on their bikes. It used to be that there'd be just a handful; now there's enough that they're talking (per the article) loading one less car so they can cram on more bikes - they actually make more money by stacking 10 bikes in the spot a single car takes up. One interesting feature I've noticed about recent increased ridership is that I'm suddenly experiencing being passed *on my right* by other riders, scooting through my door-zone safety margin. Personally, I don't mind being passed, either on my right or on my left. When I'm riding back home with a dozen eggs in the milk crate, I shall not compete with anyone. But I get worried that these passers-on-my-right are gonna get creamed either by dooring, or by a car pulling out of or into a driveway, when the driver might see me but not expect anybody being to the right of me. Especially around the Vancouver Racquets Club, where drivers perform all kinds of gnarly and possibly unlawful maneouvers to get off the street and into the parking lot. Sometimes I can be such a worry wart. But if any of these riders gets clobbered, I'd bet dollars to doughnut holes they'll hang up the bike, and warn-off everybody they know, about how cycling is too dangerous. I intuit these folks who pass me on my right are new urban riders who may have tinkered with BMX or other bikes in their youth, and who like to think they're fast and are therefore "skilled" riders (and I'm happy to help make 'em feel good,) but are timid about venturing deeply into where the motorized traffic goes, which is what proper and safe passing to the left would involve. Oh, well. At least they're not riding on the sidewalk. At least when they're passing me on my right. And I'm getting my dozen eggs home intact. Have you ever noticed how a dozen eggs survives the bike trip home from the supermarket better than a half-dozen eggs? cheers, Tom -- Nothing is safe from me. I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca |
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Ferry/bike commuter article and video
Claire Petersky wrote:
"Tom Keats" wrote in message I can't do youtube with my paleolithic computer system and cheapie dialup internet account, but I'm assuming this is yet another sign of visibly increased bicycle use. Yeah, just a short vid of people pouring off of the ferry on their bikes. It used to be that there'd be just a handful; now there's enough that they're talking (per the article) loading one less car so they can cram on more bikes - they actually make more money by stacking 10 bikes in the spot a single car takes up. I finally got around to watching the video. My my, there really are quite a few pouring off. I was using the ferry yesterday, and I saw more cyclists than I normally do (even though it wasn't a commute day). Taking the bike on the ferry is much nicer than the car anyway. Being able to jump the queue, and never having to worry about 'will I fit on this one, or have to wait for the next one (or the one after that)' is really nice. -- Dane Buson - "Fool-proof implies a finite number of fools." |
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