New bike lane on Old Georgetown Rd in Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

Except cyclists here have clearly stated they have no intention of ceasing to use sidewalks if it suits them, bike lanes or not. Cyclists think they should have access to literally every square inch of public right of way, whilst at the same time demanding that bike lanes are solely for them.

See the problem here?

[Anonymous]

I was on OGR around 8:30 on Monday and didn’t see any traffic backups at all so maybe SHA was right and people are adapting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

bike lanes do not remove bicycles from pedestrian spaces. In fact, cyclist demand the right to choose where they want to cycle: road, bike lane or sidewalk; even where all 3 are present if they feel unsafe. It is bizarre to me that cyclists always try to argue that bike lanes are for pedestrian safety when what would really make pedestrians on sidewalks safer is if bikes were not there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

Except cyclists here have clearly stated they have no intention of ceasing to use sidewalks if it suits them, bike lanes or not. Cyclists think they should have access to literally every square inch of public right of way, whilst at the same time demanding that bike lanes are solely for them.

See the problem here?

I rode on Old Georgetown Rd late this afternoon. The bicyclists I saw between Tuckerman Lane and Cedar Lane, in addition to me, were: 5 adults in the bike lanes, and one teenager (coming from WJ) on the sidewalk. So you can be clear who you're complaining about. There was also a person on an e-scooter in the bike lanes. There were maybe 15-20 pedestrians on the sidewalk, including people at bus stops waiting for a bus, and a few joggers. Oh, and no traffic back-ups worse than what I experienced, many times, on Old Georgetown Road before the bike lanes.

Also, it's not "cyclists stating", it's the law. Don't like the law? Ask your state and county elected officials to change it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
bike lanes do not remove bicycles from pedestrian spaces. In fact, cyclist demand the right to choose where they want to cycle: road, bike lane or sidewalk; even where all 3 are present if they feel unsafe. It is bizarre to me that cyclists always try to argue that bike lanes are for pedestrian safety when what would really make pedestrians on sidewalks safer is if bikes were not there.

Before the Old Georgetown bike lanes, I rode on the sidewalk. Now I ride in the bike lanes. I support the bike lanes. You should too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

Except cyclists here have clearly stated they have no intention of ceasing to use sidewalks if it suits them, bike lanes or not. Cyclists think they should have access to literally every square inch of public right of way, whilst at the same time demanding that bike lanes are solely for them.

See the problem here?

The problem is that you are either making things up or ascribing something one or two cyclists said to every cyclist and completely exaggerating it. I cycle sometimes (I more often walk) and would not ride on a sidewalk if there was an unobstructed bike path next to it.

Also the drivers on this thread are mad that the lane had been allocated away from drivers- they would be equally mad if the space had been allocated to making the sidewalk wider by the width of the lane. So it seems that it is drivers that want "access to every square inch of public right of way."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

Except cyclists here have clearly stated they have no intention of ceasing to use sidewalks if it suits them, bike lanes or not. Cyclists think they should have access to literally every square inch of public right of way, whilst at the same time demanding that bike lanes are solely for them.

See the problem here?

The problem is that you are either making things up or ascribing something one or two cyclists said to every cyclist and completely exaggerating it. I cycle sometimes (I more often walk) and would not ride on a sidewalk if there was an unobstructed bike path next to it.

Also the drivers on this thread are mad that the lane had been allocated away from drivers- they would be equally mad if the space had been allocated to making the sidewalk wider by the width of the lane. So it seems that it is drivers that want "access to every square inch of public right of way."

You don’t care about ensuring that pedestrians feel safe on sidewalks. Which is pretty consistent with the selfish criticism that I see often lodged at bicyclists. It’s unfortunate that you can care so little for others safety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

Except cyclists here have clearly stated they have no intention of ceasing to use sidewalks if it suits them, bike lanes or not. Cyclists think they should have access to literally every square inch of public right of way, whilst at the same time demanding that bike lanes are solely for them.

See the problem here?

The problem is that you are either making things up or ascribing something one or two cyclists said to every cyclist and completely exaggerating it. I cycle sometimes (I more often walk) and would not ride on a sidewalk if there was an unobstructed bike path next to it.

Also the drivers on this thread are mad that the lane had been allocated away from drivers- they would be equally mad if the space had been allocated to making the sidewalk wider by the width of the lane. So it seems that it is drivers that want "access to every square inch of public right of way."

You don’t care about ensuring that pedestrians feel safe on sidewalks. Which is pretty consistent with the selfish criticism that I see often lodged at bicyclists. It’s unfortunate that you can care so little for others safety.

Remarkable, even by DCUM standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

Except cyclists here have clearly stated they have no intention of ceasing to use sidewalks if it suits them, bike lanes or not. Cyclists think they should have access to literally every square inch of public right of way, whilst at the same time demanding that bike lanes are solely for them.

See the problem here?

The problem is that you are either making things up or ascribing something one or two cyclists said to every cyclist and completely exaggerating it. I cycle sometimes (I more often walk) and would not ride on a sidewalk if there was an unobstructed bike path next to it.

Also the drivers on this thread are mad that the lane had been allocated away from drivers- they would be equally mad if the space had been allocated to making the sidewalk wider by the width of the lane. So it seems that it is drivers that want "access to every square inch of public right of way."

You don’t care about ensuring that pedestrians feel safe on sidewalks. Which is pretty consistent with the selfish criticism that I see often lodged at bicyclists. It’s unfortunate that you can care so little for others safety.

I said in my post that I walk more than I bike so of course I care about pedestrian safety. Again, you are literally pulling non-existent accusations out of thin air As a pedestrian I vastly prefer walking on a sidewalk (or waiting for a bus) next to a bike lane. than a car lane. In fact, I would love it if Old Georgetown was completely redone to have one super wide sidewalk (where the current sidewalk and bike lane are), one bus lane, and a bike lane and no cars. That would be super safe for pedestrians so I am sure you would agree!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

Except cyclists here have clearly stated they have no intention of ceasing to use sidewalks if it suits them, bike lanes or not. Cyclists think they should have access to literally every square inch of public right of way, whilst at the same time demanding that bike lanes are solely for them.

See the problem here?

The problem is that you are either making things up or ascribing something one or two cyclists said to every cyclist and completely exaggerating it. I cycle sometimes (I more often walk) and would not ride on a sidewalk if there was an unobstructed bike path next to it.

Also the drivers on this thread are mad that the lane had been allocated away from drivers- they would be equally mad if the space had been allocated to making the sidewalk wider by the width of the lane. So it seems that it is drivers that want "access to every square inch of public right of way."

You don’t care about ensuring that pedestrians feel safe on sidewalks. Which is pretty consistent with the selfish criticism that I see often lodged at bicyclists. It’s unfortunate that you can care so little for others safety.

I said in my post that I walk more than I bike so of course I care about pedestrian safety. Again, you are literally pulling non-existent accusations out of thin air As a pedestrian I vastly prefer walking on a sidewalk (or waiting for a bus) next to a bike lane. than a car lane. In fact, I would love it if Old Georgetown was completely redone to have one super wide sidewalk (where the current sidewalk and bike lane are), one bus lane, and a bike lane and no cars. That would be super safe for pedestrians so I am sure you would agree!

As I said, pretty consistent with the selfish critique, because the standard is not whether you feel safe the standard is whether others feel safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

Except cyclists here have clearly stated they have no intention of ceasing to use sidewalks if it suits them, bike lanes or not. Cyclists think they should have access to literally every square inch of public right of way, whilst at the same time demanding that bike lanes are solely for them.

See the problem here?

The problem is that you are either making things up or ascribing something one or two cyclists said to every cyclist and completely exaggerating it. I cycle sometimes (I more often walk) and would not ride on a sidewalk if there was an unobstructed bike path next to it.

Also the drivers on this thread are mad that the lane had been allocated away from drivers- they would be equally mad if the space had been allocated to making the sidewalk wider by the width of the lane. So it seems that it is drivers that want "access to every square inch of public right of way."

You don’t care about ensuring that pedestrians feel safe on sidewalks. Which is pretty consistent with the selfish criticism that I see often lodged at bicyclists. It’s unfortunate that you can care so little for others safety.

I said in my post that I walk more than I bike so of course I care about pedestrian safety. Again, you are literally pulling non-existent accusations out of thin air As a pedestrian I vastly prefer walking on a sidewalk (or waiting for a bus) next to a bike lane. than a car lane. In fact, I would love it if Old Georgetown was completely redone to have one super wide sidewalk (where the current sidewalk and bike lane are), one bus lane, and a bike lane and no cars. That would be super safe for pedestrians so I am sure you would agree!

As I said, pretty consistent with the selfish critique, because the standard is not whether you feel safe the standard is whether others feel safe.

Fortunately, others feel safe as well. For example, the older man I saw walking in the new Pike + Rose two-way bike lanes this morning, next to the sidewalk, with a rollator and a little dog. Just not you, I guess? I'm sorry you have such phobia about bicycles, I really sincerely am. On the bright side (for you), I am seeing a lot more e-scooters. I hope you don't have a phobia about those, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How about you go out and interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ask them which makes them feel less safe, people bicycling on the sidewalk, or cars turning while they're trying to cross the street.

How do bike lanes prevent cars from turning at an intersection? If anything, increased distance from the curb makes pedestrians less visible which heightens risk.

For you to interview random pedestrians on the sidewalk, you would have to be a pedestrian on the sidewalk yourself, which seems like something you never do. Because if you had ever walked on the Old Georgetown Road sidewalks, you would know how much safer for pedestrians they are now thanks to the bike lanes.

As a pedestrian, I don’t need to interview them. I find walking around bicycles to be unsafe and I would appreciate that bicycles were completely removed from pedestrian spaces to make me feel more safe and also encourage more people to walk, which will improve their health and stop climate change.

Then you should support good bike lanes. Which, as an additional benefit, will also encourage more people to bike, which will also improve their health and stop climate change.

Except cyclists here have clearly stated they have no intention of ceasing to use sidewalks if it suits them, bike lanes or not. Cyclists think they should have access to literally every square inch of public right of way, whilst at the same time demanding that bike lanes are solely for them.

See the problem here?

The problem is that you are either making things up or ascribing something one or two cyclists said to every cyclist and completely exaggerating it. I cycle sometimes (I more often walk) and would not ride on a sidewalk if there was an unobstructed bike path next to it.

Also the drivers on this thread are mad that the lane had been allocated away from drivers- they would be equally mad if the space had been allocated to making the sidewalk wider by the width of the lane. So it seems that it is drivers that want "access to every square inch of public right of way."

You don’t care about ensuring that pedestrians feel safe on sidewalks. Which is pretty consistent with the selfish criticism that I see often lodged at bicyclists. It’s unfortunate that you can care so little for others safety.

I said in my post that I walk more than I bike so of course I care about pedestrian safety. Again, you are literally pulling non-existent accusations out of thin air As a pedestrian I vastly prefer walking on a sidewalk (or waiting for a bus) next to a bike lane. than a car lane. In fact, I would love it if Old Georgetown was completely redone to have one super wide sidewalk (where the current sidewalk and bike lane are), one bus lane, and a bike lane and no cars. That would be super safe for pedestrians so I am sure you would agree!

As I said, pretty consistent with the selfish critique, because the standard is not whether you feel safe the standard is whether others feel safe.

Fortunately, others feel safe as well. For example, the older man I saw walking in the new Pike + Rose two-way bike lanes this morning, next to the sidewalk, with a rollator and a little dog. Just not you, I guess? I'm sorry you have such phobia about bicycles, I really sincerely am. On the bright side (for you), I am seeing a lot more e-scooters. I hope you don't have a phobia about those, too.

Thanks for confirming that if I see one bicyclist in the road it means that protected bike lanes are not needed to make other bicyclist feel safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was on OGR around 8:30 on Monday and didn’t see any traffic backups at all so maybe SHA was right and people are adapting.

Monday was a holiday. Traffic was light.

[Anonymous]

I was on OGR around 4:30 on Tuesday and didn't see any traffic backups out of the ordinary.