Verdi’s Rude Bicyclists
By NevadBike.org, Clutch Creative & Ky Plaskon, Ride On!
This week on Bike Life Radio, we head to Colorado. In Boulder, we talk to people about bike family, trying something new and Boulder Bikes where we learn about their successful business model. In Denver, we talk to Denver Bikes about infrastructure in Denver. A highlight of that interview that I like is how to not get hit by a car depending on what kind of helmet you have or your position on the bike.
Got a bike that needs fixing? Bring it to the Riverside Farmer’s Market on Sundays from 9-1 and the Nevada Bicycle Coalition will check it out!
There is a big free party and documentary coming up at the Reno Public Market. The documentary is about the Biggest Little Bike Network and how it came to be. It talks to the advocates and engineers who made it happen. Then, we will have a panel discussion with the engineers and a party! It starts at 5:30 sharp on Monday June 1 at the Reno Public Market. A suggested donation of $10 is accepted at NevadaBike.org. Hope to see you there!
A protected bike path on Evans Avenue to UNR and closing a part of that street is on the radar. The Regional Transportation Commission is asking for public input on the University Gateway project for people to have a safe and pleasant way to get from downtown to the University. You can review the documents and take the survey here.
Men die in cycling crashes at far higher rates than women – according to an article in Cycling West Magazine. According to a five-year study by the Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group, the national male fatality rate is 74 percent higher than women. But in 13 states, the trend flips. In Idaho, women are 60 percent more likely to die. In Montana women are 47 percent more likely to die, and in Utah women are 18 percent more likely to die. So how is it in Nevada? Men are 160 percent more likely to be killed than women while riding bikes. So what is the solution? The Lawyers Group is urging planners to consider gender differences when designing safety programs and education efforts.
It’s always safer to ride in groups. You can do that at a free family friendly community ride every Wednesday night in Las Vegas and Reno. In Reno, it starts at sunset at Believe Plaza. In Las Vegas it starts at First and Gas.
That’s it for Traffic News from Bike Life Radio. Listen every Sunday at 5:30 on KWNKRadio.org 97.7FM. Im Ky Plaskon Ride on!
Thanks Terry!
I’ve been run off the road by these guys while biking in Verdi many times. They’re FAST! I just wonder how much of the motorists’ complaints stem from actual transgressions of the law, and how much of the time they’re just pissed they have to slow down a bit and go around. I hear complaints about cyclists running stop signs and ignoring traffic laws, but in an average day, it is WAY more common to see a vehicle running a light or making an illegal u-turn, or going 35 in school zone, and WAY more dangerous to others. I just wish the community would come together and demand safer streets, FROM EVERYBODY Unfortunately, cyclists are such a small, small percentage of roadway users, and the ones who don’t obey the rules are even fewer. I think they shouldn’t be singled out and given more than their small share of attention.
So I rode with these folks yesterday, overall they were pretty decent. However running a Peloton on residential streets I have to really think twice about that. There are two small subdivisions that they cruise through in East Verdi and something is boud to happen.
I have 3 small kids and I hate it when cars speed over the 25 mph speed limit in my neighborhood and here the group comes doing 20-30+ through small neighborhood.
They are after extra miles and extra hills but I don’t think that’s the way to do it.
Also someone crashed pretty good as the testosterone heads at the front made the corner at old hwy 40 and crystal park. Too close, too fast, period end of story.
Gonna have to think about this for a while maybe talk to their leaders.
There are two reasons for encouraging cycling: so we can enjoy something we love relatively unimpeded and so the world cleans the air and gets healthier.
The “give me all the roadway I want” cycling psychology is no different than that of the Humvee and Harley drivers – “We got the power; screw everyone else.”
How does this do anything other than complete one lucky ride while alienating everyone else.
Moving the nation toward an appreciation of cycling requires winning the hearts and minds – not unlike success in an insurgency. Pissing people off while blasting through their communities has the same effect as bombing their villages. It achieves nothing but adversity.
Grow up; wake up. The energy necessary to accelerate from a stop light or sign only ads to the conditioning of the ride.
We have a responsibility. Move as many people as possible to bicycles. Get with it!
I was riding west near Silva Ranch intesection (I had no stop sign) when another rider blew through his stop sign and came towards me in my lane (going the wrong direction). If you’re gonna break the law, it’s best that you check for traffic and make an effort to follow the rules.
Terry,
I grew up off Mayberry Drive and have been riding my bike in Verdi (off and on) for 35 years. I have also been a participant of the Saturday AM ride through Verdi for as long as it’s been in existence (8-9 years). Don’t necessarily disagree with much of your post. But, as long as I’m on a public roadway, I am NOT your “guest” when I’m in Verdi.
Can’t we all just get along?
The above “story” could just as easily be rewritten substituting the cyclists with the drivers-
Entitled Americans –