Archive for the ‘Safety’ Category

Panhandling at bus stops

Jake S told me that bus passengers often get conned out of money for bus fare by the drunk-and-homeless.

If this has happened to you or someone you love – tell me how it happened in the comments.

It sure does discourage me from taking the bus around the university. It should be a safe place, or the safest place, to take the bus.

27

10 2009

Thoughts on Viva Bike Vegas ’09

It was chilly at 6:30 in the morning when some 400 cyclists took off for century rides around the valley. I couldn't get a camera on one of the bikers, so I can only imagine what they saw and what it was like.

Instead, I hung out with Jake Spidle and his girlfriend Kassey of the Las Vegas Bicycle Cooperative. They are trying to start up their co-op repairing and reselling donated bikes. They're still looking for bikes and donations. So if you have a bike you don't use anymore, send it their way.

The festival did open my eyes to the problems facing Vegas commuters.

The biggest problem facing cyclists isn't the roads or lack of bike lanes, but aggressive drivers. Smart Car drivers and motorcyclists experience the same kind of discrimination. Anything seen as "different" than a car is treated with animosity. Almost deadly animosity.

There is huge lack of education among drivers and even cyclists. Those who bike out of necessity ride unsafely: against traffic, no helmet, on the sidewalks, etc. Drivers coming in contact with bikers don't know how to act. Either they give too wide a berth or cut cyclists off.

NDOT is focusing its efforts on educating school children and parents on biking, but little is being done to get the adults on board. Two major groups of cyclists are university students and casino workers. But not much is going towards these groups of people.

Yes, it's important to educate children. But there are people out there now who need support for their efforts in being green.

How could NDOT reach you or your friends who cycle?

Posted via email from EcoStreets on Posterous

11

10 2009

How We Drive: old hunk of junk vs new steel and streamlined econo car.

Technology wins out.

Posted via web from EcoStreets on Posterous

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08

10 2009

Bike stuff: how to make left turns or I’m an idiot

We’ve featured Keri from Commute Orlando before. By way of Carbon Trace, here’s a nifty Flash animation on how to make four types of left turns on your velo.

How to make left turns

So when I ride I do the “Pedestrian Turn.” After watching the video, up comes this message:

warning

Well, I guess I’m an idiot. But you know what? it scares the ISH out of me to merge onto traffic. The least because most roads to UNR are packed with cars. And I get freaked out looking over my shoulder. That’s a moot point now though because my wheels were stolen, so there’s that.

What method do you use to turn left? And how do keep from shitting your pants/ crashing?

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10

09 2009

Don’t Drive Amongst These People: Be Safe, Ride a Bike!


Though this video depicts women drivers, and I am a woman driver with a good record, it’s still hilarious. A case and point that some drivers out there shouldn’t be driving… and what’s the best way to avoid them? Pick up you’re two wheeler and get in the bike lane.

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03

03 2009