My trusty steed. |
Last week I ran out of money on my metro card, and decided that the rest of the month would be Bike To Work Month. I’m on my third day of biking and it’s already time for a list of things that make biking annoying and potentially dangerous.
2. Bikers who ride on the sidewalks and drivers who think that’s where bikes go. Yes drivers, you are right, the roads were probably designed for your horrible SUV/busted Ford Ranger/Audi station wagon, but guess what? I am going to use them all the time, all over, over and over, as much as I want, and there is nothing you can do about it besides drive slowly (oh-so-slowly) behind me. Nothing. Also, people who ride bikes down crowded sidewalks: why is this? And why are they always on mountain bikes that are too small for them?
3. The lights are not timed, or even coherent, really. If the lights in this city are in fact run by a robot, it’s definitely Bender, and not Data or Hal, or even Rosie. Most of the lights seem to be sensor-activated in the sense that they detect oncoming traffic, resent the hubris of a quickly moving vehicle, and turn red. (Aside: There is one glorious cross-town path that has sort-of timed lights, bike lanes, and little traffic, but dare I even mention it? I dare: it’s E Street NW and it is a beautiful gift.)
4. Georgetown. It’s a trap!
5. Multi-use paths. These are such a good idea, right? Cities big and small are tripping over themselves to make walking-biking paths so that they can be green/walkable/transit-
Now, it isn't all bad. There are actually a ton of bike lanes and a decent number of trails in DC, and the city installed some very useful "bike boxes" for tricky intersections, but StruckDC still has a lot to tweet about, so remember to wear a helmet!
Nice bike. I especially like the way you staged the wheels so the reflectors are in exactly the same position. Also, I believe you meant to refer to your bike as a "steed".
ReplyDeleteHahaha, maybe, but how can you be so sure?
ReplyDeleteWow, Andrew. I happened to have Futurama on in the background the other night and FINALLY got the Bender reference. Dork.
ReplyDelete