| Speed bumps that do not meet established safety criteria are illegal. It’s complicated. There are no simple answers to this complex and regional issue. We ALL need to be more careful, including bike riders.
If we are to include bikes as legitimate and equal partners on the roads, perhaps licensing is a good path to pursue.
When you leave our area, not much past Sudbury and certainly past Worcester, you appreciate that car and truck culture is here for a long while. In fact, as I drive back and forth across country every summer, I have come to appreciate the importance of cars and trucks to the survival of small towns and rural folks…and our economy.
But, that does not say we cannot do better in how we manage our roads and their use.
Let’s come together, through regional communities and work toward some practical ideas that respect the limitations of geography and each other. Sent from my iPad Having speed bumps on curvy roads seems like a small price to pay when cyclists are dying. In Lincoln, we can choose to make the decision to reject the fossil fuel consuming, dangerous, and expensive norm of car culture.
Would a speed bump that encourages car use at the speed limit (as opposed to above it) really be so evil? Is it such a bad thing if a car cutting through to Weston scratches their bumper on a speed bump when they whiz by a pedestrian at 15 mph over the speed limit? Why are we giving cars the priority? The use of spreed bumps is limited by topography and sightline. Somerville g=has wide, straight streets, unlike Lincoln’s narrow , winding country roads. And, speed bumps maybe not be the best for bikes
Hi John and all,
I'm curious why your list of ideas didn't include increased enforcement on our road, or speed bumps? It wouldn't take much to reinstate the reputation of Lincoln as being strict on speed. Bakers Bridge Road is another to add to the above list of Sandy Pond, Weston Road, Tower Rd and Lincoln Rd.
An article in the Globe just highlighted the extensive use of speed bumps in Somerville. Towns are catching on that the car culture has run its course. Gail
Here's a handful of ideas:
Come to the next BPAC meeting on September 28 at 7:30pm on Zoom.
Speak to your friends and neighbors about the need to slow down and focus only on driving when behind the wheel.
Encourage your local and state representatives to prioritize public and alternative forms of transportation.
Volunteer as a crossing guard during Walk, Bike, Roll to School Week in the Spring.
Walk back and forth along Lincoln Road between Town Hall and the 5 way between 7:45-8am to observe how many people are on their phones behind the wheel.
Attend an RTC meeting and voice your support for infrastructure improvements that lower speeds and prioritize walkers and cyclists.
Try to eliminate 1 vehicle trip per week and walk or ride instead.
Thanks,
John
This is terrible. It should NOT be happening…but, I for one will do whatever I can to protect myself, including wearing that ugly vest. At this time, that is all I can do. We can come together, as a region, and discuss how we might be proactive, as communities. How can we turn outrage from finger-wagging and furor into practical constructive actions?
People, a SCHOOL BUS hit a cyclist in broad daylight. This is not about what anyone should be wearing but rather about the fact that driving entitlement is reaching epidemic proportions here in Lincoln and all across the country.
Much like gun-violence, there is plenty of outrage and lots of thoughts and prayers and high-vis clothing suggestions but until we are willing to confront the fact that traffic safety is a uniquely American problem and a result of high vehicle speeds, larger cars, and road structure deficiencies, nothing will change.
I’m also a long time road cyclist, and I feel much more visible since I’ve added front (white) and rear (red) blinkers to my bike. Passing cars seem to give me much wider berth. It’s an extra step but seems very worthwhile. I also wear a day-glo green helmet. Visibility really does make a difference, imo.
Laura As a cyclist who resides in this town and accrues on average 250 miles a week between trails and the road, I believe it’s important to devise a way of getting out of this echo chamber and speak to the broader group of people who, let’s face it, use this town as a cut through. They are the problem, not the local residents.
If I had to hazard to guess, they’re (non Lincoln residents) not on Lincoln Talk and as they execute twice the speed limit minimally, on Tower Rd., Deerhaven Rd., Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln Road, Bedford Road (where there’s an actual sign that states “cyclists may use entire lane” if you can believe it) thus head nodding amongst ourselves is not going to be effective.
Vic And I would strongly urge drivers to slow down, obey the law, and pay attention to what is in front of them at all times when behind the wheel of a large, powerful object capable of inflicting terrible injuries to walkers, cyclists, and other drivers.
There is no clear consensus that high-visibility clothing makes a difference for pedestrian nor cyclist safety so let's please avoid any potential victim-blaming.
See:
and
Thanks!
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-- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
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Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
The LincolnTalk mailing list.
To post, send mail to [email protected].
Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/.
Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
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