I can speak to your comments about bicycle riders. For over 20 years, a bike was my sole form of transportation around center city, Fishtown and UC. During that time, I had to put up with amazingly idiotic behavior by fellow bike riders. I even marvel today at the number of riders who eschew helmets.
Referring to bikers riding between trolleys and pavement, you say you are not sure why they are exempt from that one. Because there is no one to tell them they can't do it!!! Pure and simple. You may notice that many of the bikers are sophomorically young and given to lapses of brain activity. They behave while riding a bike the same way they behave when their parents ask them to take out the garbage. Observe a rule of the road? Nonsense...not when they can flout it. When I commuted from UC to CC, one could always tell the serious (read: responsible) riders especially when the weather started to cool down and effectively weed out the hothouse flowers. One simply has to observe how the rider looks to see whether or not said rider is wearing his brain, using his brain or sitting on it. Riders won't ride with the traffic, won't stop at traffic signals, won't signal to change lanes. They don't see themselves as vehicles using a road and sharing with other vehicles. My personal favorites are the sidewalk riders, "candy asses." They seem to be completely oblivious as opposed to the wankers who ride the roads as though they are Plasticman. It is easy to understand why drivers want to knock them off their bikes. However, when I am driving a car, I always give them right of way. Even if I think they are the idiot-contingent; after all, they are fellow-bikers. P.S. There was only ever one worse thing than idiot bike riders on the road in all my experience, hopped-up truck drivers who would actually aim for you while you were riding along the road. They were scary. Sande Knight ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ; [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:34 PM Subject: Re: [UC] University City traffic nightmares There's something about the 4-way stop sign at 49th and (Paschall?). The street between Kingsessing and Woodland right by the Septa facility. I don't know if it's the size of that intersection and the resulting long length of time it takes to get completely through it but there are always those akward "stop then go, then stop, then go .... then SLAM the breaks and scream because the other person commits just as you commit" moments. That aspect, paired with the famous "rolling stoppers" of Philadelphia, makes for a lot of close calls. Also, the bike riders are mildly homicidal in U.C.(from my experience). The most dangerous offense is when they zoom between the parked cars and (specificlly the 34) trolley as people are getting on/off, simply because they can fit through the narrow passage. Not sure why bike riders presume they are exempt from that one. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:16 am Subject: [UC] University City traffic nightmares Friends and Neighbors: The following was in today's DN. It's been suggested that lots of us have items we might add to the list (the horrible left turn going north from University Ave/38th St onto Chester/Baltimore, coupled with the timing of the lights to actually get onto Chester or Baltimore at 39th Street comes immediately to mind). Al Krigman reminding you that you read it first, here, on the popu-list ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Letters: My University City traffic nightmares Philadelphia Daily News (9/29/08) IWORK at 37th and Walnut. If there is a hell for drivers, it must be University City with the constant construction, vast number of pedestrians, trucks, taxis, buses and double-parking. Now, it seems, the city is on a mission to make things worse by adding more traffic lights, stop signs and no-turn-on-red signs. Some specific nightmare spots: 31st and Spring Garden. About a year ago, the city put up a no-turn-on-red sign. The effect: long lines of idling cars on 31st Street burning up $3.75 a gallon gasoline. Spring Garden Bridge at the Art Museum. A new light went up last month. Result? More cars backed up on the bridge. Everything seemed to move well before the light. 34th at Lancaster, at the 7-Eleven. Another new light. Trucks continue to block the right lane as they unload their deliveries to the store. With the new light, there is effectively only one open lane at the light. Traffic backs way up 34th. And let's not forget all the bike lanes our last mayor was so fond of, turning four-lane roads into two lanes. Again, lots of idling, polluting cars. When is the city going to do something to improve traffic flow in University City? Donald Kaufmann, Philadelphia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators<>. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Find phone numbers fast with the New AOL Yellow Pages<http://yellowpages.aol.com/?NCID=emlweusyelp00000001>!
