Colleges, high schools move to be more bike- and pedestrian-friendly 6

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1. 

   Wolverine Posted 5:28 am
   07 Aug 2008

   And Attend Local SchoolsGrade- and high school students should be attending the schools closest to their homes.  While I strongly oppose segregation, consuming and burning oil in order to integrate schools is not a legitimate way to achieve integration.  I grew up walking to my grade school, beginning on the first day of kindergarten when I not quite five years old.  Organizing societies so that kids can all walk to school is the way to go, and parents should not be allowed to drive their kids individually; in rural areas where students don't live within walking distances from their schools, they should be bused.

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2. 

   Delay And Deny Posted 6:02 pm
   07 Aug 2008

   Attack of the Killer Vehicles
   
   Having yet again to shout my lungs out, twice today, to get a driver making a right hand turn, with their necks transfixed looking left, to turn and look at me in the crosswalk (with the walk signal on and the right of way)...I'd say, yes, to more places to bike without cars.
   Biking on the street is like taking a knife to a gun fight.

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3. 

   Ron Steenblik Posted 6:38 pm
   07 Aug 2008

   Good point, John BailoMaybe in busy areas, cities could set up strobe lights that flash whenever a pedestrian wants to traverse the cross-walk. Such lights (neighbors would probably object to a beeping alarm) might be seen in the peripheral vision of drivers looking out more for other drivers coming from their left.

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4. 

   BlackBear Posted 11:32 pm
   07 Aug 2008

   Bikes as vehicles.I commute every day on my bike and I have to say that I actually feel safer using the streets as a vehicle instead of using the sidewalks.
   Drivers are not looking for traffic on the sidewalks, but me of the Many Blinking Lights acting as a vehicle is right where they expect to see stuff.
   I've found that it helps to be a little obnoxious about your right to be on the road. Don't feel badly about making folks slow down a bit and pass you like a car or motorcycle.
   Keep in mind, however, that I live in N.C. where folks aren't quite as quick to be belligerent as I've seen further north! ;)

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5. 

   mrsmlgn Posted 6:29 am
   08 Aug 2008

   bikes on campusThe University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has jumped on the free bikes for students bandwagon as well!  Very safe for on-campus riding; bright green color may keep them a bit safer on the road.

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6. 

   DannyGirl Posted 10:13 am
   10 Aug 2008

   look left while turning rightI hear you brother - as a past, longterm commute cyclist (in the days of 99c gas!) I never stopped being infuriated by drivers who did this... and then then life's responsibilities moved to where I simply can't function where I live, and with the volume of responsibilities... and I also understand that when drivers do this, it's a basic expression of human psychology.  That is, we look to avoid getting hit by anything our size and larger.  I drive an econobox so that's most things on 4 wheels.  I really try to stay conscious of bikes, motorcycles, etc but it really is a struggle.  And if it's a struggle for me with my history, it's well nigh unachievable for everyone else.  Amen to the increase in bike lanes and trails - or bicyclists just getting their butts on the sidewalk.  [BTW, Holding up traffic riding in the middle of the road is not only dangerous to the cyclist and infuriating to the driver - it's illegal in most places.]  

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