Dallas, the "Worst City for Cycling," About to Spend Several Days Trying to Shake That Label

By Robert Wilonsky Mon., Sep. 28 2009 at 3:02 PM

Categories: News

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Speaking of how Dallas doesn't have great streets ...

It was awful early when, back in June, we directed your attention to the Cylesomatic event scheduled in and around the Oak Cliff during early October. But now it's but days away, which is why Angela Hunt just posted to her blog an invite to "Bike with Me to City Hall on October 7." It's actually the Dallas Bikes to City Hall event planned by the city, Dallas Area Rapid Transit and Bike Friendly Oak Cliff, during which "council members will unveil upcoming projects that embrace future citywide Complete Streets initiatives, and introduce the city's new bicycle coordinator, Max Kalhammer." According to BFOC, Jerry Allen, Delia Jasso, Ann Margolin and Dave Neumann have also RSVP'd. Two words: Photo. Op. Hunt will also speak the following night at the Texas Theatre, where they'll be screening Contested Streets. Writes Hunt: "Dallas currently has the dubious distinction of being the 'Worst City in the US for Bicycling,' but we're working to change that."

Speaking of Cyclesomatic, this looks more my speed than a ride to City Hall -- the October 3 "Hellhound on My Trail" ride that will ...

... take us through downtown Dallas and into the cradle of Dallas music history, "Deep Ellum". From there, we'll head over to 508 Park Avenue where the legendary Robert Johnson recorded, through the Cedars area to Bob Wills' Longhorn Ballroom, across the scenic Corinth Street bridge, and onto the stomping grounds of T-Bone Walker. We'll stop in the Bishop Arts for drinks, and end our tour passing Methodist Hospital, birthplace of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

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according to texas auto manual, bikers can use an entire lane if they wish.
Dallas is the worst city ever.. I call it the DUMB one because all of our sister cities around us are outgrowing.. outplanning.. and out playing Dallas. Here's a list: 1. Dallas - Laura Miller decides NOT to put any city money into the Cowboys stadium. They could have demolished an old 1940's delapitated neighborhood... Instead, Arlington steps in.. offers assistance.. the city backs it. they build up the area.. they bring a ton of revenue for businesses in Arlington NOT Dallas.. 2. Homeless Parks - Dallas builds two multi-million dollar parks.. that are used for what? HOMELESS PEOPLE.. they are the only ones who hang out at parks.. there are no tennis courts.. no basketball courts.. no biking trail.. nope.. just ur everyday multi-million dollar park with chess..woopdee. 3. The bridge to nowhere.. they are pumping in a ton of money to build a bridge that goes nowhere.. meanwhile - the police dept has to take a 5% pay cut to meet budget demands.. 4. Victory Park - they build a massive W hotel.. new arena.. and a chance to bring tourists in.. and have the residents a place to go.. instead, they fill it up with women's clothing boutiques that are now out of business and posh restaurants that noone really goes to.. FAIL! 5. Dart Rail - mismanagement of funds cause them to increase fairs to DOUBLE that of any city.. so now, it's $4 to ride the dart rail.. unheard of.. especially for something that is supposed to save people money.. 6. City Officials - Does anyone find it odd that the city officials OWN more land around their city development projects that they vote on? I mean - the one who will be turning that land over in a few years is the city official.. profiting millions! 7. The Opera House - $300 Million Dollars.. No Onsite Restaurant.. No Bars.. 4 Urinals in the Bathroom.. FAIL! 8. Megachurch - The mayor's church in downtown gets a special deal to buy buildings in Downtown.. to quadruple the size of his church.. Will this bring tourists and visitors into the city? NOPE! More city officials earmarks.. Dallas = Dumb City!
What about helmets? Has the city repealed its asinine helmet law?
...sharing the road with cyclists is just another of the things that those pesky french do better than us (with exception to portland).
I think it's a regional/mindset thing. Major college towns are much more aware of cyclists as are cities that stress public transportation. This area is not either of those. Hell, most of Preston Rd. doesn't even have sidewalks.
>>>>>Homegirl went OFF for ten minutes straight on how much she hates cyclists. It was a stunning diatribe. Clearly we need to keep organizing these events so that the haters will begin to hate a little less. Yes, of course, because it couldn't possibly be anything cyclists have done to cause homegirl to hate now could it? No, them simple redneck folk just need them some edgamacatin'.
I have it on real good authority that Alexis Carrington attend Highland Park schools (I'm Married to Mrs C) This time not so rednecky, just typical elistist/conservative "you're in my way and a hinderance to me and my white, priveledged, selfish arrogant "existance".
Where should I move?
@Deep Ellum: The thing is, it's illegal to ride against the flow of traffic. In my opinion, it's also more unsafe than riding with the flow.
Depending upon the redneck quotient, which varies from locale to locale, from a defensive standpoint is is sometimes best to ride against the flow on the side in order to "look off" those who like to shave the rider with their mirrors. It has been my experience that people who like to "teach a biker a lesson today" do not weave toward a biker who is looking at their eyes.
My mind is constantly blown on how much rage there is for riders. Was at a high school reunion event on Thursday night, sitting at a table of four, and a former friend asked me what I like doing these days. I told her, riding bikes with my friends in Oak Cliff. Homegirl went OFF for ten minutes straight on how much she hates cyclists. It was a stunning diatribe. Clearly we need to keep organizing these events so that the haters will begin to hate a little less. The entire 10-day Cyclesomatic event is action packed. Come ride with us and have fun. xx http://www.cyclesomatic.us/
Hey, you're ALL right: the same drivers who don't respect crosswalks (yes, you Lakewood commuters who cross Peak & Gaston) won't respect a cyclist either. Of course, any city that'd write the lane-competition rule for drivers and cyclists is just itchin' to watch the results, not help either. Of course, if my neighbor (who'll read this) could stop darting the wrong way down our 3-lane one-way street (the middle, no less) maybe some of you would treat cyclists better. I can't speak to my driving the wrong way; hey, it's my neighborhood. We built you a billion-dollar track through the lush Carroll/Thornton Expressway corridor.
lupe: By law, bicyclists are entitled to the use of the full lane, however, we are supposed to ride as far to the right as is safe and practicable. We're also entitled to ride two abreast. Sometimes the safest place to ride in a lane is right now the center. Sometimes the safest place is closer to the left edge of the lane. The person in the car actually has two choices: To swerve into oncoming traffic, or to slow down until it's safe to pass. It's not like the cyclist(s) are suddenly in front of you. You can see they're there as you approach them from behind. I almost always show courtesy to drivers. The times when I don't are when the drivers behave in an unsafe manner, and show me discourtesy first. Like the time I chased down a woman in a SUV who nearly smeared me on the road by making an illegal right hand turn in front of me. She clearly saw that I was there, because she had to change from the right lane (behind me) into the left lane in order to be able to cut me off, nearly killing me. When I confronted her, asking her what the hell she was thinking, she just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. You should also not lump every single cyclist into one group of discourteous a-holes simply because of a small handful of riders. I don't think all car drivers are jackasses simply because of the woman in the SUV.
"Most cyclists are not hit by cars because the cyclists fail to obey traffic laws or ride recklessly; but because auto drivers fail to leave room when passing a cyclist" Uh, yeah, if a car "fails to leave room", it's because people on bikes insist on riding down the middle of the lane or taking up the entire lane if there are two or three people on bikes. The person in the car has no choice but to swerve into oncoming traffic because people on bikes insist on riding "aggressively". Start showing some courtesy to drivers and maybe you'll receive some in return.
The DMV training manual says that helmets are not required by law in texas. The city has an enforced helmet ordinance. Which law is controlling? State or local?
May I recommend switching from craptastic aluminum and composite frames to steel? Steel is real.
Tell motorists they will only start to gain the respect of cyclists after they stop killing folks. I don't fathom how drivers get their panties all wadded up over cyclists on the road, but hardly bat an eye when a wrong way, distracted, or otherwise clueless driver takes out themselves and other innocent people. Is just accepted? Or is everyone desensitized to it?
I am a motorist and a cyclist; therefore, I appreciate the exchange above. However, a few facts must be noted. Bicycles and autos are both machines that people can legally ride on the roads, but cyclists are by far the more vulnerable of the two, even though they have a much broader field of vision and bicycles can be stopped more quickly and in a shorter distance than autos. Most cyclists are not hit by cars because the cyclists fail to obey traffic laws or ride recklessly; but because auto drivers fail to leave room when passing a cyclist. This is usally due to inattention, but sometimes is from anger and aggression. In a collision, there's no contest. No matter what a cyclist does or fails to do, the burden is on drivers to pay attention, slow when necessary, and give cyclists some space.
As a cyclist, I personally signal my lane changes using proper signaling, but that still hasn't stop two cars from trying to plow over me in the past month. Forgive me for cycling a bit more aggressive, but I already know of one person paralyzed after being clipped riding his bike and I don't have any plans on following suit.
Screw you ignorantlander!
Wear your helmets and Don't Bike Drunk!
Tell cyclists they will only start to gain the respect of motorists after they begin to follow the same rules. That means you can't jump to the front of a line at an intersection by weaving in between 2 lanes of cars. That means you can't blow through a red light or a stop sign without even a hesitation. That means you need to signal your turns or lane changes just like drivers in the cars (well, about 20% of them, anyway).
Is there any chance we can talk Angela into riding on the handle bars of the Mayor's pinstriped bike while "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" plays in the background?