people don't bike in calgary

[8baller8]

calgary isn't a city where people bike to work a lot of the time. it's not like montreal/toronto. when I was there, I saw tons of people biking as part of their commute to and from work. Calgary just isn't like that.

So why the hell do we have so many bike lanes? Yes mad.

[Thomas Gabriel]

Originally posted by 8baller8
calgary isn't a city where people bike to work a lot of the time. it's not like montreal/toronto. when I was there, I saw tons of people biking as part of their commute to and from work. Calgary just isn't like that.

So why the hell do we have so many bike lanes? Yes mad.

Because Nenshi wants us to become bikers. Don't like riding a bike in -25? Actually enjoy driving? Doesn't matter, you're a dumb redneck and Nenshi knows what's best.

[speedog]

One sees what they wish to see.

When I used to cycle commute (downtown as well as NE Princess Auto area), I saw lots of cyclists. If I happen to be in rush hour on 10th Street NW, I still see quite a few cyclists - same goes for 2nd Street NW..

Now that doesn't mean that I am an advocate for cycle lanes as I got along without them quite fine and in some cases, I think some of the existing one (Northland Drive NW mess) and future ones (Northmount Drive NW - whole length) are ridiculous.

Now I understand that there's maybe a safety factor to be looked at with dedicated cycle lanes but at the same time, if you ride smart and pick your riding locations wisely then safety isn't much of an issue. Cycle commuting downtown on 2nd Street NW is not that big of a deal and is actually better now with some of the roundabouts they put in place of stop signs but, you'll always get those fools (yes, I'll call them that) who figure riding on Centre Street or on the Louise Bridge is a great idea.

[Sugarphreak]

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[msommers]

Where's dat dead horse at? I just picked me up a new Louisville

[Sugarphreak]

...

[msommers]

I feel like wood is traditional and give me more street cred.

[speedog]

Originally posted by Thomas Gabriel
Because Nenshi wants us to become bikers. Don't like riding a bike in -25? Actually enjoy driving? Doesn't matter, you're a dumb redneck and Nenshi knows what's best.

Calagry's bicycle policy circa July 14, 2008 - link.

Nenshi became mayor October 25, 2010 - link.

Yeah, I know, I know, the big blue ring is Nenshi's fault as well and probably the mess that is Deerfoot, the 2013 floods and the stray cat that is wandering around in my back yard as well.

[FixedGear]

Before I moved to Calgary, I used to commute via bicycle and would only use my car for grocery trips and long-distance travel.

I moved to Calgary and stopped commuting because Calgary roads SUCK for cyclists. It's hands down the worst city for cyclists that I've ever lived in. I lived there for about 10 years, and can count on one hand the number of times I cycled to work.

Since moving out of Calgary a couple of years ago, I am once again commuting almost exclusively by bike. I've only driven to work about 10 times, and then only because I had to haul something in the car.

[8baller8]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
Aluminum or wood? I like the sound of wood, but aluminum just does so much more damage

8baller8 is just in a post creating mood

haha, right you are.

[Sugarphreak]

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[speedog]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
No worries, I am a post whore so it gives me an outlet, haha

The way I read your post is that Nenshi has been Mayor for 4 years... yet he is responsible for nothing based on technicalities

Nah, it was sort of tongue in cheek except the cat thing, that's his fault and well, maybe some of the other stuff too.

[8baller8]

Originally posted by FixedGear
Before I moved to Calgary, I used to commute via bicycle and would only use my car for grocery trips and long-distance travel.

I moved to Calgary and stopped commuting because Calgary roads SUCK for cyclists. It's hands down the worst city for cyclists that I've ever lived in. I lived there for about 10 years, and can count on one hand the number of times I cycled to work.

Since moving out of Calgary a couple of years ago, I am once again commuting almost exclusively by bike. I've only driven to work about 10 times, and then only because I had to haul something in the car.

what makes them bad out of curiosity?

[Sugarphreak]

..

[rx7_turbo2]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
Nenshi is a very reactive mayor... something happens that was a relic of past councils, then he speaks up. It would be nice if he was more proactive… like at the very beginning when he was going to look into way to save the city money, he cancelled flower service and gave Enmax a stern talking to.

Too bad it took him all of 3 months to fall into the ruts of past mayors.

He's like every politician, he's happy to tell people what he thinks they want to hear.

We have an incredibly vocal minority in this city, who's views on what they want the city to be are completely unrealistic, and a Mayor/Council who seem more than willing to cater to the nonsense.

[suntan]

Gee, I used to live in Brentwood and University Heights, I biked all the time. Didn't have a car until I was 23. Also when I lived near 14St and 11Ave SW. Very easy.

I always thought it was really easy to bike here. Lots of bike paths and quite side streets that run parallel to major routes. Also there's not very many bicyclists in the first place so that made it even easier.

[suntan]

Originally posted by rx7_turbo2
He's like every politician, he's happy to tell people what he thinks they want to hear.

We have an incredibly vocal minority in this city, who's views on what they want the city to be are completely unrealistic, and a Mayor/Council who seem more than willing to cater to the nonsense.

That's the problem with Twitter, it's an echo chamber and it's far too easy to block people that don't agree with you.

[BigMass]

summer rolls around and people forget that in another 3-4 months we'll be back to snow. In warmer climates or dense cities biking is great. In Calgary not so much. If Calgary really wants less people to stop driving, for our climate, the only thing that will be effective is a subway system that connects suburbs and filters into downtown. Look at what an effect even the Ctrain has. If I lived near a ctrain station I would take that. A lot of people drive because there are no other viable options. Subways are just so awesome and let you get around quickly without a car. It's time Calgary looks into that IMO

[rx7_turbo2]

Originally posted by suntan
That's the problem with Twitter, it's an echo chamber and it's far too easy to block people that don't agree with you.

This.

[suntan]

Now Nenshi's Facebook page... What a hot mess. Lots of pissed off people on there.