Raise the Hammer

Let me return the favour:

"My point was that it is contradictory for those of you who criticize the city for half-measures to then turn around and propose what some would also describe as a half-measure."

But it is not contradictory and inconsistent for you to champion incremental change and then turn around and oppose incremental change?

But you're also wrong, IMHO. A King St. lane from the Delta to the downtown would be very different from the lane that just starts and stops intermittently along York St., for example. Because it would stop and start at natural points: Where King and Main meet to the gates of the downtown. It would, in fact, be much closer to a complete route than any other I've had the privilege to ride so far.

"You hit on something here which I don't think you intended. You are already riding on King and Main! So frankly, it sounds as if you fall into the "Strong and Fearless" category of cyclists."

No, really, I'm the old and tired. I have tried to cycle Canon, the Chedoke Trail, and through the downtown. But mine is an 8k commute along King. King is actually safer than Canon which has very poor pavement, fast drivers, and what I refer to as "Hamilton parking" in the right lane. Hamilton parking is the habit of parking a foot or more away from the curb forcing cyclists to move into the next lane over.

The simple fact of the matter is that after trying numerous routes I failed to find a better one than King across the city. The Chedoke Trail carries me way out of my way and there is no good access from Ottawa St.(or to Ottawa St.). Through the downtown adds time to my route and forces me to contend with sometimes more aggressive drivers coming out of Corktown much of which wants to turn right forcing me to stay back and costing me yet more time.

" Lines on the pavement on King or Main would not be enough to get folks to consider cycling regularly."

And you base that on what? The number of cyclist currently using King and Main without the benefit of "lines"?

"A point that Ryan has also made on several occasions in the past is that when modelling or anticipating travel behaviour, there is much more to consider than just the most direct route."

Did he say that about cyclists? If he did, I missed it. Cars, if they want a different route, turn the wheel and press on the gas. The human piloting a car uses no more energy to drive 10k as 8k. But, guess what, when your cycling, it makes a difference. It makes a difference in time, sweat, and energy, and maybe the difference as to whether it is really worth it.

"a separated two-way cycle track on Cannon will most likely a) generate new trips, and b) steal trips from other less favourable routes."

I agree that's true for people who live along the route but I truly doubt it is true for others. If you're suggesting that I'll be happy to brave Cannon from Ottawa to Sherman just to lose the lane and have to face the hill to Dundurn and race for my life while checking over my shoulder for the truck or car bearing down on me as I cross from curb lane to left turn lane, you're wrong. It is faster, safer, and more direct for me to just continue on King as I do now. And I think you would need to provide something other than warm and fuzzy feelings to support your contention.

"I also think the LRT plan supercedes any other proposals for King, which deserves some due respect and attention from contributors here considering RTH has been such a strong proponent of the LRT plans."

A transportation plan that fails to accommodate along the same routes all alternative means of transportation is not a plan at all.

RTH has consistently supported "compete streets", streets that are welcoming and safe for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and cars. To argue for a transit lane that will force other users off the road onto less desirable routes is simply failure in the making.

Let's be clear about who I am. I am an avid supporter of transit, cycling, walking, safe streets, placemaking, and the urban environment as a place for people. And if I am to understand that to have a form of rapid transit in Hamilton I, as a cyclist, am to be excluded from the routes I use which are best suited for allowing me a safe, convenient, and timely commute, then it doesn't have my support. And if a transit plan begins without the support of someone like me, then it is in big trouble already.

I'm glad you're enjoying the debate, as am I.

Comment edited by ViennaCafe on 2013-10-30 23:44:46