Busy bike lanes....battling (bike) traffic on the morning commute!

Even us cyclists have to fight traffic during the morning commute. 

Really, it was completely ridiculous....I even had to queue up in line behind this guy at the stop light at Arlington and 1st.  I'm just not used to this level of congestion on my winter commuting days.  I mean really, what is this Portland?  I guess I'll have to come to terms with my belief that the city of Reno and RTC are building these lanes just for me! 

Ha, just kidding.  It was nice to see another winter commuter. 

Wacko Nutso Bike Commissioner.

Sorry you have to watch an add on this one....it's totally worth it.  This chic is playing with the big boys and making a dent in transportation culture!

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Just back from Portland....

This is what it's like to be a cyclist there......

Well, ok, not really.  It's just a comic from the Onion.com (meaning this is satirical folks), but to me it illustrates a pretty funny point with regards to drivers in Reno.  Drivers don't want to be bothered with cyclists using lanes on "their" roads and impeding their speedy progress. 

Now that there are a few bike lanes around Reno, there really are areas where it's faster (and now safer) to get around by bike.  And if your speedy and catch the lights right you really can outpace a car for miles at a time (Mill St. is definitely one)!  You know every time you pass a line of cars queued up and then catch the light as it changes to green this is how they feel!

Traffic!

Well the temperatures have dropped off a little and traffic has been increasing on the river trail!  A statement about increased traffic ending with an exclamation point???  It is a total flip flop from when your trapped in a car stuck in a line of people who are getting angrier by the minute.  My traffic this morning included about 10 people, a patrol car, 5 cyclists, and 4 dogs. 

This does mean a couple things that mirror street or highway traffic.  I had to slow down, yield right of way, and be a tad patient.  Now if only we could remind people in vehicles to do these things!  From the whooping 2 1/2 minutes this added to my commute, I got to chat with an RPD officer who was cajoling some sleeping people out of one of our riverside parks (very politely I might add), I had several cheerful "Good Mornings" thrown my way while passing pedestrians and cyclists, and I got to pet a few amicable pooches!  All in all, a darn good way to start the day while slowed down by traffic.  I hope your commute was as enjoyable.

Do you Ride?

This is view of I-80 east yesterday...this is how I would have gotten to work four or five years ago.  Enough said.  It isn't the only reason, or even the main reason I choose to ride to work.  If you're in one of those cars you ought to give it a try, because right now I'm smiling and you're probably not!  Have a nice commute!