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The Grim Reality of Urban Bicyclists

Started by Mark Schoneveld · 8 months ago

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about bike safety in the city lately. Recently, a bicyclist in my neighborhood, George Gonzalez, got crushed by a bus just two blocks from my house at a spot that I bike past dozens of times a month. And this morning, I’m reading ... Continue reading »

6 comments

  • Enumclaw

    1 year ago

    That's all great, and sad, and wonderful buddy, but what I want to know is, when are you joining ULTIMATE BLOGGER 3?!?!?
    reply
  • Jen Simmons

    1 year ago

    I don't bike because of safety. I can't afford for my laptop to be damaged in a spill. I can't afford to hurt my right arm or hand, or be in a hospital. Especially as a person who works for myself, and moves through the world in a body that's closing in on 40 years old... Riding in Philly is quite risky. I do sometimes, but its not my primary mode of transportation. I use to love to ride everywhere on campus in college - on paths with no cars. Almost no one else biked, but I rode everywhere. Even when the brakes fell off my bike! But now? In city traffic? Forget it!
    reply
  • Jimmy CraicHead

    1 year ago

    Thanks for this sad post. I ride thru Uni of Penn everyday and do it without a helmet (stupid old school). At a certain hairy turn, half the drivers are on a cell phone with just one hand on the wheel. Tomorrow I start using the helmet.
    reply
  • magdalenus

    1 year ago

    @ enumclaw - thanks for the tip, pal.

    @ Jen - I hear ya... and Fishtown, esp. ain't safe. I hate riding up and down Girard Ave. It's one of the worst.

    @ Jimmy - I ride without a helmet, too, honestly. I really should, tho. Bad move not to. I might go buy one soon, too.
    reply
  • taylor

    1 year ago

    That's just awful.

    Even though Philly is crowded, the pavement sucks, and bike lanes are few, I haven't had any major scares riding my bike around the city . Oh, no, wait. I had a SEPTA bus insist on passing me on the narrow, car-lined 3rd St. right above Market. I nearly fell over and was burned by exhaust.
    reply
  • magdalenus

    1 year ago

    Getting squeezed by a SEPTA bus is the worst, that's for sure. I wish the drivers would get it. It's like, "Dude! We're on the same team!" But that's not how they think, unfortunately, eh?
    reply

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