In a general sort of way I learn that Portland is planning to spend $613 million on bicycling over the next 20 years. Details are few, the picture uninspiring.
Hopefully, some bike paths will be built, and doing some painting of lanes is probably a good idea. But my idea of making bicycle commuting more attractive is simple- make sure the riders are not run over by cars when they use their legal half lane on any street, and give them someplace to shower and change clothes after their ride to work.
This, obviously, is a little harder to accomplish than just sending out the painting crews you already have to paint some more. But it also has the potential to unlock the powers of the individual cyclist and use all of the streets we already own.
And how hard would it really be? Build a shower and locker room each year in some major institution. Spend a million a year paying police officers to ride around on bicycles ticketing rude drivers (and get the benefits of more police monitoring the streets from eye level).
Or- perhaps the most direct approach- simply dictate that everyone employed in the Portland projects ride a bicycle to work.
Because it’s hard to escape the impression that Portland could spend $613 million and most of it could go to people who drove to work- and try as they might, people who drive to work are not really going to be understanding the problem. And in a very basic sense, we can’t build a whole new street system for bicyclists. About 20% (or more!) of the city is now street, and that’s a significant cut of the tax base. It’s not a liability we can duplicate, and not an asset we can waste. Put some kind of cap on how much of the money is going to be used for painted lanes, pamphlets, and classes on safe bicycling. And make sure you spend part of the money on something that actually makes a difference for an actual rider. Is that too much to ask?
I like the idea of bike commuter showers. But until we get them I’d like to point out an obvious fact that few seem to recognize. You don’t need to wear spandex and sweat to get to work on a bike. For years now I’ve ridden to work wearing work clothes. I don’t sweat because I keep my heart rate about equal to that of walking. Hills take a bit longer, but with the magic of gears even moderate hills can be managed without raising my heart rate much.
For the way home I do put on my bike clothes and make it a real workout. But I have a shower at home, so it’s not a big deal.
For a lot of people, that would work. Some people, though, want or need to look absolutely top-notch, and don’t want to risk pricey shoes and clothing to chain grease, puddles, or other road hazards. Other people may work closely with others in a small space where a total lack of body odor (and cologne, thank you) is appreciated.
And when you solve this one, you’ve also solved the rain problem, and you can dependably cycle all year. This, in turn, gives another bonus- you always know just how long your commute will take. No traffic jams, no hunting for parking. Eventually, it just gets easier to cycle than to drive.
Hey now, I have a lack of body odor after biking. But you’re absolutely right about the rain, and I’d add to your list those who bike far enough away where speed (and therefore sweat) is essential for a reasonable commute time.
It routinely takes me 30+ minutes to get to work on the bus, or around 10 on my bike (even at my slow sweat-free speed). It would take about as long to drive, but you’re right about parking – a pay lot (the only option downtown) can take 10 minutes just to leave at rush hour.
Yeah, one thing that kills you around here is the threatening sky. Is it going to rain or not? But if you’re going to arrive at a locker with a fresh change of clothes waiting, it doesn’t matter if the heavens open and you get drenched. Of course, putting on the wet clothes for the ride home in the evening can be a bit disheartening, but all is healed with about ten minutes of fast riding.