Bike Walk Connecticut reports that this morning’s Bike to Work Day had the highest participation to date, with nearly 700 Connecticut cyclists pledging to ride. The Old State House was one of the 25 locations statewide hosting a Bike to Work Day event.
Not reflected in this record number: how many walked to work this morning. Some pedestrians stopped by the Old State House for the breakfast event and expressed a desire for more outreach to this particular community, many of whom live right in Downtown.
Jennifer S.
Why do these pedestrians desire more outreach? Not criticizing, just don’t quite understand.
Josh LaPorte
Jennifer S., I can only speak for myself, but I am a walker and feel, essentially, left out. Bicycling is seen as an act of social virtue. Biking to work is celebrated and encouraged. I’ve seen lots of improvements in infrastructure for and awareness of biking. There is, quite simply, none of this attention focused on walking.
Having gone through (short) phases of getting around on a bike, I’ve seen the attitude from both perspectives. When I bike, people are interested and impressed. When I walk, no one really notices or cares. You could just be walking from your parked car. Biking carries something of an obvious commitment which I suppose walking does not convey.
Personally, I love the speed and convenience of the bike, but I hate fighting cars for space on the road and I will not ride on pedestrian pathways because that is one of my biggest pet peeves. I have never developed any confidence on a bike and get flummoxed by simple bike maintenance needs. In the end, it makes getting around fast but somewhat less convenient so I always end up back on foot.
The truth is that walkers have totally failed to organize, and bikers seem to have been fairly successful at organizing themselves to voice their needs and concerns. I applaud Bike Walk Connecticut for their work. From what little I’ve observed, it doesn’t seem that walking is really part of their agenda, but I’m sure that could change if walkers chose to become involved with the organization.
I will stop writing now as I have flagrantly violated the brevity requirement of comments on this blog. I am not sure if I’ve articulated this well but I think many walkers harbor some resentment regarding the status of the bicycle in the transportation hierarchy.
Jennifer S.
Ok, but with the exception of the Flower St. debacle (which technically isn’t “downtown”), what is it that pedestrians need? Again, not criticizing, just looking for details. I do a lot of walking, in addition to my biking. The only inconvenience that comes to mind is unshoveled sidewalks. Rarely do you see cars on sidewalks, while cars driving in the bike lane on Capitol Ave. is a daily occurrence.
I’m also not exactly sticking up for Bike Walk Connecticut. They seem to concentrate on multi-use paths. Personally, I can’t stand those. There are always too many dogs walking their people, kids in strollers, and other obstacles. I’ve been biking to work since the spring of 2000 (though three of those years were outside of Connecticut). My commute has ranged from two miles to ten each way. The roads haven’t exactly become much safer in that time. In fact, if you factor in cell phone usage, they’ve become worse.
So, I guess what I’m saying is, don’t be too jealous. 🙂
Josh LaPorte
I definitely see your point. I have a list of complaints but they are generally minor, most boiling down to lack of respect for walking, and much of that holds true equally for biking. Car drivers are jerks to walkers and bikers alike. Many things that would make walkers safer will also assist bikers, and vice versa.
And yes, unshoveled sidewalks are a major inconvenience and aggravation, especially when the parking areas are beautifully cleared and the sidewalks are untouched.
Richard
I see bikes on the sidewalk all the time. Very few even have a warning bell and just sneak up behind a person walking. Some days if I had a big stick the bike and biker would be on the ground. So what are some of the inconveniences, how about uneven sidewalks, cars turning on walk lights, dog shit, right turn on red, foul weather, folks looking for change, exhaust fumes from little one to a car pigglets destroying the planet as they go, ah whats the sense of going on none of this will be corrected.
Josh LaPorte
Yes, bikes on the sidewalk are a pet peeve of mine. I am especially annoyed with bikes on the sidewalk in Bushnell Park, I am fine with bikes on park roadways (as in Keney, Elizabeth, etc.) but not with bikes on what are clearly pedestrian sidewalks. Unsafe and inconvenient for bicyclists and pedestrians both.
Rich H.
I’m with most of the comments here, but I can’t agree with the notion that the pathways in Hartford parks are “clearly” pedestrian only. Not only is it legal to ride bikes in Hartford city parks (see link below), but as of now, the East Coast Greenway passes through Bushnell Park.
As always, I expect all vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians to share common spaces respectfully.
http://beatbikeblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/legalized-it.html
Richard
I am talking about city sidewalks. You can ride all you want in the parks but ring your bell or toot your horn or at least yell coming through on the left or right.
Kerri Provost
From those I spoke with, I think it was a matter of recognition. They walk nearly every day. One said she bikes when she doesn’t walk…opts to walk because it’s more of a work out. I think it’s just a matter of inclusion.
Kerri Provost
But nobody stopped walkers from helping themselves to the refreshments.
Josh LaPorte
Yes! Recognition. Perfectly stated.
Richard
I could care less if anyone gives me recognition. I do not seek it. I love to walk as one sees far more then when you are speeding by on bike or in a car. I walk because I can not drive a bike or car. Or I take a bus if I need too. I didn’t know that there was breakfast on bike to work day but of course I am not of the middle class who can come to work as they choose. Nope my job starts at 7:00 and I had better be there. I know 2 guys who work in my building one is a dishwasher and the other a janitor. Both bike to work all the time and both missed breakfast because they had to be to work at 7 also. Hey and one has a bell and the other a horn on their bikes.
Now if all of you bikers could convince the little pigglets who drive into the city one to a car to stop it, move your butts off the sidewalk, and ring a bell or toot a horn when you approach then maybe I would love you more.
Josh LaPorte
Yes!