78 replies to this topic

[Austin55]

Yesterday when I visited the Parkview Village construction I saw a few people ride through the development. A few minutes later as I was leaving and turning onto Oakhurst Scenic there was a car stopped and one of the riders I had just seen was laying with his bike on the side of the road in the grass and a few people were around him. I'm not sure if he'd gotten hit or just crashed. The accident was at Embrey & Oakhurst Scenic. 

[Volare]

Yesterday when I visited the Parkview Village construction I saw a few people ride through the development. A few minutes later as I was leaving and turning onto Oakhurst Scenic there was a car stopped and one of the riders I had just seen was laying with his bike on the side of the road in the grass and a few people were around him. I'm not sure if he'd gotten hit or just crashed. The accident was at Embrey & Oakhurst Scenic. 

 

We must have been passing at the same time as I was heading to SMU for the game. I too saw the rider being attended to by a couple of folks. Not sure what was going on there.

[John T Roberts]

One of my good friends who helped me out when I was in the hospital, and some afterwards, was attempting to ride cross country on his road bike and he hit a 2 inch vertical lip on some pavement and went over the handlebars yesterday.  He broke his nose and cut his face up pretty bad. This occurred in Trinity Park.

[Doohickie]

This occurred in Trinity Park.

 

At one of the bridges on the stone path on the west side of the park (near University)?

[Volare]

I noted they recently aggressively edged the pavement in the Park and other trails along the Trinity. Could easily swallow a bike tire.

[John T Roberts]

This happened near the main shelter building on 7th, just west of the river.

[johnfwd]

Good to be forewarned about the landscaping in this area, especially if traversing at night.  Here's an early morning annoyance:  I ride my bike northward along the Trails during the dark of pre-dawn morning (around 4:00).  Some mornings while approaching the bridges there's a parked police car with its headlights pointing south.  One morning it caused such a glare in my eyes, I ran my bike off the Trails and was almost injured.  I guess the cop is parked there for some security reason.

[johnfwd]

Follow-up:  The cop must have read the previous post (or read my mind).  Last Tuesday early a.m. I approached the same spot and the car had the angle of its headlights turned slightly away from the Trails so there was not so much glare and I passed by safely.

[Volare]

There is a new app called "BikeMaps" that is useful for flagging problem areas. Our trail system isn't fully integrated yet in the Fort Worth maps, but crowdsourced Strava data helps show where folks ride the most. Julia Ryan was the one who pointed out this app exists, so the City knows about it too, and can presumably help get any problem areas addressed.

[Austin55]

A humorous take on the matter.

 

[johnfwd]

Hate to do this to Buffalo, but have to ask:  Does anyone know how long you can ride the Trails on a balding back tire? 

[Doohickie]

wut?

[johnfwd]

I rode my bike along 10th street this morning and noticed that the new sidewalks are in and there are newly installed pedestrian signal lights at Forest Park Boulevard.  I'll be interested in seeing how this makes for safer pedestrian and bike rider crossing at that location.  I'm a bit concerned that bike riders going down the steep incline toward Forest Park may think the signal controls allow them to keep going through the boulevard instead of stopping.

[rriojas71]

Yeah I noticed the new sidewalk and I was perplexed at the notion that this is any better than what was there before. I guess for pedestrians it may be, but not for bicyclists IMO

[Doohickie]

I rode my bike along 10th street this morning and noticed that the new sidewalks are in and there are newly installed pedestrian signal lights at Forest Park Boulevard.  I'll be interested in seeing how this makes for safer pedestrian and bike rider crossing at that location.  I'm a bit concerned that bike riders going down the steep incline toward Forest Park may think the signal controls allow them to keep going through the boulevard instead of stopping.

 

Why?  Do you think we're too stupid to realize there might be cross traffic when the light is red? 

[johnfwd]

 

I rode my bike along 10th street this morning and noticed that the new sidewalks are in and there are newly installed pedestrian signal lights at Forest Park Boulevard.  I'll be interested in seeing how this makes for safer pedestrian and bike rider crossing at that location.  I'm a bit concerned that bike riders going down the steep incline toward Forest Park may think the signal controls allow them to keep going through the boulevard instead of stopping.

 

Why?  Do you think we're too stupid to realize there might be cross traffic when the light is red? 

 

Yep!

[Doohickie]

[johnfwd]

On a serious note: The terrible terrorist attack on pedestrians and bicyclists using a popular bike path in New York City isn't a hazard any of those bike riders could have avoided.  Got me to thinking whether I could avoid getting struck by a terrorist in a truck driving along the Trinity River Trails.  Possibly.  But not easily traversed by a motor vehicle at most locations because of the steep decline to the river.

[JBB]

That stretch of the bikeway along the West Side Highway is pretty boxed in with curbs and planter boxes to the point where the riders really had nowhere to go. At least along the Trinity, you would have some large open areas to veer into in order to get out of the way. It's a miracle more people weren't killed or injured given the distance that he traveled on the bike path.

[hannerhan]

This is why I never listen to music when running or biking.  Why deprive yourself of a critical safety measure? 

 

Not that these people in NY had a chance (NY is far noisier), but if I'm biking on the trail in FW, I'm going to hear a vehicle coming from behind in all but the windiest of conditions.

 

Lots to think about with that situation.  Bottom line is that there are bad people out there and it's very difficult to keep them from harming others if they're intent on doing so.

[johnfwd]

Back to the subject of NW 10th Street and Forest Park Boulevard.   Upon closer inspection this morning, I noticed that the sign on either side of Forest Park does not have a signal (like a train crossing sign).  Just the word "Pedestrian."  This was very early, in the dark, so someone correct me if I saw wrong.  Also, come to think of it, I don't recall ever seeing pedestrians cross Forest Park Boulevard at this particular location.  Anyone here?

 

Again, I'm glad the city completed the sidewalk upgrade along NW 10th and rehabbed the short stretch of concrete bike lane on the west side of Forest Park Blvd.  Does any other bike rider, besides me, ever cross at this location?

[Doohickie]

Back to the subject of NW 10th Street and Forest Park Boulevard.   Upon closer inspection this morning, I noticed that the sign on either side of Forest Park does not have a signal (like a train crossing sign).  Just the word "Pedestrian."  This was very early, in the dark, so someone correct me if I saw wrong.  Also, come to think of it, I don't recall ever seeing pedestrians cross Forest Park Boulevard at this particular location.  Anyone here?

 

Again, I'm glad the city completed the sidewalk upgrade along NW 10th and rehabbed the short stretch of concrete bike lane on the west side of Forest Park Blvd.  Does any other bike rider, besides me, ever cross at this location?

 

Yes, it's commonly used for riders crossing at the Tilley bridge and going up to downtown (or vice versa).  I know the Night Riders use that crossing a LOT.  It would be improved if there was a light for the crossing.  Most cyclists deal with it fine.  When we do group rides, we set up "corkers" to alert motor traffic that a big group is crossing, but we typically have no problem fitting in between groups of cars.  Still, a light would simplify things and improve the appearance of safety for more casual (infrequent) riders..

[johnfwd]

I've been riding my bike less frequently on the Trinity Trails on account of recent rainy weather and work-related activities.  But early last Wednesday morning, before dawn, I did my pedal commute from the SW Blvd bridge northeast to downtown.  I believe it was at the West Bend development that one of the riverfront restaurants shines a bright glaring light onto the Trail bikeway.  Taken by surprise the light temporarily blinded me.  I almost ran off the bikeway and down the slope toward the river had I not stepped on the brake.  I guess the light is there for security or safety but it is a night-time hazard to northbound bike riders.

[Austin55]

One of the issues I've run into with bike commuting is that during rush hour, you are often as stuck in gridlock as cars. 

 

The sharrows don't help because you are in traffic and unless you want to split lanes (which isn't even legal I don't think) or ride on the sidewalk (again hazardous due to loads of pedestrians and turning cars) you are just going to be stuck between bumpers. 

 

The dedicated lanes that are around are really a nice addition. I usually use Commerce behind the convention center daily, as the lanes there keep cars out of the way and make everything a breeze. I wish they extended past 9th and all the way up the street, or at least to Sundance. Maybe someone has a clever alternative that I don't know about. 

 

It's a simple addition, but I've always been envious of the little raised curbs Dallas has one some of it's bikelanes, like outside the AAC. Would make me feel a lot safer.

[txbornviking]

For 8yrs under of a supposedly "pro-biking" mayor, with the exception of the Trinity Trails, the results are VERY underwhelming.

[Stadtplan]

Woman attacked in Oakmont Park Friday:

https://dfw.cbslocal.com/?p=955752

[Doohickie]

Woman attacked in Oakmont Park Friday:

https://dfw.cbslocal.com/?p=955752

...but not while riding her bike.

[Stadtplan]

 

Woman attacked in Oakmont Park Friday:

https://dfw.cbslocal.com/?p=955752

...but not while riding her bike.

 

I was wondering who would call me out on that one.  I didn't think it was worth its own thread but many of us ride through here often so I thought it was a good place post.  And she had two bigger looking dogs which is really the odd part.  They must have been pretty friendly looking dogs not to have deterred the assailant.  Hopefully they will be able to catch the person.   

[Doohickie]

Yeah... a fair call, and not terribly far off base since a lot of cyclists use that trail.