re: Bike lane controversy on Glenmore Ave in BR

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Many bikers have an arrogant attitude of entitlement.

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A Chemistry professor who lives on the bike lane posted a very good perspective last week.
Basically called the Cycling Activists a bunch of immature children when referring to their sidewalk chalk messages scribbled in the street.

At the end of the day, there's a ghost bike on Perkins that is, in part, a constant reminder of the entitlement attitude of cyclists.

Removing bikes lanes would be a very backwards thing to do.

I just got back from a week in Chattanooga and first time seeing bike boxes in person in the downtown area. Seemed to work great (probably because there were so many cyclists in town), but they really are engaged in an education campaign.

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Bike Boxes are an intersection safety design at signalized intersections to prevent collisions between cyclists and turning vehicles. The benefits of bike boxes include providing increased visibility of bicyclists, particularly to right turning motorists, and positioning bicyclists to clear an intersection quickly, minimizing impediment to other traffic. - See more at: https://www.chattanooga.gov/transportation/transportation-resources/bicycling#sthash.vhGU2dEM.dpuf

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Bicycles are to be expected on all Chattanooga streets as part of our transportation network. - See more at: https://www.chattanooga.gov/transportation/transportation-resources/bicycling#sthash.vhGU2dEM.dpuf

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Bike Lanes are dedicated lanes for bikes. Vehicular traffic is prohibited in bike lanes and must yield to cyclist when crossing a bike lane when necessary turn. This is the preferred bike facility used where road width allows.

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Shared Lanes are travel lanes shared by motorists and cyclists. While cyclists are permitted and should be expected on all City streets, Shared Lanes facilities are part of Chattanooga's bike route system - See more at: https://www.chattanooga.gov/transportation/transportation-resources/bicycling#sthash.vhGU2dEM.dpuf

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this whole thing is about the Bikers' sense of entitlement. If they didn't resort to gestapo type BS like calling the cops to write tickets, we wouldn't be here. ride around the damn parked car and ride safely.

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The cyclists really shot themselves in the foot on this one. If they lanes do get removed, it will set a precedent for other streets to do the same (i.e. Kenilworth Blvd). All of the work that numerous special interest groups have done over the past 10 years to grow this type of alternative transportation culture will start to dwindle.

As an example, look at the plans CPEX had drawn up ( LINK) for the entire Webb Park area. It was going to totally transform the look of the neighborhood, increasing property values even more. Who will even try to make a change in the neighborhood if the ONE bike lane that is there now is removed.

I understand both sides of the issue, as my parents live in the neighborhood (not on Glenmore) and routinely have to park a car on the street. I think the best compromise, short of having dedicated parking on the median would be to allow short term parking for residents in the bike lanes along residential streets. This would allow officers the discretion of writing tickets when there was a legitimate safety issue instead of when someone is having a party at their house or something.

The key is, both sides needed to communicate better on this, and not jump to harsh conclusions (like wanting tickets issued because of bitterness, or removing the bike lanes completely).

In the city as a whole, we need better transportation options for traveling short distances (under 3 miles). Removing bike lanes anywhere is not the solution. A network of bike lanes can entice people to get some exercise to the grocery/drug store instead of getting in a car and contributing to traffic.

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this whole thing is about the Bikers' sense of entitlement

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Why is it not about the entitlement of the person breaking the law?

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nd before anybody calls me a truck driving redneck, got a carbon trek in the garage so im just as much a "cyclist" as any of this cycling gestapo

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I've got a big belt buckle and a huge sombrero but I ain't a mexican cowboy

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But again, this didn't become an issue until the biking community decided to request BRPD to ticket them before asking them to move or putting flyers on vehicles letting them know it was actually illegal.

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lets be honest here, this is probably caused by a very small group of hipsters that dream of BR being Austin

lets not start the "biking community" nonsense as if all bikers are like this

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A few things: the "lane" was originally created when they striped Glenmore to narrow the vehicle travel lane and add speed humps. A few years after, the city added bike lane paintings/signs but did not include "no parking" signs.

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All lived in harmony, until 2-3 months ago.

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As I said earlier, I've used Glenmore for over 6 years...outside of someone having a party, there are very few vehicles ever parked in the lanes; and are usually there for a short period of time (lawn care, home repair, delivery trucks, etc.)

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I've driven, walked, jogged, biked and probably staggered all over that area for over 50 years and never had a problem. If the cyclists would consider what actually happens in the area this would not be much of a concern. Simply go around the occasional (and it is occasional) parked vehicle as every other person/driver does. I come into my neighborhood on any given day and drive around lawn people, plumbers, neighbors having friends over for a birthday or game and I don't immediately call the cops for illegal parking.

I'm a somewhat bike rider but I'm also a person of reason and logic and common sense and the bike riders are stirring the pot here.

I don't see anyone complaining about cars parking in front of houses on Longwood, Ingleside, Richland, Steele Blvd and all have just as much bike, walker, stroller, pedestrian traffic as Glenmore.

I'm all for designated bike lanes, building more and improving the city to be more bike friendly but the bikers have to come to the table as well and leave the bad attitude at the house.

I have property in East Feliciana that I visit several times a week and I am very careful about the bikes that are out because they are not very careful or conscience of me.

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I totally see that bikers can be inconsiderate sometimes

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I agree. Drivers and cyclists (and just about every sub group on the planet) are inconsiderate at times. It isn't al cyclists and it isn't all drivers but the only way it works is if both sides want it to work.