askchapo

Yeah. I'm extremely lucky that there's a lot of options where I am that aren't a painted bicycle gutter. I still end up on those roads all the time, but it'll usually be less than half of my trip distance so when I'm in one its easier to keep my guard up. I'm also just getting really comfortable riding in mixed traffic on calm side streets tbh, because there's enough critical mass of bikers where I am that outright rage at a cyclist "in their way", on streets that aren't main streets or highways, seems to be uncommon. But where possible I do love a good separated path or lane. We have a variety, some totally off street, some on street but 2 way and parking-protected, or curb-protected. Some are at sidewalk level, especially in the CBD, which I have mixed feelings about but is great protection from drivers and doors. And of course lots of legacy painted bicycle gutters too

Like yesterday I had to go across town to pick up a package from an unusual pickup location. I went like:

• 3 blocks in my neighborhood (2 with a basic bike lane, one without),
• got onto a sort of unofficial trail (technically private property but is widely used as a walking/biking connector due to its prime location), took that half a mile,
• connected up to a walking/biking trail (with its own bridge), another half mile,
• got on a curb protected 2 way lane, took that a few blocks,
• spent ~3 blocks on regular side streets with no lanes,
• got on a rail trail thingy that took me another mile and a half,
• got off onto a stroad with a painted gutter, took that 1-2 blocks
• pulled into the enormous shopping center parking lot, locked up my bike and went in.

3-4 miles total. And the most dangerous bit in that entire journey genuinely might have been the parking lot at the end, though the side streets between the bridge and the rail trail are pretty bustling (but very low speed).

Plenty of journeys are much worse than that example (venturing into most suburbs is a mixed bag) but like, the whole metro area is honestly much better than the national average and I still get people here acting like its suicide. I'd rather live with the risk than let my (un)happiness be dictated to me by amorphous, ill-defined fear. I know so many people with chronic injuries (whiplash, concussion, back problems, etc) from car accidents, but they don't just stop driving cars, even though they've been hurt by them and know how bad they are for the planet and society. It's dictated by social norms and going with the flow much more than most people like to admit, so they rationalize. It can be exhausting going against the flow, but its worth it