Comments on: Bike Friendly Norfolk: The Map & Explanation

By: Navigacija

Navigacija — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:54:59 +0000

Navigacija…

[...]Bike Friendly Norfolk: The Map & Explanation | AltDaily : Creating and celebrating local culture in Norfolk and all of Hampton Roads.[...]…

By: crazy larry

crazy larry — Thu, 05 May 2011 02:57:12 +0000

When is the next Bike Norfolk mtg?

I’ll see yall this saturday @ Norfolk’s first annual Bike month event….
http://www.norfolkbikemonth.com

The more people come out the more they take us serious!

By: Reid Greenmun

Reid Greenmun — Thu, 05 May 2011 01:41:16 +0000

Roads are paid for by gas taxes. When cyclists want massively expensive infrastructure then they should be willing to pay for it. Clearly we need license fees for bikes and GPS transponders to send cyclist a bill for the roads they use. If the bike lobby want multi-million dollar bike trails and special lanes on bridges and tunnels, they should be more than happy to pay for them, right? Clearly the biking “community” needs to support greater tolls and fees to be paid by the biking “community” to pay for the infrastructure they seek – and that will be set aside for only their use.

If the bike lobby demands “our road” then they should be willing to pay for it. They don’t.

It is easy to lobby for spending other people’s money for your hobby. But putting YOUR MONEY where your mouth is? … (silence) … not a peep.

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:53:34 +0000

I skipped peoples comments unintentionally, but went back through and noticed that a lot of you cyclists seem to want to get active. THAT’S AWESOME! I’m drafting a letter to the Mayor of Norfolk currently about at least getting some cheap SHARE THE ROAD signs put up on more aggressive roads (particularly Hampton BLVD)

CHECK IT OUT! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=147511761950721

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:49:42 +0000

Great article. I found this while actually looking for pics of Hampton Blvd for my group, OUR ROAD, OUR RIGHT. Check it out, read the description. It’s for cyclists, avid or casual, who have stories to tell of being mistreated and threatened on the road while cycling within their legal right.
It’s new, and kind of a ‘bitch-box’ , but I hope one day to use it to address letters to local political representatives about making whatever area ( currently Norfolk) more bicycle aware, and bike safe.
Hampton blvd is my target #1 currently. Here’s the link, JOIN UP! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=147511761950721

By: Reasons to Leave Your House This Weekend | AltDaily : Creating and celebrating local culture in Norfolk and all of Hampton Roads.

Fri, 28 May 2010 15:25:13 +0000

[...] organizer, AltDaily’s own Wes Cheney, says it well: Come ride with friends at a casual pace and celebrate the role of the bicycle in our [...]

By: Joanna--MFA

Joanna--MFA — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:53 +0000

Like Jesse says — let’s do it. Where should we start? Letters to the mayor? Boycotts? Protests? I’m in. I’ve often wanted to wear a shirt that says IF NORFOLK HAD BIKE PATHS I WOULDN’T BE RIDING ON THE SIDEWALK. I am saddened when I resort to this.

By: Jesse Scaccia

Jesse Scaccia — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:22:19 +0000

There are enough of us (thousands) who want to see this city safer for bikers that we can make a difference.

As a biking community we need to figure out what our goals should be, then make a plan. Then f’ing do it.

I’m hoping Wes can continue to be one of our leaders, and that this becomes a forum for his leadership.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:06:25 +0000

As much as I love this city, Bike Friendly Norfolk is a contradiction in terms. In the end it comes down to police enforcing speed limits and other traffic laws that enable everyone to co-exist on the road. This the police do not do to an adequate extent. Secondly, that the map is so unknown to so many people speaks volumes about how important the city thinks a bicycle culture is. There are many things to love about Norfolk, but bike friendliness is not one of them.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:46:37 +0000

Great to hear the history of “the Map”. Also good to spread the word on basic cycling skill tips. So many people end up learning by trial and error. I too have been seeing more folks on bikes lately, so maybe there is hope for our little burg yet. Keep watering those grassroots. You and Liz are great inspirations for everyone. So when’s the next Urban Cycling Seminar ;)

By: wghent

wghent — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:45:09 +0000

This is a strange city – flat as a pool table, lots of ‘dead’ rail lines waiting to be converted into bike trails, largest # of households without cars of any large city in VA – and a really lousy bike presence.

Cities here do not talk so the 50-mile intercity bike route from Suffolk to the Beach that VDOT talks about is a distant dream. Suffolk gets $$ for a trail that leads to … Pinners Point Bridge has a bike lane built into it (only bridge in region with one) but it leads to… Light Rail line could have allowed a bike lane alongside from Norfolk to the Beachfront but…

Moved down here from NOVA ten years ago and went from heaven to…well purgatory at least. We are where most progressive cities were ten years ago in getting bike routes up and running.

By: Liz

Liz — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:38:26 +0000

Great piece, Wes! I linked this to my blog!

By: Wesley Cheney

Wesley Cheney — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:13:14 +0000

grant, a detailed downtown map is a great idea. Given the fluidity of construction though, I think I’ll wait until The Tide is almost finished. I’d like to include bike parking in the next iteration, as well as Tide stops.

Wes

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:38:04 +0000

Terrific map. I’d like to see a detailed Downtown Bike Map, as well.
I would completely get behind a movement to build upon the strengths and start connecting those cyan areas, for example the 21st Street corridor.

By: bob young

bob young — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:35:39 +0000

nice article, Wes, and a great website. I’m an old guy and seldom bike more than the 1/2 mile from my house to the ocean, but I love the consciousness raising about sharing the roads with our pedal pushing friends

By: Lucien

Lucien — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:52:52 +0000

I’m in full support of more bike paths. I will even pick up a shovel and bring a hundred friends. I think we are well on our way to a more cycle friendly city!

By: kurtz

kurtz — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:18:42 +0000

great article and opinions. I think VA Beach Blvd may need to be upgraded to Red around Military Circle, especially the construction between the river and Mil Hwy overpass.

By: Wesley Cheney

Wesley Cheney — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:50:46 +0000

Thanks for the positive feedback, Cait. The map linked above is an updated version, reflecting the changes I’ve seen on the roads. Please feel free to pass it or make suggestions: I’m happy to report that I’ve “upgrsded” several streets in friendliness, mostly fue to seeing more cyclists out there, and a rising level of respect & awareness from drivers.

Wes

By: kait

kait — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:10:10 +0000

hey, just wanted to put in a thanks… found the map on the city website (!!!) this summer when i first started contemplating a daily bike commute after realizing taking the bus from the new apartment to downtown would take longer than walking. my route’s gotten much more dependent on the yellow zones as I got frustrated with trying to get around construction, but starting with an almost totally green and cyan route was invaluable for building confidence.

cool to hear the story!

By: JasonLombard

JasonLombard — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:05:48 +0000

Awesome article. Thanks for making this map available to all! Hopefully our area well become better at thinking of bicyclists as well as cars when planning our roads.