Today's Question: October 20, 2009 Archive

What change would be most effective in helping cars and bikes share the road?

Posted at 6:00 AM on October 20, 2009 by Eric Ringham (85 Comments)
Filed under: Transportation

Recent changes to traffic flow on Hennepin and First Avenues in downtown Minneapolis have also moved bike lanes close to the curb. Planners hope a parking lane that separates bicycles from traffic will offer bikers some protection. What change would be most effective in helping cars and bikes share the road?

Comments texted to MPR:

Buffers are good because some drivers like to drive as close to bikers and bike lanes as they can simply because they do not want to share the road. -Suzie, Minneapolis, MN

The most effective change to help bikes and cars cohabitate would be to get the bikes of the roads. After all the cars taxes pay for the road. -Ryan

Motorists may pay road taxes, but they DON'T pay for the pollution they cause and its effects. -anonymous

It would go smoother if cyclists using the car lanes would actually follow traffic laws. Can't believe how often I see them roll right through intersections. -Ryan, St. Paul, MN

Bikes need to obey traffic laws! If they did a symbiotic relationship would come much faster. -anonymous

How to better traffic between bikes and autos? Three words: more mass transit! -anonymous

Why not move bikeways onto parallel lower traffic roads? I'd feel a lot safer. -Cat, Blaine, MN

Ban the use of cell phones while driving. -Maria, Minnetonka, MN

Bikes are vehicles with full rights. If car drivers don't want them sharing the roads, the solution is more bike lanes. -Ceri, Minneapolis, MN

Better BIKE LANES! -Sally, Eden Prairie, MN

More bike lanes and more motorist education on the rights of cyclists on the road. -Brian, St. Paul, MN

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