Blog: Dermot Cole
"Don't be Fuelish" competition rolling
Published Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The friendly competition to avoid "fuelish" behavior is again getting rolling in Fairbanks.
"Don't Be Fuelish" is an attempt to see who can save the most fuel by biking, walking, carpooling, running or riding the bus this spring and summer.
The competition began April 1 this year, instead of May 1, but with the weather only starting to warm up recently, a lot of people haven't become engaged just yet. Sign up now and start May 1, if you choose.
Here is information on Don't be Fuelish 2009.
Here is a link to the rules of the contest.
Here is a link to the registration information.
Bikers - try to stay to the right hand side of the road for a change. You are NOT a motor vehicle, even if you have the same traffic rights. Do not get into the left hand turn lane - cross at the corners so I don't have to run you over by accident.
here's another idea mal, learn and OBEY the law, so i don't have to SUE YOUR ARSE OFF if you should hit me and so you don't have to spend years in prison.
Fairbanks is probably one of the WORST cities in the US, the entire US, for bicycling, walking, or anything not involving driving a large stinking, polluting, diesel pick-up truck. I can only assume that the aptly self-dubbed TheMalcontent drives something similar, probably to compensate for deficiencies in other areas. Fairbanks should try to improve the bike path network and establish bike routes and sidewalks so knuckle-dragging Cro-Magnon recessive types like TheMalcontent can drive their moribund GMC pick-um-up-truck rustbucket without having to worry about silly things like right-of-way, crosswalks, stop signs, lanes, or the law. See you in court, TheMalcontent.
Where is the 'Fairbanks Pedestrian' on this?
I walk all over the place, and bike in the summer. The roads here are dangerous!
For all you drivers who complain... irregardless of the laws don't blame bikers. There are loads of places in this town where there's not even a sidewalk, much less a bike path. No I don't think we should go around building bike paths everywhere and then some but... some spots, like the Old Steese really need something. At least a safe sidewalk so I dont have to risk my life biking or walking. Its even more of an issue walking down there when the roads are slippery!
Time to build bike lanes--saves fuel to bike and the exercise keeps folks fit. Ancient fossil fuels are on the way out and a healthier life style is in.
I lived in Fairbanks for more than a decade (the '80s) without an automobile. One critical lesson/principle that all cyclists must know is that the automobile ALWAYS wins any interaction between the two. Right or wrong, cyclists will never win that meeting. Goldstreamer, if you think you're going to get your revenge by suing somebody, you will have already lost far more than any money that you might be able to squeeze out of an insurance company. That is an immature and self-damaging attitude about getting smaggled by a 4,000 pound piece of hurtling steel.
TundraTrekker does not have the gray matter to answer these question --
How do you build a bicycle without the use of fossil fuels?
How do you transport a bicycle to the community for you to acquire?
Further, how do you build a bike lane without the use of fossil fuels?
You might be able to anser this question:
Are there magic beans (chain-links) that you can plant and grow a bicycle?
And if you are truly a cyclist:
What do you lubricate your chain and running gear with? Beaver tail fat? Whale oil?
All my snide, but informed comments aside, I think the competition is a great idea and I whole heartedly endorse all who choose to ride a bike, ski, or walk to work/school.
Do motorcycles count? I cut 80% off my fuel usage during the summer by switching to 2 wheels instead of 4.
CNN Headline news just had a piece on Namata Japan and how they are using the snow from the winter to Air Condition the hot months of the year. It gives a mucher better explination but it definitely fits right up their with the topic of the column and our community. Check it out
cnn/hln.com
I feel that if the road must be shared between automobiles & bicyclists, that's perfectly acceptable - with this qualifier - BOTH parties/types of vehicles must obey ALL the rules of the road.
What does this mean?
1) Use turn signals & brake signals - preferably blinking ones, but while the newer generation may not know the older-style method of hand signals, I sure do. If you don't "blink" a turn signal, please let me know some other way, even if you just POINT.... I don't wanna run you over because you're turning left and you acted as if you were turning right. Hey - Auto Drivers - take a tip from this, too. Turn signals are there for a reason - USE them.
2) Maintain speed limit (oooo, got you, didn't I? I have yet to see ANY bicyclist - even myself - maintain 55MPH - especially uphill)
3) If you cannot maintain speed, slower traffic MOVE RIGHT.
If you are a bicyclist - move as far right as is SAFE for YOU.
(continued below)
4) Stop at all red/yellow traffic signals. The other day I had the dubious honor of watching a bicyclist who wasn't on the sidewalk - i.e. SHARING THE ROAD - at the corner of University & College completely IGNORE the fact that the light was red.... and he shot through like liquid butter in Arizona... which nearly caused his own death (Maybe a candidate for Darwin Awards?).
5) I feel that if I, as an automobile driver, can be ticketed and fined for driving too fast, or - Goddess forbid, for "Driving Too Slow"... that Bicyclists (myself included), sharing the road, should have to obey/share the same rules; be subject to the same fines, rules, regulations, and disciplinary process the drivers of motorized road vehicles are. That goes for Drunk/Drugged Biking, too.
6) Bicyclists should be subject to a Bicycle license requirement just as motor vehicle drivers are. Take a class in how to properly ride a bicycle; get that piece of laminated paper to PROVE you have the knowledge to handle the situations that occur on a busy road.
I have said that for years, well before the whole "Share the Road" thing started. If you desire to share the road - PLEASE learn how to do it safely.
I propose, instead of bike paths which people prefer NOT to use when they aren't properly maintained... the use of the "breakdown/emergency" area of the side of the road as an official "Bike Lane" on the roads that have enough room for this. This way they can have their own speed limit *grins*. Granted, bicyclists will still have to work their way around stalled/abandoned/broken down vehicles & the occasional worthless washing machine that has conveniently "fallen" off the back of someone's 50,000$ gas-guzzling monstrosity, but they'd be marginally safer, and are still "sharing the road".
And yes, I ride my bicycle, too - WITH a cart attached. Yes, I share the road (no choice where I live). and Yes, if/when they require licenses for bicyclists - I will be one of the first in line to not only take a "state-approved" safety/road course, but also to get that license. 'Cus you see, that money I pay for a "stupid government-regulated piece of paper" (as one of my friends calls her auto-license) could be used to maintain those Bike Lanes I proposed.
Please play safe this summer when you share the road, Thank you. =D
I walk most of the time, have for years. I don't have a problem with walking by the side of the road, but the intersections are another matter. I have lost count of the number of times I've I had to dodge cars because the driver did not look to see if there was someone in the cross-walk before turning. Its especially bad at the corner of University and College.
I wait for the light to change, and the little green guy to tell me its my turn to walk, and I still have to dodge cars to get across the street.
Thank you pensri, now if you could please post this on every story through out the summer when cyclist come up complaining about one thing or another. maybe we can even print this out and hand it out with every bicycle sold this year, maybe someone will eventually understand it, you and I do, but maybe more will. once again thank you.
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