"Bike Route"
The city considers this a “bike route,” but we prefer to call it “The Boneshaker.” Not sure we’d even want to drive a car over it.
They’re not all this bad, of course. In terms of quality, what would you consider your favorite and least-favorite bike routes in the city?
My favorite bike route is 340… it’s nicely surfaced, low traffic, and provides a quicker route to/from Gateway park than the meandering Trinity Trail does.
My least favorite, at least in terms of road surface, is 41 (Samuels Ave). Too bad, because it’s a neat place to ride, with some historic landmarks and pretty views.
Thanks for the selections, Bernie. I should add, for the curious, that the photo above was taken on 280 (Cantey).
One thing you can say about the Trinity Bluff development, it’s made that stretch of Samuels quite a bit smoother. Trouble is, it’s just a very small segment of the route.
Huh…. looks like Prairie View, TX (that’s NOT a good thing).
That’s Fort Worth’s version of a mountain bike trail.
Kind of looks like Pearl Ranch Road, too (ok, maybe not quite that bad)–lots of bikers use that road–I’m surprised they haven’t been thrown off a few times–maybe they have.
Not specific to a bike route, but my least favorite of road “features” are potholes extending out from the curb that hold water long after a rain. You either have to ride out to the middle of the lane to get around it or get wet.
On a related note… the Trinity Trail is closed at University…. completely. This is part of the project mentioned earlier on Fortworthology.
One way to get around the construction is this detour.
Most of the current Bike Routes in FW are the result of a 1999 plan which required considerablle push in 2005 to bring to fruition (that push helped bring about today’s plans). The early Routes were a start but the current Bike Fort Worth Comprehensive Plan goes much further. Information and review of this plan were covered on this site in April at http://tinyurl.com/d6getl
The “Bike Fort Worth” Comprehensive Plan recieved a resounding recommendation from the FW Planning Commission a few weeks ago and now heads to the FW City Council for approval. Plans are in work to schedule the city’s first-ever Bicycle Comprehensive Plan for presentation before the FW City Council on an evening in January. As soon as they’ve a meeting scheduled I’ll work to ensure everyone is aware of the date- Numbers at this meeting are very important to show strong support for a real Bike/Ped Plan for Fort Worth. Numbers will help not only with approval- but implementation.
As the Fort Worthology post of April 22(http://tinyurl.com/d6getl) detailed, the Bike Fort Worth Plan is very extensive, includes Routes, Lanes, Trails, and Policies to establish greater access, ridership, saftey, and incorporate a Complete Streets approach to transportation in Fort Worth. Watch for the upcoming City Council meeting in January!
@Doohickie-
I’ve used that detour a couple times, but I generally find drivers in shopping center parking lots to be less predictable and thus slightly more dangerous than drivers on regular low-traffic streets.
I’ve been using this detour, going around the fence @ University to take the sidewalk across the University bridge, then taking Colonial Pkwy to Rogers.
Oops, forgot to post the detour map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3313525
Funny, I didn’t recognize the street from the photo, but my immediate thought was Cantey. I enjoy the irony of (barely) seeing the bike emblem on that street.
Not an official route, but this is my occasional commute. There has been some recent improvements to Rogers under the rail bridge and Lovell near Horne. I actually feel safe on the portions through neighborhoods inside the loop. I feel my closest encounters with cars has been on 4-lane, medianed Academy Blvd in White Settlement. Go figure.
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/tx/fort%20worth/237616819163
On the subject of bike lanes, I was wondering if anyone rides to work in downtown. I work only four miles from home but I have to wear a suit to work and be there by 6:45. My issues are where to shower, clothing changes (keeping the suit in shape), and where to park the bike. If anyone has any advise it would be appreciated.
I don’t have a shower at work; I get by with showering at home before I leave, then freshening up with deodorant, baby powder and a washcloth.
I would recommend panniers to carry the suit, but you would still have to fold it. Alternately, you could drive one day a week and carry four suits with you to have them in place for the days you ride.
As for where to park the bike, I think if I worked downtown and there was a parking garage associated with the building, I would park it in the parking garage. Maybe check with the parking authority. Even if you had to pay a little to lock it up there it would still be worth it to have it in a garage rather than in the elements.
If you get really imaginative, you may be able to find a closet or something in your office that has enough room for a bike. This is what I do currently and I don’t even have to lock up the bike.
One final tip: If you don’t feel you have adequate security for your bike and you own an expensive bike, consider buying an older bike on Craigslist. You can get something good for maybe $100-200 (possibly even less), and if something happened to it you wouldn’t be out too much money.
Cycling to work can be very easy and economical if you use your imagination.
Good luck.
There is a specially made garment bag that is carried on the rear cargo rack of a bicycle… it’s pricy, but it works. If you know you’re going to commute a lot and suits are a must at your workplace, it’s probably worth the investment. I think I’m about to buy one myself: http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FCGBP
Doohickie- great stuff, you really make commuting an art form… good advice.
Bernie- nice to see you along the trail yesterday. Thanks for your work in Austin, but its nice to see you back in town.
Regarding Parking Lots- I’d have to agree with Bernie; I think the only thing more dangerous for a cyclist than a parking lot is a yard sale. Cycling past a yard sale is very dangerous… kids, car doors opening, shoppers stepping from between cars with their latest treasure, all scary situations.
Jim
JEC: have you considered a short bus ride into work (with your bike on the bike rack) and a bike ride home? Check out the T’s website: http://www.the-t.com/. Also, Burnett Plaza parking garage has a bike rack on the 2nd story by the elevators. The YMCA has showers, and I assume the health clubs do, too. Good luck!
I ride to work every day from Fairmount. I leave my work clothes on the hook behind my door, including a suit. I usually leave 6-7 shirts, several ties, 2-3 trousers and 2-3 pair of shoes in the office. I shower at home in the morning and carry a small towel (or two in summer) for cleaning up. I also apply a new coat of deo when changing as well as an odor eating spray I found at Panther City Bikes. I carry a clean tshirt and underwear every day in my bike bag. I’ll drive the clothes to the office in the evening as needed, often coupled with a late night’s return to work. If you’re on the NW side of town, consider renting a locker at the YMCA. You can store clothes and use their showers.
As for parking, my employer, the City of FW, has a big bike rack I use. On rainy days, I move my rig under the breezway and lock it up there.
Now that it’s dark, I use a lot of lights for the return commute. Don’t forget to be seen.
Glad to have more downtown commuters.