Summer Cycles

Yeah, I see a lot of xtracycles with kids on, and lately I've been seeing more and more of the Bobike type carriers on an assortment of different bikes. I really do see all types of people on bikes, especially when the weather is nice like it has been. Old and young, hipsters, racers, everyday folks, people with rentals, people going to/from work, out to eat – I really feel like there are people on bikes everywhere this summer.

I feel like other than on main arterial roads, I'm seeing more bike traffic than car traffic in most of the inner east side of town, which is really fun.

@Mark: it is a beautiful city, I love being here. There are a lot of people out riding, especially this summer, it's been great to see.

I have to say though, I'm not a huge fan of painted bike lanes. On calm, low traffic streets, you don't need them, just narrowing the streets and putting in things that will be perceived as obstacles by drivers keeps things pretty calm. On fast, high traffic streets, the painted bike lanes almost create more problems, because then you have traffic crossing the lanes to park, you have buses crossing the lanes to pick up passengers, you have the bike lanes going over sewer grates and manholes and all the crap from the road gets pushed over into them. They are marginally better than just riding in the lane with cars, but don't push for painted bike lanes, push for something better. Push for your city to implement well-thought-out infrastructure that actually helps the convenience and safety of cyclists.