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Bicycle advocacy group urges riding to work Friday

Associated Press
May 14, 2012
Keywords
Tourism & Hospitality, Workplace Issues
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Motorists in central Indiana should expect to share the road with a lot of bicyclists during their morning and afternoon commutes Friday.

The Indianapolis bicycle advocacy group IndyCog is sponsoring its annual Bike to Work Day on Friday. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Eli Lilly and Co. CEO John Lechleiter are among officials addressing participants that morning.

IndyCog says commuter rides will begin leaving at 6:30 a.m. Friday from various locations across central Indiana.

IndyCog reminds motorists that bicyclists have the right to ride in the street even if there are no marked bike lanes. An Indianapolis city ordinance requires automobile drivers to give 3 feet of clearance when passing bikes. Bicyclists are required to stop at stop lights and stop signs.

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  • theft?
    Rhonda Lee StarrMay 21, 2012 4:08 PM
    Why would the increased presence of cyclists lead to more bicycle theft? In fact, the opposite is true. More eyes on the road deter crime.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • I'm In!
    BryanMay 15, 2012 11:47 AM
    I'll be making my 50-mile round-trip commute on Friday by bike. Looking forward to it, actually.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Wrong Arguement
    JoeMay 15, 2012 8:41 AM
    Why do we always stoop to arguing which is worse? The goal of both is to get to where you need to go. One is by car and the other by bike. Both should obey the laws and both need to watch out for the other. The difference is that one can easily kill the other, but not the other way around. Just drive or ride level headed and PAY ATTENTION!!!! GET OFF YOUR CELL PHONES!!!! We need to realize that whatever tisk you have in the moment, a person's life isn't worth it and it probably won't cost either of you that much in the larger scheme of things.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Poor Motorists & Cyclists
    CKMay 14, 2012 5:17 PM
    As an avid cyclist and motorist, I suspect the percentages are similar - 10-15% of all drivers are horrible, unsafe and disrespectful. The health benefits to cycling are so great but only if you are safe. The last thing you should do is aggravate a motorist. I try to always let cars around me whenever possible and let them go first at intersections. My objective isn't to slow motorist down; it is to have a safe workout.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Bike Hub Parking
    joshuaMay 14, 2012 3:49 PM
    Cyclist commuting to work Friday will meet and park bikes at the YMCA Bike Hub in the east wing of the City Market, rather than Monument Circle as in year's past. Come early for refreshments!

    Joshua, IndyCog
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  • Agree
    JustinMay 14, 2012 3:35 PM
    As someone who cycles as a means of transportation and believes that cycling should be embraced and supported in Indianapolis, I am also a motorist who observes how disrespectful cyclists are to the laws of the road. I feel that there are many (not all) cyclists who feel that their entitlement to share the road with vehicles much larger and more powerful allows them to blow through stop signs and red lights, weave in and out of slow or stopped traffic, make illegal turns down one-way streets and act generally unaware of their surroundings. For cyclists to demand respect, they need to give some back. It's hard to respect a culture or a group who practices unsafe cycling but will be the first to give the death glare into the window of any vehicle they pass who gets in their way, while driving safely.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Kudos
    CurtMay 14, 2012 3:01 PM
    Glad to see the city behind the bike to work day effort. This is a big deal for sustainable transportation and should be embraced by all people, motorists and cyclists equally.
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  • @Terry
    Jon BrewerMay 14, 2012 2:55 PM
    Terry, part of Monument Circle is actually closed off for bike riders to park their bike securely. IMPD I believe (could be private security) will be on post to make sure nobody is snooping around that area.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • Great!
      JoeMay 14, 2012 1:12 PM
      This ia a great event to get out and ride to or wherever you may need to go. Take this opportunity to see what it is like to ride a bike to work and add up the savings. If you try it once, you will love it! Thanks Indycog and the city for all your efforts to improve mobility choice for residents.
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • Right to the Road
      Randall PorterMay 14, 2012 1:00 PM
      Yes bikes have the right to the road but the also need to follows the laws of the road. Along New York Street downtown it is common to see a bike rider blowing thru a stop sign, ear buds on. I am sorry Indianapolis is not Portland and will never embrace 'Bike Culture'.
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • Bicycle to work crime? NOT
      JennyMay 14, 2012 12:58 PM
      I've bicycled to work for this event several times and have had no problems riding my bicycle through Haughville--which some people consider to be "unsafe." I've had more problems with cars than crime when riding my bike to work.
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment
    • Watch the Crime Rate Rise
      TerryMay 14, 2012 12:05 PM
      I look forward to reviewing the Police Blotter Reports to see if bicycle theft, or perhaps armed robbery of bike riders increases during the Friday Bike Commutes.
      Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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