Outstanding edition Andrew. On your provocative points #1, also would love to see more traffic circles as the evidence shows they are safer and more cost effective, and from my daily experience with the Cameron Street bridge circle we’re getting good (and comfortable)using them. I get that there will be emotional backlash but if I was king, I’d tell those folks to park their pathos (feelings) and put their faith in logic, reason, and science (logos).
On your provocative point #2. I’m with you. Dancing in the dark, or under moonlight is sublime for me. I especially enjoy traditional cross-country skiing in non-lit areas and feeling the tracks without seeing them, a magical sensation.
Unfortunately, not everyone is wired to appreciate such sensory deprived shenanigans. Some folks appreciate the convenience of seeing, instead of feeling, where they are going and then there are those safety freaks, you know who you are. This often leads me to night recreate all by my lonesome when I want to be in bliss.
Maybe us enlightened, yet non lit folks can unite for lightless adventuring. Procuring a taser or two, to neutralize the closet clandestine torchbearers that might stumble upon our midst would be an early order of business.
Not wrong. As a frequent very early morning pedestrian I will use a flashlight at times: when I need to see what my dog is snuffling at, when I need to clean up after him, and when I am running alongside a greenspace. Otherwise, my reflective gear makes me pretty visible to traffic. And I know how blinding it can be to have a car's headlights coming at you.
When I used to work at UNBC, we used to joke about the real privilege of living in College Heights was turning right at that intersection at 4:30 when the folks going to foothills/downtown/the Hart have to wait 10 minutes to turn left.
Like Darrin, I currently turn right to get out of the University on my way home at 4. When I lived out in Chief Lake, I had to turn left - and it was always a nightmare. A traffic circle would not only reduce the exit wait times, but also (and just as important imo) it would be a traffic calming measure to slow the traffic from both directions - there have already been at least 3 vehicles skid off the sharp corner west of the uni entrance, and one was coming from the south and crossed the oncoming lane (which is a regular source of anxiety for me in the winter), and there's no shortage of moose who hang around that area as well. Vehicles from both directions regularly speed past the entrance, and a roundabout would vastly improve things for everyone.
I’m in agreement with both of your points but something to consider with traffic circles is how pedestrians interact with them. A significant number of people use the trail up Tyner from College Heights and cross to the university. A roundabout would ideally include a grade separated route (tunnel) for pedestrians so they don’t have to rely on drivers entering or leaving the roundabout actually stopping to accommodate the needs and safety of the pedestrians.
Walking around Moore’s Meadow or another greenspace with a headlamp is inconsiderate of others who are there to enjoy the experience of simply being there. It rarely gets dark enough to not be able to see quite well or even better without a headlamp. One person with a headlamp destroys all others ability to see. Anyone worried about being visible should use a red light.
I agree with your opinion on the traffic circle. That makes a lot of sense. I loved the video, too. On the issue of headlamps, although I can understand your feelings about ruining the magic of winter nights, in defense of older people, I suppose it gives a sense of security. I live in a rural area where there are no street lights and it can be very dark, but sometimes when it is a moonlit and snow-covered landscape, I turn off the headlamp.
unsolicited question: anyone know of stylish reflectors and/or flashy indicator lights for pedestrians to wear, to avoid getting smoked while crossing Queensway at 4th or 5th at the end of the work day? Greg knows what I'm talking about.
I don't know if I want to slap on a safety vest, but it seems that I might need a headlamp and bright orange to get to my car in one piece.
Yep. That jct. is smoking. Fashionable is tricky. I prefer form over function and sport a big yellow industrial safety vest since it slides over a backpack that I wear while cycling in dull and dark as equally awesome as a bulky jacket in winter. Have you thought of reflective arm/leg wraps? You can get sleek ones at a bike shop or more modestly priced ones at a safety wear place.
thanks for the suggestions! After I posted my comment, I dug around in a drawer and found my old reflective wraps from when I used to do more biking AND a couple of LED rechargeable flashing light thingers from MEC (when it was a still a co-op, and not a "company"). I charged those babies up and they still work, so I'm good to go. Or better, at least. Stylish enough to at least give myself a fighting change against the traffic!
Outstanding edition Andrew. On your provocative points #1, also would love to see more traffic circles as the evidence shows they are safer and more cost effective, and from my daily experience with the Cameron Street bridge circle we’re getting good (and comfortable)using them. I get that there will be emotional backlash but if I was king, I’d tell those folks to park their pathos (feelings) and put their faith in logic, reason, and science (logos).
On your provocative point #2. I’m with you. Dancing in the dark, or under moonlight is sublime for me. I especially enjoy traditional cross-country skiing in non-lit areas and feeling the tracks without seeing them, a magical sensation.
Unfortunately, not everyone is wired to appreciate such sensory deprived shenanigans. Some folks appreciate the convenience of seeing, instead of feeling, where they are going and then there are those safety freaks, you know who you are. This often leads me to night recreate all by my lonesome when I want to be in bliss.
Maybe us enlightened, yet non lit folks can unite for lightless adventuring. Procuring a taser or two, to neutralize the closet clandestine torchbearers that might stumble upon our midst would be an early order of business.
Not wrong. As a frequent very early morning pedestrian I will use a flashlight at times: when I need to see what my dog is snuffling at, when I need to clean up after him, and when I am running alongside a greenspace. Otherwise, my reflective gear makes me pretty visible to traffic. And I know how blinding it can be to have a car's headlights coming at you.
When I used to work at UNBC, we used to joke about the real privilege of living in College Heights was turning right at that intersection at 4:30 when the folks going to foothills/downtown/the Hart have to wait 10 minutes to turn left.
I'm a big roundabout guy so hearty endorse.
Like Darrin, I currently turn right to get out of the University on my way home at 4. When I lived out in Chief Lake, I had to turn left - and it was always a nightmare. A traffic circle would not only reduce the exit wait times, but also (and just as important imo) it would be a traffic calming measure to slow the traffic from both directions - there have already been at least 3 vehicles skid off the sharp corner west of the uni entrance, and one was coming from the south and crossed the oncoming lane (which is a regular source of anxiety for me in the winter), and there's no shortage of moose who hang around that area as well. Vehicles from both directions regularly speed past the entrance, and a roundabout would vastly improve things for everyone.
I’m in agreement with both of your points but something to consider with traffic circles is how pedestrians interact with them. A significant number of people use the trail up Tyner from College Heights and cross to the university. A roundabout would ideally include a grade separated route (tunnel) for pedestrians so they don’t have to rely on drivers entering or leaving the roundabout actually stopping to accommodate the needs and safety of the pedestrians.
Walking around Moore’s Meadow or another greenspace with a headlamp is inconsiderate of others who are there to enjoy the experience of simply being there. It rarely gets dark enough to not be able to see quite well or even better without a headlamp. One person with a headlamp destroys all others ability to see. Anyone worried about being visible should use a red light.
I agree with your opinion on the traffic circle. That makes a lot of sense. I loved the video, too. On the issue of headlamps, although I can understand your feelings about ruining the magic of winter nights, in defense of older people, I suppose it gives a sense of security. I live in a rural area where there are no street lights and it can be very dark, but sometimes when it is a moonlit and snow-covered landscape, I turn off the headlamp.
unsolicited question: anyone know of stylish reflectors and/or flashy indicator lights for pedestrians to wear, to avoid getting smoked while crossing Queensway at 4th or 5th at the end of the work day? Greg knows what I'm talking about.
I don't know if I want to slap on a safety vest, but it seems that I might need a headlamp and bright orange to get to my car in one piece.
Yep. That jct. is smoking. Fashionable is tricky. I prefer form over function and sport a big yellow industrial safety vest since it slides over a backpack that I wear while cycling in dull and dark as equally awesome as a bulky jacket in winter. Have you thought of reflective arm/leg wraps? You can get sleek ones at a bike shop or more modestly priced ones at a safety wear place.
thanks for the suggestions! After I posted my comment, I dug around in a drawer and found my old reflective wraps from when I used to do more biking AND a couple of LED rechargeable flashing light thingers from MEC (when it was a still a co-op, and not a "company"). I charged those babies up and they still work, so I'm good to go. Or better, at least. Stylish enough to at least give myself a fighting change against the traffic!