Recent Efforts to Better the Quality of Commute

I have been working on a few things to enhance my bicycle commutes.

The first is a traffic light improvement. I wait on an average of two cycles at the eastbound intersection of A. C. Skinner Pkwy and Southside Blvd for the light to change to green. Unless a motor vehicle, usually a car or truck, pulls up in the lane next to me, the light refuses to cycle. This involves waiting under the blistering noon heat for over 7 minutes for the light to change.

I called The City of Jacksonville with this maintenance issue Monday before 11 am. The number is 904 255 8970. It has been two days and I have not noticed any changes. I will wait till next Monday to follow up on the maintenance issue.

The second thing that I have mostly delegated away is to get a sign that says ‘Bicycles Take Full Lane’ (see image below courtesy Cyclelicious).

I want to see these installed on narrow (less than 14 feet wide) two lane roads like the service road that I live on and Touchton Rd which seems to harbour even more insolent motorists than I imagined. Per section 316.2065(5) exception 3, bicycles are not required to be ‘as close to the right as practicable’. In such narrow roads, it is unsafe to continue along the right hand edge.

Thirdly, I have acquired a riding buddy for 80% of my ride home from work. Jose works in the office building next to mine and commutes around 7 miles one way. We ride two abreast on the and make a strong statement of bicyclists position and status on the road.