A Bike Ride down Riverside Drive…
An invitation to those who have probably never cycled Riverside Drive before. Come along for a ride.
We also check out the persistant rumours that the residents objection to the RDVIP may have ulterior motives - like saving some of their landscaping and structures built on the public right-of-way.
It is difficult to actually see where the public R.O.W. ends and the private property begins. A good visual is the hydro poles that are erected within this R.O.W. Anything built between these poles and the road could be considered built on public land. A word of caution, however, in eyeballing this. When the City of Windsor annexed the Town of Riverside, there were different rules in place in the annexed town. The R.O.W.’s are all over the place, narrow in certain sections and very wide in others. This makes it tough to make blanket judgements, so the final word must be left with the city’s Planning Department
We just want this to come to a quick close and build a road worthy and safe for all modes of travel; foot, bicycle and motor vehicle
Tags: Alternative Transportation, commuting, mobility, Official Plan, pedestrian, Riverside Drive, Video
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As we could see, when there was no traffic in the oncoming lane drivers were giving you a decent berth, but as soon as there was oncoming traffic they started buzzing you really close, starting with that white van. Basically the cyclist becomes more of a nuisance to many motorists if drivers are faced with the option of slowing down and waiting for a safe opportunity to make a berth… or just squeezing through and risking the cyclist’s life and limb.
What’s more important - letting the wealthy squatters keep the city land they have been treating as their own, or the right to safe passage for those cycling on this thoroughfare?
You guys made big news across the pond…….
http://www.m-bike.org/
Thanks for the heads-up, Rick!
Chris, thanks for the video and hard work you’ve put in to show another viewpoint to the controversy. Judging by the footage, it looks to me like there’s ample room to widen the road right-of-way to include a bike lane, keep the sidewalks where they are and still have a minimum impact on the existing residential improvements, whether they’re encroaching or not. Sidewalks have no need for a grass buffer between them and the road, especially once the adjacent pavement becomes a bike-only lane.
Compromises such as these will go farther than telling people “hey, you’re rich, pay $50,000 to move your wall / tear down your landscaping”, etc.
Thanks for braving the streets to bring us this video. I think you’ve made it pretty clear just how dangerous it is to be a cyclist in this city, and on this stretch of road in particular. It is also quite clear why some of these residents are vehemently opposed to the lane expansion project.
Congrats Chris, you and others managed to sway the Windsor star editorial staff into supporting RDVIP. Great video!
The Drive - Something for all to share
http://www.windsorstar.com/Sports/Drive/1296260/story.html
I would love to be able to take credit, Edwin, but I like to think that the whole city is awakening to the need for this kind of investment. The entire cycling community is responsible for keeping this issue at the forefront and we are proud to play our small part in this ongoing saga.
This is something that will benefit the entire city for a very long time to come. I’m sure the history books will back up that statement in 50 years!
I have attempted to bike this strip along the riverfront from Devonshire Road onto the Ganatchio trail. Unless you are contemplating suicide, it’s not where you want to ride. As shown in the film, the lane ends at Strabane and from there it is ‘ride at your own peril’. Besides that, the roadway is in poor repair for most of the way.
In general, Windsor is not very ‘bike friendly’ in that there are not many designated bike lanes. And unfortunately, drivers will not yield to bike riders.
And, since I have an opportunity to rant, it is most unfortunate that there is not a good connection between the Chrysler Greenway which terminates at North Talbot Road and the rest of the city except on busy city streets without bike lanes.
Chris,
Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to highlight this issue. At the start of each summer, during a brief period of insanity, I try to ride “the Drive” from Strabane eastwards. It is so unacceptable that this stretch of road in our city is not accessible to cycling or running members of the community. When the CN exercised their right to take over ALL of the easements in Belle River, the proceeded considerately and professionally. The City of Windsor should do exactly the same.
Re: Bob…..I unfortunately live on Riverside Drive and have to walk 2.5 km. and back to Walkerville every day…Coming down to the Drive during a brief period of insanity at the start of each summer is not an option for me…it is something that I have to do every day…at rush hour…..