I was going to just peg a couple of you that I know, but I decided to open it up to everyone...
We're looking at moving that way this fall from the west end of 30A & much of our motivation is reducing our "footprint" car/van-wise. I am so tired of driving up and down the road with the kids, plus I am conscious of the neg effects on the environment & my wallet (via gas $$$).
We really want to live in Pt Wash but the ONLY drawback is the idea of crossing 98 at either intersection on a bicycle.... it scares the crap outta me. So my question is:
Who dares cross 98 on a bike? I know 1 person on here who does, but I'd like to find out about others who use their bikes as a major form of transportation.
For those that ride bikes a lot but don't dare cross 98, what do you do? Do you drive your vehicle and then hop on your bike when you get to 30A or the vicinity?
We've got a few months to make our decision, but staying on this end is not part of that, so we need to get some pointers on this whole cycling & safety issue.
In the back of my head, I picture an underpass of some sort that would allow cyclists & pedestrians a safe way across 98.....:roll:
Muchas gracias!
Replies
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SoWal Expert
Total tangent -- When I was walking the AT in Maine, I ran into another hiker who looked familiar. Turns out he was a former classmate's (ten years prior) boyfriend, who used to live on Cloverhurst. Talk about a small world.
Beach Fanatic
buenos noches chica! veo en la manyana si?
Beach FanaticAuthor
So... how much does this thing cost when it's all said and done? I can't seem to figure out what all you have to have to get the bike and carry two kids. I still don't think I could hold the bike up with both of them on it, but it's worth researching.
My back seat folds flat which is cool since I can't take it out because we have people ride with us so often (my young siblings, etc...). There's no way I can lift a trailer in there though! :funn:Which begs the question... how come we don't have a path going down 393?
I wish there were paths that connected north of 98 to south of it.
Depends on what type of bike you add it to. Ask Jen, John R, Soap Peddler or Arix. Those are the ones that I know have one right now. Soon, OM & crew will be scooting around on one....
Beach FanaticAuthor
buenos noches chica! veo en la manyana si?
Como siempre!
SoWal Expert
ckhagen, it is probably only a matter of time before you get a multi-use path down 393. The ones on 395, 283, and Thompson road were all constructed within the last two years. Now, with the new 30A "Scenic" designation, which also includes the feeder roads, new Federal funding will be coming available for improvements such as sidewalks, multi-use paths, etc.
Beach Fanatic
Yeah, this would all be a non-issue for me if there were a path coming down 393 (where there's not even a lane!... can't ride in the ditch).
eta: SJ... I hope you're right! Do the other ones come down the roads north of 98 as well, or just south of 98 to 30A?
eta: SJ... I hope you're right! Do the other ones come down the roads north of 98 as well, or just south of 98 to 30A?
Beach FanaticAuthor
Yeah, this would all be a non-issue for me if there were a path coming down 393 (where there's not even a lane!... can't ride in the ditch).
eta: SJ... I hope you're right! Do the other ones come down the roads north of 98 as well, or just south of 98 to 30A?
395 doesn't. I'd use Bay Drive & cross there.
CK, I can see you flying like a bat outta hail down the road with those 2 little guys on the back!
SoWal Expert
Currently, the roads to the north don't have the multi-use paths connecting. However, Bay Drive (aka - 283N) does have a 2ft wide bike lane through the curve and a wider road for the south bound bike traffic.
SoWal Expert
I have never had to wait for the light at 283 (Bay Dr.) and 98 (maybe I am heavy enough for the pad!)
Actually, there is always a car on every light change that will trip the light for you.
It's not a big deal- I wait, I look, I go. I was a bit nervous the first time, but now it is no big deal. The cars blowing by me doing 60 on Bay Dr. scare me more- that bike path loks wide, but it isn't really!
Organicmama, my only caution to those with kids is that it is hard to get going with kids on the back of the bike and I don't know if you would have enough time to get across. Also, you might want to check the distance- it is really tough hauling one kid on the back of a bike (Bdarg is the hauler when Kate is with us, and using a tandem so she can "help"), so I can't imagine getting 2 kids down to 30-A, ride around, then get back "up" to the neighborhood. She gets tired pedaling on the tandem, so I am pretty certain we are a year or two away from even thinking that she could pedal down and back by herself.
)Actually, there is always a car on every light change that will trip the light for you.
It's not a big deal- I wait, I look, I go. I was a bit nervous the first time, but now it is no big deal. The cars blowing by me doing 60 on Bay Dr. scare me more- that bike path loks wide, but it isn't really!
Organicmama, my only caution to those with kids is that it is hard to get going with kids on the back of the bike and I don't know if you would have enough time to get across. Also, you might want to check the distance- it is really tough hauling one kid on the back of a bike (Bdarg is the hauler when Kate is with us, and using a tandem so she can "help"), so I can't imagine getting 2 kids down to 30-A, ride around, then get back "up" to the neighborhood. She gets tired pedaling on the tandem, so I am pretty certain we are a year or two away from even thinking that she could pedal down and back by herself.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I have never had to wait for the light at 283 (Bay Dr.) and 98 (maybe I am heavy enough for the pad!
Actually, there is always a car on every light change that will trip the light for you.
It's not a big deal- I wait, I look, I go. I was a bit nervous the first time, but now it is no big deal. The cars blowing by me doing 60 on Bay Dr. scare me more- that bike path loks wide, but it isn't really!
Organicmama, my only caution to those with kids is that it is hard to get going with kids on the back of the bike and I don't know if you would have enough time to get across. Also, you might want to check the distance- it is really tough hauling one kid on the back of a bike (Bdarg is the hauler when Kate is with us, and using a tandem so she can "help"), so I can't imagine getting 2 kids down to 30-A, ride around, then get back "up" to the neighborhood. She gets tired pedaling on the tandem, so I am pretty certain we are a year or two away from even thinking that she could pedal down and back by herself.
You are not any heavier than I am!
But the question of timimg, etc. across the intersection, etc. comes to mind.Mainly, it will be me & little guy because I'm going to be doing most of my trips while they are in school. For other trips with the girlies, Mr. OM will be forced to have his own Xtracycle. Actually, he wants one & his will have the thingy where you can put a bike on it (for the ones that get tired).
I am actually looking forward to it. I laughed at the gas prices yesterday, but I've been expecting it for most of my adult life, knowing that Europe has been in this position forever regarding prices. So, I am looking forward to the idea of learning the ups & downs, being exhausted as hail & keeping going.
percy
I've seen your daughter, the Owl's Head Rover & the silver Porsche in that area....:shock:John R, is that thing tuned up and ready to roll? ;-)
I knew JDarg did & have grilled John R about his Xtracycle.
GRS, how often do you bike across? Regularly or just every once in a while?
BTW, Soap Peddler, I saw you on your Xtracycle last week heading into Sandestin and I was so excited!
SoWal Expert
John R, is that thing tuned up and ready to roll? ;-)
Are you gonna tootle around with me?
percy
Are you gonna tootle around with me?You know it! Counting on it. I have my dates set, neighbor.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I drove through Pt Wash after dropping #1 off at school. Bay Dr.'s issue is more that the auto lane is tiny & the SUVs tend to drive in the bike lane!!!
395 & Bay have so much less traffic than 393, so CK, that would be a big issue for me on your side of town. Not that there's not a lot of traffic at the other 2, it's just.... different, does not seem as heavily congested, at least at 8:15am.
I did see bikes headed down Bay without trouble, though.
SJ pointed out about Athens earlier. I used to want to bike in Athens, but the buses & small lanes on streets like Lumpkin scared me to death. 393 reminded me of that today.
395 & Bay have so much less traffic than 393, so CK, that would be a big issue for me on your side of town. Not that there's not a lot of traffic at the other 2, it's just.... different, does not seem as heavily congested, at least at 8:15am.I did see bikes headed down Bay without trouble, though.
SJ pointed out about Athens earlier. I used to want to bike in Athens, but the buses & small lanes on streets like Lumpkin scared me to death. 393 reminded me of that today.
Beach Fanatic
Yeah, 393 is really heavily trafficked in comparison. That's why my husband won't even jog down it! No shoulder, flying cars, and lots of them is really scary. There's a LOT of people who live back here and have to use 393 for their access to 98, far more than in Pt. Washington from my observation.
Beach Fanatic
I've rode my bike South on 393 to get to 30-A. When I'd see a car coming, I'd ride just off the road in the grass. When I got to the top of the hill where the sidewalk starts up, I had to spend 10 minutes picking all the stickers out of my tires. there were hundreds of them. Now I can't keep air in my front tire. 
Beach FanaticAuthor
I've rode my bike South on 393 to get to 30-A. When I'd see a car coming, I'd ride just off the road in the grass. When I got to the top of the hill where the sidewalk starts up, I had to spend 10 minutes picking all the stickers out of my tires. there were hundreds of them. Now I can't keep air in my front tire.
Our jogging stroller had those dang things embedded from cutting across the school yard. I just picked from Big Daddy's today, all fixed & no spurs!
Beach Fanatic
I showed dh the xtracycle today and asked his thoughts... the first thing out of his mouth was "you do realize you would never make it an inch on that thing right? If you did get started, you'd fall right over!". I'm a total weakling lightweight... the kids weight combined would be about 60% of my body weight, at least. No way I could hold the thing up and definitely no way I could pedal it with both of them on the back.
Beach Fanatic
Gee y'all, I guess I'm a sissy. Squirt had to ride his bike home from Fire a couple of weeks ago, and I was a nervous wreck until he called to tell us he was safely north of 98.
OTOH, after our last driving lesson - which involved dealing a failure-to-yield-athon at 283/98 - Squirt said he feels safer riding a bike through the intersection than driving through it !
OTOH, after our last driving lesson - which involved dealing a failure-to-yield-athon at 283/98 - Squirt said he feels safer riding a bike through the intersection than driving through it !
SoWal Expert
I feel the same way -- riding a bike through 283/98 feels much safer. Less distractions and you are much more aware of other vehicles, as you have no cage around you.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I showed dh the xtracycle today and asked his thoughts... the first thing out of his mouth was "you do realize you would never make it an inch on that thing right? If you did get started, you'd fall right over!". I'm a total weakling lightweight... the kids weight combined would be about 60% of my body weight, at least. No way I could hold the thing up and definitely no way I could pedal it with both of them on the back.
Woman, I know you &
you. You are one of the strongest & resourceful people I know. Weakling is not a an adjective that even describes you. You can do ANYTHING that you decide to do. You know that. I don't know your DH that well, but he seems like a good guy... however, it's whether you want to ride it that will determine if you can & will ride it.My two little ones combined are over 50% more than what I weigh. I'm still gonna do it.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Gee y'all, I guess I'm a sissy. Squirt had to ride his bike home from Fire a couple of weeks ago, and I was a nervous wreck until he called to tell us he was safely north of 98.
OTOH, after our last driving lesson - which involved dealing a failure-to-yield-athon at 283/98 - Squirt said he feels safer riding a bike through the intersection than driving through it !
I'm a sissy thinking about my kids even learning to drive a car.
That's one thing I wish I could stop time on.Beach Fanatic
I'm a sissy thinking about my kids even learning to drive a car.
It's a trip for sure...it seems like every time I get braver and allow him to drive in new places, some strange traffic situation will occur. Deer running across the road, vehicles broken down in inappropriate spots, people running lights...
SoWal Expert
I really worry about the kids crossing there, especially with all the extra out-of-towners descending this weekend.
Maybe those tall orange flags on their bikes could help make them a little more visible?
Maybe those tall orange flags on their bikes could help make them a little more visible?
Beach FanaticAuthor
It's a trip for sure...it seems like every time I get braver and allow him to drive in new places, some strange traffic situation will occur. Deer running across the road, vehicles broken down in inappropriate spots, people running lights...
Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Cannot fathom that experience yet.:shock:
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