BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I just yell "ding! ding! ding!" really loud. I recommend the practice.

Yes actually I have been yelling "corner!" But still, you would agree, it wouldn't take much to mount a decent mirror on a pole.

This mirror has been mounted by one of the board members as an experiment.

The long-term solution will be building a bridge crossing the train track (please see picture below). The RiverLife representative I met at the PGH Bike Plan Open House said the train companies are difficult to deal with. They do not allow new grade crossings to be installed, and they may still say no to bridge crossings even if they are funded by others. The 2nd Ave to EFT trailhead bike path is meant to be walked instead of biked through, as "recommended" on a sign nearby. I'd get on the roads if I am in a hurry. In fact, when going inbound for EFT, I usually ride on the road even during rush hours. It can be a nerve-wrecking experience since traffic from Irvine or Greenfield streets usually travel fast. I found it usually safer to wait till traffic light change before merging into traffic. And do ride in the middle of the lane. There is no shoulder at the right bend to 2nd Ave under the bridge. If you are next to a vehicle, you will definitely be pinched between the vehicle and the barrier!

The whole Chute thing is just wrong. I use the street, in both directions. It works fine, you just need to figure out the (car traffic) timing. My hoped-for solution is to simply have a tunnel under the tracks connecting EFT and Saline. Yes, UPMC (or is it Pitt?) will likely have to give up some parking spaces. But since they keep nagging their clients and employees about "healthy living" how could they possibly object?

It's actually part of a hubcap. I glued it there as an experiment. I'm amazed it's started up so long. A proper mirror would cost something like $30-50 I think. (Stainless steel.) Mounting it there would not be too hard. And given how long the hubcap has lasted, it would probably endure.

@jonawebb that is, unless the city removes it

Can someone just use that spray paint that isn't permanent, like what was used to mark bike Pgh routes, to spray on the concrete walls at the intersections something like "remove headphones, ring bell" or something of the sort? I ring just bell, but if someone is wearing headphones, they won't hear it, especially with how loud the traffic can be there.

Never had a problem with the chute, but I go slow on the bends and give a yell. No big deal for me, but of course not ideal. I am always happy to be away from autos and thankful for any sort of safe passage, which it is.

Also need a mirror at the bottom of Bates Street where it connects to the jail trail via 2d avenue. Only had one crash there, neither of us was injured, but I'm always nervous about it, especially since those coming down the sidewalk on Bates under the bridge sometimes carry quite a bit of speed. A bell, or a shout is a good idea also, just like they do around the bends in the Alps.

If anyone takes the road in for the first time, be aware that there's often gravel and/or sand on Swinburne when you turn off 2nd. The natural inclination is to carry the speed down the hill as to get off of 2nd Ave is quickly as possible. You can't really see the danger until you get there and it's too late. I've seen multiple people down because of this.

In my survey last year of the chute during both morning and afternoon commute times, a very high majority of people used the road heading towards town and the chute heading out of town. That fact, including going around the corners slowly and giving a noise (yell, bell, or otherwise) warning made my 12 years of commuting that route problem free. Two bikes can pass safely on the straight part, but they should not have to.

It seems to me that 10% of the time I will have a little scare from oncoming joggers or cyclists. Like gg, I just ring my bell and assume there's someone coming the other way...until they don't 90% of the time.