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For those who live in Pt Wash & bike....

organicmama avatar
organicmamaBeach Fanatic
10,008 views
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

60
greenroomsurfer avatar
greenroomsurferBeach Fanatic
#2
Myself, Jdarg, JohnR, and a plethora of other people I don't know. Watch out for my 16 old daughter though. Watch out for the Owl's head Rover and the silver Porche.:yikes:
organicmama avatar
organicmamaBeach FanaticAuthor
#3
Myself, Jdarg, JohnR, and a plethora of other people I don't know. Watch out for my 16 old daughter though. Watch out for the Owl's head Rover and the silver Porche.:yikes:

I've seen your daughter, the Owl's Head Rover & the silver Porsche in that area....:shock:

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!:clap:
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#4
I cross 98 on a bicycle and find it much safer than in a car, due to my awareness and lack of distractions like cell phone, radio, car noise, etc. It is easy when riding alone, but I'm sure that everything you do with more than one person leads to the herd mentality, and can prove more difficult, especially with young kids. I do, however, think you can teach all three of them good safe habits, and cross with no problem with patience. Your kids seem to listen very well.
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#5
Girl, you need to see Juice Bar Jen's Extra Cycle Beach Cruiser. That thing is awesome -- looks like the Cadillac of bicycles.
greenroomsurfer avatar
greenroomsurferBeach Fanatic
#6
I use to live right next to the peddler. I just had back surgery (remember) but I keep the bike at the store and ride and swim from there in the mawnin. But if your feeling froggy you can pull me around in one of those little yellow carts that go behind the bike.😀
organicmama avatar
organicmamaBeach FanaticAuthor
#7
I cross 98 on a bicycle and find it much safer than in a car, due to my awareness and lack of distractions like cell phone, radio, car noise, etc. It is easy when riding alone, but I'm sure that everything you do with more than one person leads to the herd mentality, and can prove more difficult, especially with young kids. I do, however, think you can teach all three of them good safe habits, and cross with no problem with patience. Your kids seem to listen very well.

Are you SURE we're talking about the same kids?:floor: They hear my voice and it's already instant tune mommy out!

Honestly, though, they are safety freaks, so teaching the girls won't be a problem. Little guy is a holy terror when it comes to safety, so when he's older, Mr. OM will be teaching him, not me.

I'm looking at #2 & 3 being on the bike with me & #1 will be riding alone. Actually, for practical purposes, it will mainly be little guy in a seat because I'll have 2 in school most of the time.
organicmama avatar
organicmamaBeach FanaticAuthor
#8
I use to live right next to the peddler. I just had back surgery (remember) but I keep the bike at the store and ride and swim from there in the mawnin. But if your feeling froggy you can pull me around in one of those little yellow carts that go behind the bike.😀

Are you going to squeeze in between two little ones?:floor:
organicmama avatar
organicmamaBeach FanaticAuthor
#9
Girl, you need to see Juice Bar Jen's Extra Cycle Beach Cruiser. That thing is awesome -- looks like the Cadillac of bicycles.

I know. That's what I really want. Every time I'm in Seaside, she's so busy that I can't talk to her about it. But I figured out where she got the blender from!
Jdarg avatar
JdargSoWal Expert
#10
Bdarg apparently listens to me occasionally because he just put together my cushy new bike seat.

I rode too far today.:( Going to bed now!
John R avatar
John Rneeds to get out more
#11
no problem crossing 98, just need a little extra diligence, and wait for the light.
organicmama avatar
organicmamaBeach FanaticAuthor
#12
no problem crossing 98, just need a little extra diligence, and wait for the light.

John & SJ, do you guys use your bikes as your primary or secondary vehicle?
bluemtnrunner avatar
bluemtnrunnerBeach Fanatic
#13
When we have crossed we actually do it in the wrong lane so we can avoid all of the cars turning West onto 98. It is a little bit nerve racking though.
organicmama avatar
organicmamaBeach FanaticAuthor
#14
Bdarg apparently listens to me occasionally because he just put together my cushy new bike seat.

I rode too far today.:( Going to bed now!

Would you let him NOT listen to you?😀 You're too much like me. Good job, BDarg!
organicmama avatar
organicmamaBeach FanaticAuthor
#15
When we have crossed we actually do it in the wrong lane so we can avoid all of the cars turning West onto 98. It is a little bit nerve racking though.

Makes sense & it's part of what I have been pondering. Thanks!
ckhagen avatar
ckhagenBeach Fanatic
#16
I'm not in Pt. Washington, but rather north of 98 by a couple blocks in SRB at 393.
We've been putting off buying bikes because I would have two kids in a trailer crossing 98 AND riding down 393 S with no bike path! 😱
No way am I even attempt it. Those crazy drivers would most definitely run us over and I would never forgive myself. That said, I can't get a bike and a trailer into my van to drive it across... bah.
organicmama avatar
organicmamaBeach FanaticAuthor
#17
I'm not in Pt. Washington, but rather north of 98 by a couple blocks in SRB at 393.
We've been putting off buying bikes because I would have two kids in a trailer crossing 98 AND riding down 393 S with no bike path! 😱
No way am I even attempt it. Those crazy drivers would most definitely run us over and I would never forgive myself. That said, I can't get a bike and a trailer into my van to drive it across... bah.

Hey! Okay, you & I are in the same position, kid-wise, minus my soon to be 2nd grader. What I am going to buy is an Xtracycle. Go to www.xtracycle.com. It's not a separate trailer that attaches via hitch to the bike. It actually becomes a part of the bike.

The whole regular trailer thingy would scare the hail outta me going across.
Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#18
My bikes are my secondary, thirdondary and forthondary means of transportation. I now keep one bike in the car, just in case I want to get out and pedal.

FYI- I find that my 255lbs isn't enough weight to make the traffic light recognize that I am waiting for the light to change, so unless a car pulls up onto the pad, the light won't change, and I have to run the red -- just a problem with those darn weight pads for traffic signals. I had the same problem living in Athens, and for several years, my bike was my main mode of transportation.
ckhagen avatar
ckhagenBeach Fanatic
#19
Hm... that's interesting. I like it, but I'm terrified I would fall over (I don't weigh much, lol!) with all that weight on the back of one wheel with no wheelbase to stabilize it! Something to think about though.
organicmama avatar
organicmamaBeach FanaticAuthor
#20
My bikes are my secondary, thirdondary and forthondary means of transportation. I now keep one bike in the car, just in case I want to get out and pedal.

FYI- I find that my 255lbs isn't enough weight to make the traffic light recognize that I am waiting for the light to change, so unless a car pulls up onto the pad, the light won't change, and I have to run the red -- just a problem with those darn weight pads for traffic signals. I had the same problem living in Athens, and for several years, my bike was my main mode of transportation.

I actually took the last row out of the van, so I have room to put a bike or two in there.

We wouldn't make the weight, either, even with 75Lbs of kids, myself at 145 & the bike. Offhand & not really important, does anyone know what the weight requirement is on those pads?

My feet & the bus were the combo for Athens. Prince Ave was a beautiful walk from Sunset Drive to the Law Library while pg with #1. Before that, I lived off Cloverhurst, so I could get anywhere by foot in less than 15 minutes: school, work, a bar....

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