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Lou Giconi
Joined: 19 Feb 2009
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 Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:52 am Post subject: |
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I'm finding with all the development down around the Hangang its more stressful cycling on the designed bike paths than it is on the road.
It's like running a 'guantlet' and trying to make it through in one piece.
The worst thing, and I've completely snapped over it, is when the arse in front of you decides to spit without even to bother to check who is behind him or beside him.
Again, it's great that they are developing the bike paths, but some of the decisions they have made I really have to question.
For example, the developed the lower deck of Banpo bridge (forgot it's actual name) and opened up greater access points onto the bridge from the river banks, but they've also placed the bike path immediate to the access points, and not on the inside parallel to the car lanes. Crazy!
So, now you've got pedestrians entering onto the bridge at more access points without looking, and entering directly onto the bike lane. Wham!
Even worse, further up at the centre of the bridge, they've extended out the side of the bridge for sightseeing, between pillars, so you can't see if anyone is up ahead on the other side of the pillar and again, you have some person oblivious to what's going on --Wham!
All they had to do, was place the bike path on the inside lane away from the access points, and it might have made a difference, but doubtful as you still have a legion of ajummas walking 7-9 across oblivious to everything around them.
It's one thing to build new bike paths, but I think they need to educate people first as it's getting nuts out there... |
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Lou Giconi wrote: |
I'm finding with all the development down around the Hangang its more stressful cycling on the designed bike paths than it is on the road.
It's like running a 'guantlet' and trying to make it through in one piece.
The worst thing, and I've completely snapped over it, is when the arse in front of you decides to spit without even to bother to check who is behind him or beside him.
Again, it's great that they are developing the bike paths, but some of the decisions they have made I really have to question.
For example, the developed the lower deck of Banpo bridge (forgot it's actual name) and opened up greater access points onto the bridge from the river banks, but they've also placed the bike path immediate to the access points, and not on the inside parallel to the car lanes. Crazy!
So, now you've got pedestrians entering onto the bridge at more access points without looking, and entering directly onto the bike lane. Wham!
Even worse, further up at the centre of the bridge, they've extended out the side of the bridge for sightseeing, between pillars, so you can't see if anyone is up ahead on the other side of the pillar and again, you have some person oblivious to what's going on --Wham!
All they had to do, was place the bike path on the inside lane away from the access points, and it might have made a difference, but doubtful as you still have a legion of ajummas walking 7-9 across oblivious to everything around them.
It's one thing to build new bike paths, but I think they need to educate people first as it's getting nuts out there... |
It would be interesting to know the planning process that goes into establishing the new biking facilities. I heard that the mayor Seoul is a keen cyclist and I have the impression that a fair number of Seoul City Hall workers might be cyclists too. I wonder how much and what kind of input they seek from the wider cycling community. |
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prideofidaho
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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Think I saw some automated rental bikes near Bonghwasan subway station last night. I'm not sure, but there was a row of identical shiny red bikes, but I was across the street so I couldn't be sure.
I also thought I saw something about this in the news a while back.
Any truth to the automated rental bikes? (and sorry to hijack) |
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| prideofidaho wrote: |
Think I saw some automated rental bikes near Bonghwasan subway station last night. I'm not sure, but there was a row of identical shiny red bikes, but I was across the street so I couldn't be sure.
I also thought I saw something about this in the news a while back.
Any truth to the automated rental bikes? (and sorry to hijack) |
Not a hijack at all  .
I've heard a bit about it too, and just tried searching for some new information (without much luck).
I believe Seoul City Hall wants to set up something similar to the Velib system in France. I'll keep on searching |
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prideofidaho
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:24 am Post subject: |
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| prideofidaho wrote: |
http://www.korea.net/News/news/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20080527013&part=109&SearchDay=
I guess it's something like this. |
Thanks for the link. I found a wee bit of extra information about it.
http://www.ytn.co.kr/news/theme_view.php?tidx=984&key=200805280649132670
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Seoul's Kangnam District has started a free rental project with bicycles that anyone can use.
Kangnam district has placed a total of 385 bicycles in places with high foot traffic, such as subway stations, department stores and traffic transfer points. After becoming a member bicycles are available for use on a day to day basis.
Kangnam District has begum by making 135 bicycles available for commuters and school students at both Chungdam Station and Kangnam District Office Station on subway line number 7. After demonstating their usage there the plan is to expand the project to 4 department stores and the Tancheon transfer carpark within half a year.
If you want to make use of this service please visit the District Office Traffic Department or apply via the Internet |
I hope the bikes get well used and are both respected by the public and well-maintained by the District Office. It's sad to say but I doubt if this kind of project would be so successful in New Zealand - the bikes would be vandalized or stolen  |
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