I think the key here as with any other non-automobile oriented transportation is education. We somehow need to remove the idea that the street's sole purpose is for the movement of cars and everything else is secondary at best. Once that mentality is accomplished (probably an impossible dream) then slower vehicle lanes, or many of the other ideas wouldn't even be necessary because everyone could use and enjoy the streets we have. With a shrunken population we have more than enough infrastructure to get around for everyone. I feel like once you were to designate one street with this program it just gives drivers another reason to yell get off the road because now we have one of our own. We don't want to divide the infrastructure but learn to all share and use it equally without fear of life and limb. Drivers just need to realize that they are not entitled to go 30 mph on a road.

Bought a couple of vintage bikes last week, man, the city is in a whole different light when on bike. One of the best investments I have made in a long time!

my daily bicycle commute is 3 miles each way, it takes about 15 minutes going at a reasonable speed. i'm sure the same trip in a car would take about the same amount of time with stop signs, red lights and traffic. it is FAR more enjoyable on a bike, i get some exercise and fresh air. what's there not to like about that? i take plenty of leisure rides after work and on the weekends too, i wouldn't have it any other way.

i have to say though, people drive like IDIOTS. it is amazing how many traffic violations i see each day, not to mention general carelessness.

if Buffalo is considering any new developments that are geared (no pun intended) towards bicycles, those in charge should check this site out for ideas: http://www.copenhagenize.com/

This is the thread where we share our bicycle commutes, right? Just as long as I'm in the right place. :)

My commute is 11 miles to get out of the city to my job. The trip would be a lot quicker and simpler if I took the direct route (Main St) but instead I have worked out a circuitous route on the west side of it. I'm not against bikers using arterial routes (this greenway idea is GREAT) but as things stand today it's easier to take secondary streets and side streets. I use a site called bikely.com for finding and sharing safe and pleasant routes through the city and I would encourage everyone who bikes in Buffalo to submit their routes to it.

Here's my route, for anyone who is interested - http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/allentown-to-UB-north

I am a bike commuter as well, unless I take the time to walk.

Last night, rode from the Elmwood Village to Pearl Street Brewery and back. It's nice to burn off the beers (and while it still isn't safe to over consume and ride, it's much better than driving). Even though we got rained on, it still beats driving.

This summer I have been riding my bike 2 miles to work (on days I don't have appointments/meetings). I love riding in the morning down Richmond through Allentown and onward to downtown. It takes about the same amount of time as it does to drive, park, and walk to my building. I also celebrated my biking to work with a spectacular crash yesterday afternoon in my parking lot. I thought I broke my ribs, but they are just severely bruised. I'm hurting!!!

WhatRUsmoking, i agree with you. i hate watching cyclists ride against traffic and on busy sidewalks. car drivers and bike riders could stand to re(learn) the rules of the road, myself included. maybe the local bike shops could do safety workshops?

here's a list of bike laws for New York State: http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/web/NewYork/nybikes.htm