Bike lanes drive cyclists, motorists crazy
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By VICTORIA AYOTTE BROWN / Lincoln Journal Star
It was a relatively quiet week on JournalStar.com. Readers still submitted more than 400 comments a day, but there were no burning issues.
1. The most-commented story for the week was “Bike lanes help cyclists get out on the street,” with 56 published comments.
Many readers thought the bike lanes are confusing and questioned the location for them downtown.
“I know the middle of the street is where they’re ‘supposed’ to be, but they probably would have been a lot more functional and/or safe if they’d have taken a chunk of sidewalk instead of eliminating driving lanes,” good in theory bad in practice wrote. “I need to use 14th Street around rush hour quite often, and I get trapped in a massive traffic jam because there are only two driving lanes left for cars.”
AD commented: “If the city really wants to be bicycle-friendly, then it needs bike racks on the city buses. The bike racks are really needed in times of such high fuel cost and would increase bus ridership.”
2. Bruning visits Northern Iraq; 47 comments published.
Readers were very critical of Attorney General Jon Bruning, prompting a look at the IP addresses of commenters to make sure there wasn’t a campaign going on. JournalStar.com only allows commenters to post once per story, but only a few offenders were found in this case.
“Over there in the Middle East means Bruning is not attending to Nebraska business as we elected him to attend to in the state,” pollencruncher said. “Reading the headlines of late, maybe we can get a one-way ticket for future travel to someplace in the Middle East and not have an absent elected official.”
“Think they’d be willing to keep him?” Bill asked.
3. Grass, weeds could be allowed to grow to 12 inches; 47 comments published.
Commenters were mixed on whether the law should be changed, with many commenting on neighbors’ lawns or city mowing practices.
“The height is not always the issue, but what is growing in the yard or field. My neighbors will mow their yards but not deal with the weeds within the yards,” homeowner wrote.
Dawg commented: “The city has property with grass and weeds higher than 6 inches, so it’s about time the public can, too.”
4. Advocacy groups criticize Bruning record on bias cases; 45 comments published.
This issue has continued to be a lightning rod, with as many for as against Bruning’s stance.
“Bruning has said that he would prosecute landlords if they discriminated against Hispanics or other groups, but he would not be a free civil lawyer for individuals who are illegal immigrants,” Go Bruning wrote. “Enough said — he is doing his job, people — wake up.”
But Jan said: “Wow. The AG is in talks to decide if or when he will follow the law. Oh, yes, we have a great justice system, don’t we (sarcasm).”
5. Sheriff under fire for drinking in car on trip; 39 comments published.
Just about as many thought the revelation that the Lincoln County sheriff and other passengers in a car on a way to a conference was drinking was no big deal as thought it was terrible.
“This type of behavior gives all law enforcement a bad name,” Current Sheriff said. “If you are sworn to uphold the law you should have the integrity not to break the law.”
“Come on … haven’t most of us done it at one point or another?” Break asked. “When is he allowed to be a guy and have a beer? I don’t mind and neither should anyone else … the driver was not drinking!”
Reach Victoria Ayotte Brown at 473-7338 or vayotte@journalstar.com.
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Try driving in China, Europe. You'd find having the 2 1/2 lanes in downtown Lincoln is spacious.
Co existing w/ others may be the real key. "
not complicated wrote on May 13, 2008 9:05 am:
Complaining about something is easy as well. "
natefrog wrote on May 13, 2008 10:06 am:
Please cite where in the JournalStar's published terms of use this is located. "
Victoria Ayotte Brown interactivity editor wrote on May 13, 2008 12:02 pm:
From the FAQ: You posted my first comment to this article, but none of my others. Why?
Commenters are discouraged from posting multiple responses to the same article. Unlike blogs and message board forums, the comments sections on our articles are not intended for lengthy back-and-forth discussions and arguments between posters. Comments that directly engage other posters are typically not allowed for that same reason. In terms of diversity of opinion, fewer posts by a greater number of people beats multiple posts by a small number of people.
Also, we encourage you to pick a screen name - and stick with it. While it may be tempting to try to spam a particular thread with your opinion using a series of different screen names, we can usually tell when this is occurring. We disallow these comments and make note of the posters who are partaking in this activity.
"
natefrog wrote on May 13, 2008 12:12 pm:
dave wrote on May 13, 2008 3:53 pm:
Commuter from Beatrice wrote on May 14, 2008 7:31 am:
the other gripe i have is, if you bikers wanna be on the road, and you want to be in the 'MIDDLE' of the road in the bike lane -- then OBEY the traffic lights..... i'm soooooo tired of seeing bicyclists looking to see that it's clear, and then they go..... if your on the road, then OBEY the road rules, you are NOT exempt!!!!!!! "
soo true wrote on May 14, 2008 2:59 pm:
It is true to see bikers not following the rules of the road and think red lights only are for cars, You need to obey the light just like cars do. If you want respect on the road follow the rules too. "
rebate wrote on May 14, 2008 7:47 pm:
dewboy wrote on May 14, 2008 11:36 pm: