Seattlest: A S.L.U.T. Is Born

jiffxx

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:13:34 -0800

I guess the $52 million wasn't a complete waste, Seattle got some slut jokes and a song.

eldan

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 07:33:23 -0800

@8: Where in the street are Dutch trams placed? The only part of the Netherlands I've been to is Amsterdam, and there I seem to recall a lot of separated roadways, keeping trams, bikes and cars apart. Where they weren't separated, I think the trams tended to be in the middle of the street, which also minimises clashes with bikes.

Euromutt

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:34:44 -0800

I'm originally from the Netherlands; lots of bicycles, and tram systems in several major cities (one of which I lived in). The risk of getting your wheel caught in a tram rail is just one of the things you become aware of and deal with by looking out for it. I don't see why Seattle cyclists couldn't learn to do the same.

brappy

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:09:51 -0800

@ Charles (#5)... But I'm not sure that protesting the city's only new rapid mass transit option is really the way to go on this one. Seems like us bike riders could find a way to get our message out without pissing off every constituency out there. I'm not sure bike riders in Seattle know how to do that. To the average person, they come across as rude, angry and overly aggressive.

jseattle

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:21:46 -0800

Speaking of hand on the throttle, can you imagine being that guy/gal today? Talk about nerve wracking. With the city's undies in a very tight bundle about all things *public transport*, I'd be white knuckling this job for weeks. Buy that SLUT operator a beer!

Charles Redell

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:19:14 -0800

The bike protester was there because the rails are spaced so wide apart that bike tires can easily get caught in them. Apparently some bike lobby was working to get the city to deal with it by putting rubber between the rails which would squish down when the SLUT runs over it but not when bikes do. Instead, the city put up warning signs. The rails ARE scary to ride your bike over. But I'm not sure that protesting the city's only new rapid mass transit option is really the way to go on this one. Seems like us bike riders could find a way to get our message out without pissing off every constituency out there.

Dan

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:22:47 -0800

It was slow, but it looked like there were some obvious ways to pick the pace up a bit. Better timing with the lights and a more aggressive hand on the throttle would help a lot.

Michael van Baker

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:08:54 -0800

I have high hopes for the streetcar eventually a) being timed with the lights and b) annexing its lane as streetcar-only (during rush hour at least) in the name of safety after it crushes a few cars. That should speed things up nicely.

Dan

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:57:55 -0800

I know, right? It's a secret. http://www.lakeunionwatertaxi.com/schedule.html

Seth

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:45:58 -0800

There's a water taxi from The Center for Wooden Boats to Ivars?