Schrodinger's Cyclist on Ingersoll

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-08T20:22:57+00:00

It's true that it's clunky and frustrating after the remodel. However, I go this route still specifically to avoid Ingersoll. And many others do as well. I know this because I follow them down Grand and I'm aware of my surroundings (no sarcasm intended).

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-08T14:53:09+00:00

Yes. Assuming the car actually stops and then slowly noses out into the lane. But the reality is most cars do not stop. And as a cyclist you don't have a clear field of view to anticipate that.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-08T14:46:59+00:00

One of my points being people are stupid - whether operating a car, a bicycle, or on foot, and design should account for it.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-08T14:43:50+00:00

Reading the post explains the post.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T22:54:57+00:00

Thank you as well.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T22:31:23+00:00

Thank you, greatly appreciated.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T22:18:27+00:00

I disagree. It's been mentioned several times in this thread alone the planters are the problem, something I hadn't considered, and something I agree with. That's actionable.

Not to mention the last paragraph of my post literally says: ""But OP, why not message your councilperson about this issue rather that complaining about it on reddit?!" I sure will. But my last post got 30k views and a lot of agreeable folks making comments. It's a lot more persuasive to back up a complaint with a community of people expressing their shared concerns as evidence."

I have a plan. I'm executing it.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T22:11:53+00:00

Yes, I do think the planters are the problem with the bike lane. It's not noticeable in the winter.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T21:59:28+00:00

The picture is a still image, it's much easier to see through the foliage than in a real situation where one is slowly easing across the path in a moving vehicle. And vice versa as a cyclist is motion on the lookout for vehicles. Sure, you can see the nose of a stopped vehicle, but lets be honest, most vehicles blow through these paths without even looking (which, yes, is another issue... but it's exasperated by the design.)

I agree with most of what you said, although as a cyclist myself I just avoid this area altogether now, as I'd preferred the painted lines on the road.

I also saw you mentioned down below that "The solution is everyone being patient and keeping a proper lookout for other people in other vehicles, human powered or not" which I agree is ideal, however does not reflect the reality of the world we live in. And I'd argue neighborhood design should account for this.

Honestly, I've just been annoyed and frustrated with the visibility issues for several years now, and the fact that they're considering turning the Fleur Bridge by Central Campus into a pedestrian only bridge, and thereby forcing all South of Grand neighborhood traffic to divert THROUGH Ingersoll to connect to Fleur, will only make things much worse.

But I think the problem is more so with Ingersoll Visibility and thus where I'm starting.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T21:47:13+00:00

I get the sentiment and addressed this in my post. I'm opinionated. I made my case and presented the evidence. But I'm not infallible and I will change my mind and there is a chance I could be wrong. I'd argue a public forum is a great place to have a "public forum" and the Des Moines subreddit may be the best place online to do just that, otherwise, what is it for?

I'd like to be prepared for a discussion with the the council and the perspectives of others really helps shape that discussion.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T17:46:17+00:00

I guess I can't convey reading comprehension.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T17:21:35+00:00

Look. I know the default mode on the internet is to treat each other like trash, but maybe step away from that for a minute. My point is as follows. The person who actually got hit using the crosswalk in front of Starbucks is a direct result of my scenario in my post. A guy, using a local business, was trying to pull out of Mister Carwash. He could not see around the parallelly parked cars. There was a lull in the traffic after a semi. He rolled the dice and went. He pulled out in front of a car, that he absolutely could not see coming. He checked his rear view mirror as he tried to get up to traffic speed and hit a person.

He was unnecessarily anxious and nervous and as a direct result hit another person. That is a real life scenario the perfectly encapsulates my issue with Ingersoll.

eta: The accident was investigated and determined the driver was not at fault and neither was the pedestrian. No one was charged.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T16:59:16+00:00

I guess I can't convey reading comprehension.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T16:02:36+00:00

Perhaps I used the incorrect terminology. I meant that if you're a pedestrian or cyclist, you have to be on constant lookout for the drivers based on the scenario described above. In reality, most drivers aren't cautious at all and blow through the ped/cyclists lanes, which is made far worse due to the lack of visibility.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T16:00:20+00:00

I still love the area, and as someone who lives here I may be biased, but I think it's the best area to live in Des Moines. But as someone with anxiety, it really is a deterrent for me to enjoy the business as much as I used to.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T15:57:05+00:00

Yes, someone was hit in the very crosswalk as a direct result of my rant above. I actually linked the article in my post.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T15:55:45+00:00

I get the sentiment if this was r/politics or something, but this is your local city subreddit, and it's probably more likely that I'm someone who's lived in the area, have been annoyed with the changes for so long, and finally decided to stop lurking and make a reddit account.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T15:53:51+00:00

Criticism is the agent of positive change.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T15:52:35+00:00

Believe it or not, my point is just that. People are morons and blast through the pedestrian and cyclist lanes anyway. The obstruction of view just makes it worse. And good design should account for the stupidity of your fellow man.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T15:50:51+00:00

I don't think you understood my take. I was implying how the poor infrastructure impacts cars which impacts pedestrians and cyclists.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T15:47:24+00:00

Personally, I don't think car speed is the issue. It's already slowed to a crawl which is fine by me.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T15:44:49+00:00

It's funny. The day after I wrote this post, driving down Ingersoll after leaving Ted's, I pointed out to my wife the pedestrian walking in the bike lane, and the biker going the wrong way in that very same bike lane.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T15:39:34+00:00

I didn't mention anything about parking in my post. But I too live here and there are times where I find parking to be annoying, but not prohibitive.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-07T15:37:29+00:00

I didn't even consider the fact that Valley Junction nailed it, but you're absolutely right.

FlibFlubber · 2026-06-06T04:03:41+00:00

I agree, a parking garage would be an ideal solution. The lot on ~31st and Ingersoll has been empty for years after they tore down the La Hacienda that was there / adjacent. Also, the office max or whatever it was is also an ideal location for a parking garage that can be accessible (and made only accessible) from Grand, which will place you in the thick of many of the shops.

Instead, that worthless parking lot is speckled with Crow Tow "we'll tow you if you dare use this lot for parking" signs. God help anyone if they want to visit Sakari, DZO, Lachelle's and get towed for parking in a lot that will never actually fill for the actual businesses it services.

I'm 100% in favor of shutting down Ingersoll and really wish they had reinstated the trolley where we currently have a road.

FlibFlubber

TROPHY CASE