Comment 112420

By ergopepsi (registered) | Posted June 23, 2015 at 13:41:20 in reply to Comment 112416

I think this persons attitude is one that needs just as much attention as the lack of cycling infrastructure and city councils aversion to the subject. Cyclists are seen by many - and probably most at city hall - as an annoyance that should be gotten rid of. If that attitude can be changed I think the largest battle would be won. It is this kind of emotional resistance that makes even the smallest improvement almost impossible to gain.

How do you win over those who think cyclists are annoying losers that run red lights and stop signs and make us all late for work? Not sure. One thing might be to move the cycling lanes out of traffic. It would a)remove the cyclists from the car drivers field of vision and b) be safer for the cyclist. Take a look at the image Ryan posted in this comments section of Hess St. Perhaps areas like this could have the bike lane next to the sidewalk with the 16 foot hashed lines between it and the car lane. Many little improvements like that could go a long way.

Also, I think current cyclists should really try to be good ambassadors for cycling in their day to day. I have seen grown sensible looking adults cycling at speed on sidewalks weaving around pedestrians - and yes blowing through stop signs. Just yesterday I saw a cyclist riding in the middle of the road down Dundurn with a trail of cars following behind her. The bike lane was right there but she wasn't using it. These actions only serve to increase anger towards cyclists and re-enforce the arguments against cycling in general.

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