Comment 32802

By arienc (registered) | Posted August 14, 2009 at 09:59:17

I fall somewhere in between Brandon and Jason's position.

When riding alone, commutning to work, I am confident enough now that I'll be OK on the roadway. It did take a conscious decision not to be intimidated by speeding traffic to get to that point.

Cycling at normal speed (20-30 kph) is too dangerous on sidewalks or even on bike paths where there are intersections with traffic.

While riding with my child (in a bike trailer), my primary concern is his safety. I would NEVER ride with him on anything busier than a collector road, and only then where a bike lane is provided. All other times I use the sidewalk or multi-use path. Luckily pulling a trailer keeps speeds down so I don't have to worry so much about cars entering the intersections.

Ultimately we need infrastructure, but even a European style cysle track doesn't work in busy urban or suburban high volume roadways, unless drivers entering or exiting the road give right of way 100% of the time to cyclists using the bike path. In my estimation, that requires a few key safety features:

  • a seperate signalling system for bikes co-ordinated with other traffic signals,
  • warning marks (ie. coloured paint on road) that signal to motorists VERY clearly the presence of a bike facility
  • one-way cycling on both sides of the street,
  • the total elimination of right turns on red for motorists.
  • the absence of curb cutouts for entry to businesses (a full right turn lane signalized where it crosses the bike path)

"First they built the road, then they built the town. That's why we're still driving around and around, and all we see. Are kids in buses. Longing to be free." - Wasted Hours, The Arcade Fire

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