Peter Rosenfeld
Thu, 18 Jul 2002 14:06:01 -0700
> From: Sue McNamara Tancredi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >My concern is that we reprsent the spectrum of bicyclists in this discussion. >How do older cyclists feel about bike lanes? How about mothers with baby seats? >Or mothers who send their children oout on a bike so the child has greater >personal mobility? Racers? Recreaeational riders? ... >Elected official, government and nonprofit advocacy groups operate in the >public trust. That means they must keep the public reasonaly safe, but they >also must repond the the wishes of the majority of the public. But keeping the public safe must be done first as part of the public trust. I would not ask if a design is "reasonably safe", but whether the design actually increases or decreases safety relative to no facility, both in the short and long term. All lane designs or other facilities should be analyzed from a traffic engineering point of view for safety. Ethically, no facility should reinforce dangerous practices just because some subclass of the population wants it. Ideally, a facility should enhance safety/improve bicycling practices. If they pass that hurdle, THEN I would ask if they make a given street more attractive or comfortable for various types/classes of bicyclists and meet public demands. -Peter Rosenfeld ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley list named "bike." To subscribe or unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.