This is one answer to, "Why is the Netherlands so different for biking?"
When Cyclists Matter: http://momentummag.com/videos/when-cyclists-matter It isn't just the infrastructure. As a matter of fact, without the education of all road users and enforcement of traffic laws, we will never reach anywhere near the levels we see in many European cities. Imagine the same crash scenario in the US. Can you imagine the comments that would have poured in to the article? And can you imagine how little coverage this incident would have gotten? I am coming around to the idea of cycletracks - physically separated facilities for bikes that are within the right-of-way of the roadway (as opposed to paths, which are usually completely apart from the road) - but we must also make sure that drivers both understand and respect the way these facilities are to be used. I fear right-hooks from motorists turning without yielding to people in the cycletracks will be the biggest problem. The reason everyone feels safe biking in many places in Europe is not just the infrastructure. It's because motorists respect bicyclists. And when they don't, there are severe legal AND social sanctions. Robbie Webber Transportation Policy Analyst State Smart Transportation Initiative www.ssti.us 608-263-9984 (o) [email protected]
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