bike lanes save money/lives/health

The_Squid · July 21, 2014

http://grist.org/cities/bike-lanes-save-lives-and-money/

In every scenario, between $6 and $24 were saved for every dollar spent, compared to a business-as-usual baseline. How, you ask? In addition to the pollution, traffic congestion, and sedentary-lifestyle health problems associated with cars, society bears the brunt of our automobile addiction in the form of medical and emergency services. That car crash is, yes, tragic, but it is also expensive.

Separated bike lanes are a win-win and this infrastructure should be funded by all levels of government. We all pay for other infrastructure whether we use it or not, and this bike lane infrastructure should be no different.

Currently, in most Canadian cities, cyclists have to vie for space with motorists. This is just silly. It leads to cyclist deaths and road rage from motorists who don't understand the concept of "sharing" the roadway.

Also, cyclists should have different rules when it comes to operating their bikes. Now, they are lumped in with motor vehicles and motorists get angry when a cyclist doesn't stop at a stop sign. This is despite the fact that it is safer and more efficient for the cyclist to operate differently than a motor vehicle.

Here is a great summary of the situation and explanation of why cyclists should have different rules applied to them:

But the cyclists are probably in the right here. While it's obviously reckless for them to blow through an intersection when they don't have the right of way, research and common sense say that slowly rolling through a stop sign on a bike shouldn't be illegal in the first place

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/9/5691098/why-cyclists-should-be-able-to-roll-through-stop-signs-and-ride

BubberMiley · July 21, 2014

This seem like a great issue to devolve into the typical right vs. left debate. I guess the lefties have to be the cyclists though, even though they probably don't ride bikes any more than conservatives do.

Mighty AC · July 21, 2014

Cycle lanes are an outstanding idea and there is even a cheap and easy way to improve safety at intersections without needing additional space. Check out this 2 min video:

bush_cheney2004 · July 21, 2014

Cyclists routinely hold themselves above the law out of an assumption that their mode of transportation is superior for health, cost, and impact on the environment. Cyclists often eschew safety gear, signaling turns, lighting, licensing (where required), and insurance for injuries and property damage. They want all the rights of motor vehicles on the road without all the responsibilities.

Cyclists can/do injure and kill pedestrians:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/pedestrian-80-killed-in-collision-with-cyclist/article1315137/

guyser · July 21, 2014

Cyclists routinely hold themselves above the law out of an assumption that their mode of transportation is superior for health, cost, and impact on the environment

No they dont. If you think so, post up a cite.

They hold themselves to actions that iritate other drivers because they can and do not get caught.

guyser · July 21, 2014

Separated bike lanes are a win-win and this infrastructure should be funded by all levels of government.

Some of the problem is the fact that for half a year (or more) they can/may stay empty.

Add on top of that liability for not plowing lanes (be it separate or not) should the masses use these in winter.

The_Squid · July 21, 2014

This seem like a great issue to devolve into the typical right vs. left debate. I guess the lefties have to be the cyclists though, even though they probably don't ride bikes any more than conservatives do.

Cycle paths are a very conservative idea.... for every $1 spent, the return is $6 - $24.

I don't really care what lefties/righties do... I cycle... I also would like less cars on the road... less insurance rates... less cyclists injured... less car accidents, etc, etc. All these are benefits of cycle lanes.

Cyclists routinely hold themselves above the law out of an assumption that their mode of transportation is superior for health, cost, and impact on the environment. Cyclists often eschew safety gear, signaling turns, lighting, licensing (where required), and insurance for injuries and property damage. They want all the rights of motor vehicles on the road without all the responsibilities.

Cyclists can/do injure and kill pedestrians:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/pedestrian-80-killed-in-collision-with-cyclist/article1315137/

And car drivers kill pedestrians too... so what? Ban cycling because a pedestrian was killed by a careless cyclist?

Drivers also often eschew safety gear like seatbelts... drive drunk... don't get insurance... again, so what?

The_Squid · July 21, 2014

Some of the problem is the fact that for half a year (or more) they can/may stay empty.

Add on top of that liability for not plowing lanes (be it separate or not) should the masses use these in winter.

Yes, they will be used less in winter... Roads are used less by cars in winter as well. Some roads don't get plowed and are dangerous for motorists. Is this a liability issue? No. Sidewalks are rarely plowed... and sometimes are even covered by road plows. Should we not have sidewalks then?

Copenhagen is a northern city with lots of cycling.

Edited July 21, 2014 by The_Squid

Mighty AC · July 21, 2014

Cyclists often eschew safety gear, signaling turns, lighting, licensing (where required), and insurance for injuries and property damage. They want all the rights of motor vehicles on the road without all the responsibilities.

Seems to me that motorists often eschew seat belts, ignore speed limits, use cell phones, drive impaired, etc. Maybe people in general avoid inconvenient best practices, unless forced to follow them.

bush_cheney2004 · July 21, 2014

....And car drivers kill pedestrians too... so what? Ban cycling because a pedestrian was killed by a careless cyclist?

Drivers also often eschew safety gear like seatbelts... drive drunk... don't get insurance... again, so what?

So what ? Car safety and insurance requirements are legislated and enforced. Nobody said anything about banning cycling...nice try.

The_Squid · July 21, 2014

Cycle lanes are an outstanding idea and there is even a cheap and easy way to improve safety at intersections without needing additional space. Check out this 2 min video:

That makes a huge amount of sense!

bush_cheney2004 · July 21, 2014

One of the most common mistakes I see/hear cyclists make it to shout "On your left" to pedestrians, assuming the pedestrian knows what the hell it means or what the cyclist is talking about and about to do (pass them). Many seniors have no clue what it means or what to do. Saving the planet by mowing down one senior citizen at a time.

The_Squid · July 21, 2014

So what ? Car safety and insurance requirements are legislated and enforced. Nobody said anything about banning cycling...nice try.

Then you are merely ranting that cyclists are bad because they don't need liability insurance? Why didn't you just say so? You certainly have a complaint, but your point is lost in your general griping with no offered solutions.

Despite not having insurance, a cyclist is still financially responsible for any damage they cause. You are bringing up a red herring. The reason that most jurisdictions don't have mandatory cyclist insurance is due to the minuscule amount of damage that cyclists actually cause.

Hal 9000 · July 21, 2014

Cyclists are the most inconsiderate people on the road. I think that's why most people hate them. If I had a dollar for every time I saw one do something dangerous only to turn around and finger the driver (or pedestrian)...well, I'd be a lot richer.

Edited July 21, 2014 by Hal 9000

The_Squid · July 21, 2014

One of the most common mistakes I see/hear cyclists make it to shout "On your left" to pedestrians, assuming the pedestrian knows what the hell it means or what the cyclist is talking about and about to do (pass them). Many seniors have no clue what it means or what to do. Saving the planet by mowing down one senior citizen at a time.

Another excellent reason for separated bike lanes. Thank you.

And bad motorists honk at seniors even if the senior has the right of way. Bad bad motorists!! (so what?)

The_Squid · July 21, 2014

Cyclists are the most inconsiderate people on the road. I think that's why most people hate them. If I had a dollar for every time I saw one do something dangerous only to turn around and finger the driver (or pedestrian)...well, I'd be a lot richer.

Another excellent reason to invest in the infrastructure to separate motorists and cyclists, don't you think?

Black Dog · July 21, 2014

Cyclists routinely hold themselves above the law out of an assumption that their mode of transportation is superior for health, cost, and impact on the environment.

Cite needed.

Cyclists often eschew safety gear, signaling turns, lighting, licensing (where required), and insurance for injuries and property damage. They want all the rights of motor vehicles on the road without all the responsibilities.

Actually that's how the law treats cyclists.

Cyclists can/do injure and kill pedestrians:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/pedestrian-80-killed-in-collision-with-cyclist/article1315137/

Notable only for the fact that it is astonishingly rare, especially compared to car-cyclist and car-pedestrian collisions that result in death or injury.

Black Dog · July 21, 2014

Cyclists are the most inconsiderate people on the road. I think that's why most people hate them. If I had a dollar for every time I saw one do something dangerous only to turn around and finger the driver (or pedestrian)...well, I'd be a lot richer.

Drivers are as bad or worse and certainly more dangerous to others.

In the past few weeks alone, I've seen a driver speed into the oncoming lane just to get around a long line of traffic. Another driver desperately wanted to turn right on a red, so he drove up on the sidewalk to make the turn. I can't even count the number of red lights I've seen cars run, let alone how many cars will speed through to beat a yellow light. Cars driving past open streetcar doors. Cars turning into intersections where pedestrians were attempting to cross. Cars parked in bike lanes. And so on and so forth.

From personal experience and observation, when cyclists flout the rules, it is often a reaction to an unsafe and hostile road environment or street designs not built to account for cycling. When drivers do it, it's because they're assholes.

Edited July 21, 2014 by Black Dog

The_Squid · July 21, 2014

Cyclists are not going away.... it makes more sense to invest in cycling infrastructure to better separate cyclists/motorists/pedestrians than to gripe about each other. Especially given the return on the investment!

If people had to walk in the road with cars, there would be more griping back and forth as well. Sidewalks were invented. Same principle as separated bike lanes!

If you hate cyclists and think they cause mayhem, shouldn't you be on-side with bike lanes, paths, and cycling infrastructure if only to get them out of your way?

bush_cheney2004 · July 21, 2014

Cyclists are the most inconsiderate people on the road. I think that's why most people hate them. If I had a dollar for every time I saw one do something dangerous only to turn around and finger the driver (or pedestrian)...well, I'd be a lot richer.

Roger that....Some (not all) of these cyclists think they are a blessed transportation class and other motorists/pedestrians should worship their "religion" and spend billions to go "Dutch".

Mighty AC · July 21, 2014

Saving the planet by mowing down one senior citizen at a time.

You're right! I bet mowing down the blue haired crowd is the most cost effective and efficient way to reduce our environmental impact. Hell, it would almost instantly solve most of our regressive social ethical issues as well. All this time I've been pushing for low cost home efficiency retrofit loans payable through the municipal property tax system and then you come along with the trump card. Genius!

bush_cheney2004 · July 21, 2014

...If you hate cyclists and think they cause mayhem, shouldn't you be on-side with bike lanes, paths, and cycling infrastructure if only to get them out of your way?

Sure..and just how do the cyclists specifically pay for the costs of such infrastructure changes.....a Spandex tax ?

Black Dog · July 21, 2014

Sure..and just how do the cyclists specifically pay for the costs of such infrastructure changes.....a Spandex tax ?

Same way they subsidize the roads drivers depend on.

Hal 9000 · July 21, 2014

Drivers are as bad or worse and certainly more dangerous to others.

I don't wanna run over a cyclist. I don't wanna have that on my conscience, so it bothers me that they swerve in and out cut across traffic and do every inappropriate manoeuvre possible. It's mainly bike couriers I suppose, but all of them at some point have to interact with vehicle traffic and they seem to put all the safety concerns on us. 2 cars having a fender bender or side swipe in downtown Vancouver, TO or wherever is usually not too serious, but make it a cyclist and it can become life threatening.

I ride a motorbike and it's amazing just how many vehicles don't see me (loud pipes and all). Cycles are smaller and have no sound, not to mention "doorings"....hey, I worry.

bush_cheney2004 · July 21, 2014

And bad motorists honk at seniors even if the senior has the right of way. Bad bad motorists!! (so what?)

The seniors know what a honking horn means....but these self centered cyclists think everybody surely must know what it means to shout "On you left" and why it gives the cyclist the right to pass quickly with no concern for having to stop quickly to avoid injuring or killing somebody. The selfish cyclist is basically telling the pedestrian/other cyclists to "GET OUT OF MY WAY" so he/she does not have to slow down and pass safely.