• Home
  • Biking Elsewhere

Google

AAA study finds 'widespread indifference' to unsafe driving habits

By Rose-Ann Aragon, Pat LaFleur, WCPO

Ninety percent of American drivers admit to risky driving practices, such as drowsy or drugged driving, running red lights, or texting while driving, according to new data released by AAA Thursday.

Ninety. Percent.

And it’s not just that they admit it, AAA said. It’s also that they don’t really care.
...

http://www.wcpo.com/traffic/aaa-study-finds-widespread-indifference-to-unsafe-driving
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

NASCAR drivers pedal from St. Augustine for bike safety

By Allison Shirk, News Journal Online

...
Among the nearly 40 riders were NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson and Trevor Bayne, and IndyCar drivers Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti. The pack of cyclists took about four hours to pedal from St. Augustine, down State Road A1A and to the Speedway.

Johnson said he's outside as much as possible and rides his bike three or four times a week.

"I think the message is just awareness," Johnson said after the ride. "People on these bikes are moms, dads, children, and sometimes motorists let their frustrations get the best of them and don't realize they're putting somebody in harm's way."
...

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20160217/NEWS/160219519?Title=NASCAR-drivers-pedal-from-St-Augustine-for-bike-safety&tc=ar
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Traffic engineers still rely on a flawed 1970s study to reject crosswalks

by Angie Schmitt, Greater Greater Washington

"the phrase "false sense of security" is actually a cornerstone of American engineering guidance on pedestrian safety."

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/29768/traffic-engineers-still-rely-on-a-flawed-1970s-study-to-reject-crosswalks/
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

The 6 biggest roadblocks to building complete streets in our communities

BY CHRIS & MELISSA BRUNTLETT, VancityBuzz

[B' Spokes: Just the headlines.]

1. An unintended, but counterproductive focus on the commute to work
2. The belief that streets should act as thoroughfares, and not destinations
3. The perception gap around how customers actually arrive at a business [B' Spokes: You have to see the graphic.]
4. The conviction that bikes belong on side streets, and not on main streets
5. A tendency to frame the discussion around those people who already cycle
6. A failure to recognize the (rather lucrative) potential for tourism spending

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2016/02/roadblocks-complete-streets/
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Motorists want to be considered part of traffic...

Via Facebook Bicyclists Belong in the Traffic Lane

"Motorists want to be considered part of traffic, but don't want to obey speed limits, the destination positioning rule for right turns, other drivers' rights of way, or prohibitions on unsafe passing, tailgating, lane-splitting, distracted/impaired driving, or non-emergency use of their horns. Then they condemn cyclists as a group because some of them violate laws in far less consequential ways. That's a double hypocrisy."

-Eli Damon
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

3 Ways NYC Can Avoid Future Snow Removal Travesties for Peds and Cyclists

by Ben Fried, Streets Blog

[B' Spokes: Just the major headlines]

Make someone responsible for clearing paths at street corners.
Integrate bike lanes, especially protected bike lanes, into the city’s snow clearance street hierarchy.
Buy some snowblowers.

http://www.streetsblog.org/2016/01/29/3-ways-nyc-can-avoid-future-snow-removal-travesties-for-peds-and-cyclists/

[B' Spokes: Have you ever wrapped a present and noticed all the extra paper on the corners? The same goes for intersections where twice the amount of snow goes on the corners as street snow is "folded" onto the sidewalks. This should be a major item to address in a city.]
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Evidence That Split-Phase Signals Are Safer Than Mixing Zones for Bike Lanes

by David Meyer, Streets Blog

...
The data suggest that pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicle occupants all get a clear safety benefit from split-phase signals, however. Even if split-phase signals aren’t included in the first iteration of a project to ensure timely implementation, it should be standard practice to retrofit existing protected bike lanes with them over time. More injuries and deaths will be prevented, and more people will feel safe biking on city streets.

http://www.streetsblog.org/2016/01/25/evidence-that-split-phase-signals-are-safer-than-mixing-zones-for-bike-lanes/

[B' Spokes: I'll note when I lived in NYC the [protected] bike lanes with "mixing areas" were a PIA I would take the lane to avoid getting right hooked and boy did the taxi cabs and a few drivers really get upset. But with a separate phase for turning vehicles no issues what so ever.]
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Study: States wasting billions on highways

By Keith Laing, The Hill

"The study "details how despite America’s massive repair and maintenance backlog, and in defiance of America’s changing transportation needs, state governments continue to spend billions each year on new and wider highways," according to the group, which typically pushes for more transit investment."

http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/266278-study-states-wasting-24-billion-on-unnecessary-highway-projects
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

EVALUATING ACTIVE TRANSPORT BENEFITS & COSTS

-> "Evaluating Active Transport Benefits and Costs; Guide to Valuing Walking and Cycling Improvements and Encouragement Programs" (http://bit.ly/18TNjbm) describes methods for evaluating the benefits and costs of active transport. Benefits include improved personal health for users and decreased environmental impacts for society. The report also discusses ways to increase walking and cycling activity, and concludes that many active transport benefits tend to be overlooked or undervalued in conventional transport economic evaluation.

from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

The “Pedestrian Menace” and Vision Zero messaging

Via BrooklynSpoke

"Even Polly Trottenberg told pedestrians “we all have a role to play” in making our streets safer, a comment she had to walk back. None of these things are what Vision Zero is about. But when the message is that everyone is in it together, those who are inclined to discount the awesome responsibility that comes with operating a multi-ton vehicle might think it’s awfully unfair that pedestrians who cross against a signal or who walk into the street with their eyes buried in a smartphone — even with the legal right of way — aren’t doing their part. “Come on, buddy! Take out the earbuds and pay attention! Be part of the solution, not the problem!”"

http://brooklynspoke.com/2016/01/12/the-pedestrian-menace-and-vision-zero-messaging/
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)