Live far or near cycling infrastructure?

[shootingstar]

I'm surrounded by it, and it takes me anywhere I want to go. It's called roads. Why spend money on duplicate (or separated) infrastructure when it already exists? Sure, separated facilties help some people get started, but if drivers make the roads unsafe for other users, surely it is the issue of driving unsafely that needs to be addressed. With education and advice for cyclists about alternative routes where major roads are impractical. Just a thought.

I actually think it's worse now with regarding our "trust" or expectations/hope that drivers would drive more safely.

*Now with the added distraction of drivers using their cellphone or texting while driving or at least distracted, a factor that never existed even 20 yrs. ago., no I don't trust the situation.

*Our population is also aging and probably enough of them, still insisting on driving when they are in their 80's, when really they shouldn't be on the highways or on busy roads. (Would that include some /many of us one day?? )

*Our laws have not changed to severely penalize drivers who injure or kill cyclists if they are at fault.

The argument about not having some separate routes for bikes is not bad, except it's gotten us nowhere in encouraging lots of people to bike, when we never had any bike paths or bike lanes 30 yrs. ago. Except the difference was maybe the roads weren't as busy in certain urban areas compared to now??

Painting a wide enough bike lane and modifying traffic light times on a wide, 4 multiple lane road that is only heavily used for 5 hours out of 24 hrs. each day, really isn't a big deal in some areas of a city. Most cities have some roads like this. It's cheaper to start with this. The reality is that if you had a teenager cycling, where would you like the person to "graduate" to heavier traffic roads in terms of cycling.

Driver education not to speed? I dunno. How many of us go over the speed limit...honest? Well, are traffic calming circles particularily in some residential areas, useful if the road is wide enough? Certainly useful for big hills stopping in residential intersections, in terms of cars and bikes shooting down.

[oz rider]

Absolutely agree with a lot of that shootingstar; I just think we are nibbling at a problem that requires big bites, nursing the victims rather than fixing the problem. And there does not seem to be a silver bullet - it will take political will and a multi-pronged approach using the best of behavioural research beyond simple enforcement. Most people won't be simply encouraged to ride; it will happen for most when it becomes the easiest/cheapest option; the path of least resistance if you like. And that needs things like congestion taxes, strict liability, end-of-trip facilities, sensible bike parking, safety etc. The gently gently route will be long and slow, and maybe that's all society can stomach.