C y c l e * D a l l a s

Limited Time Offer!

2009-07-15T21:01:00.008-05:00

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This product is not recommended for those who must limit their intake of irony.

How can cyclists change motorist behavior?

2009-07-15T19:28:00.007-05:00

A good question, and some good thoughts on the subject, for those with ears to hear.

There's at least one answer that most of us agree upon. That is, lawful cyclists generally are treated better than unlawful cyclists. But that's purely individual.

Beyond that, what kind of behavior is our candidate for change? I suggest that there are two distinct kinds: traffic errors that lead to car-bike collisions; behavior that expresses anti-cyclist views, ranging from political to merely noisy to assault.

I assert that motorist traffic errors that lead to car-bike collisions are not volitional; the motorist would much prefer that no collision takes place than that one does. (The volitional type in which a motorist chooses hitting a cyclist to avoid the greater danger of being hit by a more dangerous vehicle must be very rare indeed.) So far as I know, there has been no study to compare car-bike collision types against car-car collision types to determine differences in individual rates and probable causes. But the idea exists that much of the difference, if any, is in the smaller optical image of the cyclist in the motorist's eye and in the less significant perception in the motorist's mind.

Bright clothing and confident positioning have long been advocated, although there is no statistical evidence as to their effectiveness. There is also no empiric evidence that the less significant degree of perception in the motorist's mind is associated with anti-cyclist views; there may be a correlation, there may not be. So, for the moment at least, there's no point in trying to discuss how to change motorist traffic errors that lead to car-bike collisions, beyond applying normal traffic engineering procedures.

I suggest that what is desired by those asking the question is a method of changing the anti-cyclist views held, in various strengths, by such a large portion of the public. There is no doubt that the majority of the public hold that assault of a cyclist is as discreditable and as punishable as any other kind of assault. Punishment of this extreme end of the behavior distribution ought to keep this under control, although the frequency is likely to vary along with the general strength of the
anti-cyclist views among the population. For example, I see no chance that hatred of cyclists would become so advanced as to excuse assaults against cyclists. However, the anti-cyclist view in all its lesser expressions is so widespread in the population, is so deeply rooted, and is so supported by both society and by government, that, in my opinion, it will be changed only by a thorough revolution in the social views of both motoring and cycling. The anti-cyclist view is so deeply rooted in our society that what is done in the name of cyclists is merely more expression of the anti-cyclist view that cyclists are neither as legitimate nor as competent as motorists.

Do sharrows change motorists' attitude and actions? Or just their actions where sharrows exist, without changing the underlying attitude? We don't know either.

I repeat: in my opinion, the anti-cyclist view in all its lesser expressions is so widespread in the population, is so deeply rooted, and is so supported by both society and by government, that, in my opinion, it will be changed only by a thorough revolution in the social views of both motoring and cycling. The ability of cyclists to change that attitude, so widespread in the population, is substantially nil. We have fought the motorist oppression of bikeways and have consistently lost; what then can we expect about the public attitudes that produce bikeways?

My advice is to put up with the public's anti-cyclist attitudes, knowing that they are no more than silly superstitions. I've lived with them for more than sixty years, and they worry me only as they are implemented by anti-cyclist facilities and laws, especially the laws. Getting rid of the anti-cyclist traffic laws is the most important task we have before us. Motorists can honk and jeer as much as they like, just so long as we cannot be prosecuted for cycling lawfully and competently.

For those of you who want to significantly increase the amount of bicycle transportation being done, you have to face the paradox. It is the anti-cyclist program that is supposed, in some quarters, to produce this increase of bicycle transportation. Which do you want, less powerful anti-cycling attitudes or more bicycle transportation? That is, if the supposed correlation actually exists, for which there is no evidence.

--
John Forester, MS, PE
Bicycle Transportation Engineer
7585 Church St. Lemon Grove CA 91945-2306
619-644-5481 forester@johnforester.com
www.johnforester.com

Team C.R.I.N.G.E. takes the Yellow Jersey!

2009-07-15T18:57:00.002-05:00

Is this what bike-lane advocates think you need?

2009-07-15T05:45:00.002-05:00

The level of reliance on external assistance is comparable.

Look at this, and read the comments. These comments are all too typical of fear-governed "cyclists" who really just want to play in the streets.

Where now?

2009-07-14T19:21:00.007-05:00

A little trickier this time. This is a two-lane local street that's 40' wide, back-to-back, with no parking allowed. Oh, and just over the rise? It narrows to 14' (the whole road, not just the lane) for about 100', and then widens to 20' for another 75', before ending at a T intersection.

Eureka!

2009-07-14T17:13:00.005-05:00

"First, we put in some swing sets. Nothing. Then we added a pool. Still nothing. But when we put in a bike lane down our driveway... !!!"

Some people believe stories like this.

The Art (?) of the Bicycle

2009-07-14T09:06:00.008-05:00

June 20th – Aug. 1st

The Art of the Bicycle

ArtCentre of Plano presents a group show featuring the works of three Texas artists, all inspired by an everyday object. Photographer Kelly Berry was inspired by commuters and other folks on bicycles in Europe. Painter Todd Gutmann seeks to depict the mood of bicycle races and Janet Karam is known for her abstract bicycle series. The show will be on view through Aug. 1.

ArtCentre of Plano
1039 E. 15th St.
Plano, TX 75074
(972) 423-7809

I'll withhold judgment for the time being, but I pass this along as a public service.

Can you find Art in this picture?

The Joy of Inferiority.

2009-07-14T05:45:00.004-05:00

Even fear of the boogie man in the closet can be comforting.

Read about it here at the North Texas Vehicular Cyclist.

Suspended reality: Monday morning edition.

2009-07-13T06:41:00.006-05:00

An argument in favor of mandatory helmet laws...

2009-07-11T07:18:00.002-05:00

...for everyone in Australia.

Unless you are an Aussie Hoon, don't try this at home.

Friday bike-lane special.

2009-07-10T06:46:00.008-05:00

Apartheid for bicyclists in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sadly, as we have seen from other cities, this is not uncommon, and advocates for segregationist bicycle facilities like being treated this way (or rather, they like treating cyclists this way, as many of those who push for such facilities really just want bicyclists out of the way of cars).

I can't tell if this is supposed to be 3' wide, or 4' wide bike lane (gutter pans are usually either 12" or 18" wide). Giving them the benefit of the doubt (because that's the kind of guy I am), let's presume it's 4' wide. The usable width, from the gutter pan seam to the bike lane stripe, is only two feet. Veer to the right, and you run the risk of falling because of the pavement irregularity. Veer to the left, and you've suddenly swerved into the path of overtaking motorists (a potential SWSS).

This bicycle-handicap facility is typical of the AASHTO non-compliant designs (the bike lane should be a MINIMUM of 4' out from the gutter pan) that transportation engineers are being forced into approving under political pressure. You can see these in Austin, Phoenix, Houston (?), Ft. Worth, and probably soon in Dallas.

This is what happens when logic surrenders to nothing more than feelings.

LATE NOTE: I had this image for several weeks before I posted it. Apparently, it was an error by the Phoenix DOT, and the road was supposed to have been signed as a "bike route", and not as a bike lane. Last Friday, the signage was changed (undoubtedly due to Phoenix's being held up for scrutiny here on Cycle*Dallas). Now if only other cities with similar "facilities" would follow suit.

Where am I gonna ride now?

2009-07-09T20:18:00.002-05:00

Where am I gonna ride?

2009-07-08T19:24:00.000-05:00

On a typical two-lane road (like this naked residential street), where do you place yourself?(polls)

The Weather Channel 4

2009-07-08T19:02:00.001-05:00

A.K.A. Davis, CA

The Weather Channel 3

2009-07-08T19:01:00.002-05:00

The Weather Channel 2

2009-07-08T18:56:00.005-05:00

Ft. Worth, TX

Boulder, Colorado

Seattle, WA

Houston, TX

The Weather Channel

2009-07-08T18:35:00.008-05:00

106˚ on the ride home today... and then all hail broke loose. God, I love Texas.

Reflections About Helmets

2009-07-08T11:21:00.013-05:00

I do not always use a helmet. I do not always ride without one.

If I thought riding a bicycle were a dangerous activity, I would be more concerned about using one all the time.

Statistically, I crash on my bicycle around every 1,500 miles of riding. I am overdue for the seventh crash since I returned to cycling in 2006. On one of them I hit a bollard on a MUP. The other five happened when it was raining. I was wearing a helmet for all of them.

I always wear a helmet if I am going to ride in the rain. I seem to be unable to slow down properly for turns in wet weather. (Sigh.) So the primary reason I wear a helmet in the rain is because I tend to crash in the rain. But there is a second reason I use a helmet in the rain. I do it to improve my visibility.

To me, the primary utility of a bicycle helmet is that it serves as a platform to attach reflective tape. I have covered the entire surface of my helmets with reflective tape. The more area reflecting light back to it's source, the brighter it is percieved.

So I also wear a helmet whenever I am planning to be riding at night.

When I got my latest helmet, among Bell's claims was that it had reflective accents on it. Here is a picture of all the reflective parts that the manufacturer put on the helmet, looking directly down onto the top of it.

That small white triangle is the reflective accent. It may be useful for police helicopters to spot you at night, but it is otherwise non-functional. When the helmet is worn in a normal cycling posture, a head-lamp's light would not fall on that part of the helmet! Here is how they ought to reflectorize them.

I always have a front and rear light on my bicycles, because I am frequently out at night, and I have a substantial amount of reflector tape facing to the front and back on my seat-stays, forks fenders and the like. Side reflectors are useless when traveling, because by the time a head-lamp's light falls on them it is too late to avoid a collision.

Another advantage of a reflectorized helmet besides area is that it is the highest part of the cyclist, and it will catch light sooner on hilly roads. Here is a view of my helmets from the rear at approximately the angle seen from sitting in an automobile.

The newer and less banged up helmet on the right is still a work in progress.

New, exclusive bikes from Mercedes-Benz

2009-07-08T06:13:00.000-05:00

Maybe this will help folks in North Dallas, the Park Cities, and Collin County become bike commuters.

Mercedes-Benz Bike Sports Selection 2009/2010: New, exclusive bikes from Mercedes-Benz

Stuttgart - Mercedes-Benz has presented a new collection of exclusive bikes with an outstanding level of technical features. In addition to the Mountainbike and the racing bike, which are limited editions to a particularly high technical standard, the Foldingbike impresses with its unique fold-down technology. Mercedes-Benz has also carefully updated its tried-and-tested bike models, with several detailed improvements. This means that for its bike collection, Mercedes-Benz offers the same outstanding level of quality as for its premium automobiles.

The Foldingbike is a real gem in technical terms. It features a patented folding mechanism that impresses by being particularly easy to operate. Folding and unfolding the bike takes only a few seconds, and no tools are required.

The cleverly designed mechanical system allows two different folded positions:

* In the Shuttle position the frame is folded together, but the bike can still be pushed and steered - ideal for easy carriage using public transport.

* When completely folded down, the Mercedes-Benz Foldingbike requires very little space indeed. In this position it only measures 80x80x35 cm, enabling it to be stowed in the high-quality carrying bag which is also supplied. Accordingly the bike can be easily accommodated in the car boot, camper van, office or yacht as a constant companion.

The folding frame of aluminium has a suspension travel of 40 mm at both front and rear, and this is adjustable for individual riding comfort. A Shimano 8-speed derailleur gear makes for relaxed cycling, while disc brakes ensure a high level of safety. A side stand, protective metal cover and a variable luggage rack make this extraordinary bike outstanding for day-to-day use. The new Mercedes-Benz Foldingbike is available in silver or white, and costs 1699 Euro.

Let's talk helmets.

2009-07-07T21:33:00.008-05:00

Here's my preferred helmet for downtown and neighborhood riding. Notice the excellent ventilation. It's made of resin-impregnated organic fiber strands, it's stiff, and the 2-ply woven fabric gives it good crush/impact absorption. It stays on my head, has an integral sweat pad (removable for cleaning), and is very cool in 100˚F temperatures. It even has an ANSI sticker in it.

I would love to see a cycling-specific helmet manufactured from the same material.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

2009-07-06T17:50:00.004-05:00

Someone said elsewhere...

You might want to talk to PM Summer. He's actually done that kind of counting with the trails in Dallas. He's done a lot of the work of balancing cost, realistic assessments and air quality consequences (road diets). He has interesting thoughts on what supports and kills mode share.

And he's a really nice guy, a great big teddy bear. 100% genuine in his concern for the well-being of cyclists.

There goes my reputation. Sic bike-transit gloria.

;-)

A declaration of independence.

2009-07-04T07:03:00.004-05:00

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. Click here.

Patriots, Tories, and Common Sense.

2009-07-04T05:49:00.003-05:00

T.R. Fehrenbach, in his excellent history of the land and peoples of Texas "Lone Star", makes a strong case for the Scots-Irish contribution to American history.

From the time of Jamestown and Plymouth Rock, English settlers in the American Colonies had been mostly just that: English. The Colonies didn't push too far in from the coast, not wanting to get too removed from the lifeline to England that the coastal ports afforded. But in the early 18th century, the "Black" Scots-Irish immigration began. Unlike the later waves of Catholic immigrants from Ireland, these were of Presbyterian bent, many of which were a restless breed from the border area between Scotland and England. Shortly after their arrival in the Colonies, the Westward Expansion began. These were the first American Pioneers (as opposed to Settlers). But first there was the matter of the British to deal with, and their restrictions.

While the leadership of the Rebels were for the most part themselves patricians, the men who took the fight to the Red Coats in the Southern and Central Colonies were more often of this Scots-Irish cast. Fiercely independent, they chaffed at elements of British Rule that seem trivial to us today, partly because they knew what being under the thumb of a "ruling class" was like. They wanted no more of the oppression they had suffered for centuries, confined to fuedal lands, and were quick to respond against even the hint of it. These were the men (and women) who became known as the Patriots.

But the American Revolution was as much a civil war as it was a war to win Independence from from Britain. It wasn't simply Colonists against the British Army. It was Colonists against other Colonists. Some of the Colonists had no wish for independence from England. They didn't chafe at restrictions, at being second class subjects of The Crown. They wanted the comfort of the narrow coastal lands, and the presumed presence of the British Red Coats to protect them, even though that meant having to hug the coastal areas. They had no desire to push westward, into the mountains to the prairies beyond. They preferred the comfortable illusion of safety over the fearful prospect of freedom. These were the Tories.

On this Independence Day, I encourage you to do the patriotic thing. Embrace freedom. Don't listen to the Tories and their tales of fear. Resist their attempts at confinement and restriction. Rebel against the power of fear, and the false freedom of low expectation. Break out into the lane... and only look back to establish your rightful place as a free man or woman in your full lane.

Be a Patriot, not a Tory. Reject inferiority. Become a vehicular cyclist.

It's what Common Sense dictates. Happy 4th of July, y'all!

Share-o-smiley.

2009-07-02T06:46:00.006-05:00

Feel better now?

Just imagine...

2009-07-02T05:30:00.002-05:00

The North Texas Vehicular Cyclist has an informative reflection up today.