Tuesday, July 24, 2012

NYTimes.com: "Penalty for Rule-Breaking Bicyclists: A Remedial Class"



The eight wrongdoers sat inside a windowless basement classroom, serving a 
court-ordered penance for their transgressions. For the next 90 minutes, they 
would learn about the proper rules of the road, how to use hand signals and 
when to change lanes safely — even if most did not believe they had done 
anything wrong.

Read the entire article:     http://nyti.ms/NNLxlI

Saturday, July 21, 2012

NYT article: Cameras Are Cyclists’ "Black Boxes" in Accidents


WASHINGTON — When Evan Wilder went flying onto the pavement during his 
bicycle commute one morning here, he didn't have time to notice the license 
plate of the pickup truck that had sideswiped him after its driver hurled a 
curse at him. Nor did a witness driving another car.

But the video camera Mr. Wilder had strapped to his head caught the whole 
episode. After watching a recording of the incident later, Mr. Wilder gave the 
license plate number to the police and a suspect was eventually charged with 
leaving the scene of an accident.

Read the entire article:      http://nyti.ms/SLmyzU




Wednesday, July 18, 2012

"Commuters Pedal to Work on Their Very Own Superhighway" (NYTimes.com)


More reveries from the melancholic/happy Danes!  Published yesterday:

COPENHAGEN JOURNAL

Picture 11 miles of smoothly paved bike path meandering through the
countryside. Largely uninterrupted by roads or intersections, it passes 
fields, backyards, chirping birds, a lake, some ducks and, at every mile,
an air pump.

For some Danes, this is the morning commute. An 11-mile-long path called
a bicycle superhighway has opened between Copenhagen and Albertslund,
a western suburb.

Read the entire story (and watch the 4-minute video): http://nyti.ms/MGLTWx


London, England: The "Cities Fit for Cycling" manifesto


The Times (note: daily newspaper in London UK) is committed to achieving
its eight-point manifesto calling for cities to be made fit for cyclists.

1. Trucks entering a city centre should be required by law to fit
sensors, audible turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars
to stop cyclists being thrown under the wheels.

2. The 500 most dangerous road junctions must be identified, redesigned
or fitted with priority traffic lights for cyclists and Trixi mirrors
that allow (truck) drivers to see cyclists on their near-side.

3. A national audit of cycling to find out how many people cycle in
Britain and how cyclists are killed or injured should be held to
underpin effective cycle safety.

4. Two per cent of the Highways Agency budget should be earmarked for
next generation cycle routes, providing £100 million a year towards
world-class cycling infrastructure. Each year cities should be
graded on the quality of cycling provision. [note: the "2% earmark" seems
akin to our local "Complete Streets" policy].

5. The training of cyclists and drivers must improve and cycle safety
should become a core part of the driving test.

6. 20 mph should become the default speed limit in residential areas
where there are no cycle lanes.

7. Businesses should be invited to sponsor cycleways and cycling super-
highways, mirroring the Barclays-backed bicycle hire scheme in London.

8. Every city, even those without an elected mayor, should appoint a
cycling commissioner to push home reforms.

Read more on this topic:   http://www.google.com/search?q=fit+for+cycling+manifesto