On 6/25/2012 12:41 AM, SMS wrote:
On 6/22/2012 12:20 PM, Király wrote:
In rec.bicycles.misc Frank wrote:
Here's an excellent talk on the problems that bike lanes impose, and a
solution to those problems. I think it's well worth half an hour of
watching& listening, and worth sharing.

http://vimeo.com/43603867

THANK YOU Frank, for posting this. I agree 100% with the presentation.
I will be sharing this link with the local cycling advocacy organziation
in Vancouver, who in recent years has been undoing decades of proper
bicyling advocacy, by screaming for separated bike lanes. Trying to get
bikes off of the road is the last thing a cycling advocacy org should be
doing.

Actually you should look at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuBdf9jYj7o. A coherent network of
properly designed and interconnected bicycle path is what led to the
Netherlands becoming the leading bicycle-centric country. More cycling,
fewer fatal accidents.

The problem in the U.S. is that the cycle paths are often poorly
designed and there are large gaps in the system, so it's often safer to
avoid them entirely. Giving up on the optimal solution may be easier,
but it's not looking at the big picture, and it will make eventually
getting to a system like they have in Amsterdam much more difficult.

It should be pointed out that more and more large metro areas in the
U.S. are trying to move to the Amsterdam model. If you've been to New
York City you can see the progress being made. Still a long way to go,
but the key in getting people out of their cars and onto bicycles is the
Amsterdam model, at least if we want to move beyond getting just cycling
enthusiasts out of their cars.

Even here in Silicon Valley, which is much less dense than Manhattan,
there's been a vast increase in the past few years of the cycling
infrastructure, including many commute routes where many of the most
difficult crossings of surface streets have been eliminated. Still some
gaps, but they're being closed, albeit slowly. Good routes to major
employers are key, and getting to Google, Apple, Intel, Oracle by
bicycle, or at least a combination of train and bicycle, is much less
stressful than in the past thanks to continuing improvements.