[SDCBC] Fwd: Passing side, suicide

[Serge Issakov]

Good point except I would not expect a linear relationship between bike/car
modal percentage share and percentage of total traffic death that are
cyclists.
That is, the more bicyclists there are the fewer motorists there are and the
slower/safer and more alert I would expect traffic to be.
Especially in Amsterdam where most drivers are also cyclists and thus
presumably significantly less likely to overlook and hit a cyclist than is
the average overweight Bud guzzling distracted American SUV driver.

Perhaps the increase in safety that results from higher bike modal share is
wiped out by the decrease in safety that I believe stems from the segregated
facilities, such as the physically segregated bike lane depicted in the
photo in the article.

Serge

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 12:29 PM, John Eldon <j.eldon at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> So much for the much-touted "cyclists' paradise."
>
> To be fair to Amsterdam, I'll bet cycling represents more than 10 times as
> large a percentage of their vehicle miles traveled, which would make their
> 20% and our 2% figures comparable. However, I do concur with you regarding
> the obvious flaws in their roadway accommodations and the blatant violations
> of sound traffic engineering practice. This should be required reading,
> particularly in Portland OR.
>
> John E.
>
>
> *Serge Issakov <serge at issakov.org>* wrote:
>
> Wow.  20% of all traffic deaths per year in Amsterdam (population 700k)
> are cyclists killed by right hooks.
> In contrast, the total number of U.S. cyclist deaths per year (about 800)
> accounts for about 2% of total traffic deaths (about 40k).
> I'm guessing the ratio in San Diego (population 1.3M)  is closer to 2%
> than 20% as well.  Anyone know?
>
> The picture <http://www.nieuwsuitamsterdam.nl/afbeeldingen/dode_hoek.JPG>in the
> article <http://www.nieuwsuitamsterdam.nl/English/2008/04/blind_spot.htm>linked in the attached message below is a must-see.   What a death trap.
>
> Serge
>
>
>


-- 
NOTE: Any opinions expressed above are mine and not necessarily shared by
any organization in which I am involved.
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