[SDCBC] What where they thinking?

[Eric Converse]

True, but "actual safety" and real safety can and do line up.  No amount of "education" will convince frightened riders to give the freeway a try, but a new separated bike path will attract even the most novice of riders.  I believe the litmus test should be, whether or not a parent would consider letting their child ride on it (bike path, lane, whatever).  Separated facilities offer this and provide a large draw for "average" people to use the facility.  It's the difference between Rose Canyon bike path and Miramar bike lane.

Eric

----- Original Message ----
From: "JonIsaacs at aol.com" <JonIsaacs at aol.com>
To: econver at yahoo.com; sdcbc at bikesandiego.org
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:32:15 PM
Subject: Re: [SDCBC] What where they thinking?

In a message dated 3/27/2008 3:44:31 PM Pacific Daylight Time, econver at yahoo.com writes:

More thoughts:

I agree that we should base safety programs for facilities on sound science and analysis, but that will not ensure those facilities will get used (if there is a perception of danger).

I'd suggest that policy be dictated both by safety and perceived safety.  If it takes separated bike paths for people to start riding their bikes then that should be the direction organizations like SDCBC take.

I believe "actual safety" is irrelevant if the public perception doesn't match up.  Take the freeway as a perfect example (most people think I'm crazy if I rode a bike on the freeway).

Eric

----------------------

I have to disagree.  Our goal should be education and actual safety.  "Perceived Safety" is an education issue and can be addressed more effectively by education than by engineering.

The major difficulty with "Perceived safety" is that it is often at odds with "actual safety."  Proper signage can be help educate both motorists and cyclists alike so that their perception of what is safe is in accordance with what is actually safe.  

I think it is unsound to try to attract people to cycling by providing facilities that are inharently flawed and then expect to educate them that safe riding actually requires ignoring those same facilities.  Best to start by educating them as to safe practices and get them riding because they are knowledgeable as well as confident.

Jon Isaacs





**************
Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home.
      (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15&ncid=aolhom00030000000001)


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.bikesandiego.org/pipermail/sdcbc/attachments/20080327/73dbe11d/attachment.html