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I-Like-To-Bike
07-05-07, 05:27 PM
These were officials from Odense presenting a paper at a VeloCity Conference. And these officials were proud of that photo as showing the kind of results that they desired.
Date and location of this presentation?Any documentation of this misplaced official pride or are you only able to provide your own biased spin on an (overheard?) sidebar conversation from two or three decades ago?:rolleyes:
You from Denmark are the first to try to answer my long-standing question. Your answer appears to consider rural roads with few intersections, while my question concerned cities with bikeway systems.
On the kind of road that you describe, one just rides along and has to do little except keeping a straight line relative to the road. I have cycled on such roads for sixty years.
I wasn't saying it couldn't be done. I was giving an example of it being less stressful. I quite often ride similar roads that barely even have a shoulder and I have to pay more attention on them.
I used the rural road (into the city), because in my mind, that is where bike paths work the best. From a personal standpoint, riding on the road in the city doesn't bother me. But most people here prefer the city paths.
However, your answer is inaccurate regarding urban systems: "Yes, I realize that you are going to comment on the inherent problems this causes, but the fact is that people here prefer the side path because it minimizes car-bike interaction." In urban areas with many cross streets and driveways, side paths fail to minimize the number of car-bike interactions while making those that exist much more difficult and dangerous.
I disagree that the number isn't minimized (there are few driveways, mostly empty, and not so busy side streets), but quibbling over the number isn't really useful. I guess by 'car-bike interaction', I'm referring to some vague idea the 'potential of getting creamed'. Most driveway/side street interactions have the car traveling at low-speed (save 'right hooks'), which makes it easier for the cyclist to avoid any unexpected dangers. As to right-hooks, arguably the most dangerous interaction, they just don't seem to happen here, probably because the awareness of bikes is so high.
This is not an analysis of actual safety, but a subjective impression I get of how the Danes feel about it.
It is odd to see the Danes at ease at intersections. They pass on the right all the time (ie, into a right hook), and hardly look twice when a car pulls up on a side street. Now, clearly they are increasing their risk by paying less attention, but the fact that they can pay less attention says something about their comfort level.