Originally Posted by
B. Carfree
I'm glad you hold the same position that I have held for many decades. (At least, I think you do.) To restate it, in the best of worlds we would enforce our traffic laws, particularly those that impact so-called vulnerable users. In addition, we should also add well-designed user-specific infrastructure (freeways, bike paths, bike lanes (no door zones here), sidewalks, etc)
Now, since we aren't likely to have unlimited funds at our disposal, which do you think is the more effective use of resources:
1. Build dedicated bike infrastructure much like what you have seen
2. Add enough traffic cops and increase the fines enough to make a dent in the scofflaw behavior on our roadways.
Definitely the latter. Without uniform agreement on how to use bike lanes they're just plain dangerous to someone who rides like me (speeds upward of 10 mph). I can't imagine what it must be like for someone else who is not a good bike pilot. Must be nerve -wracking handling the obstructions, pedestrians and cars hazards.
NYC was, and is still a pretty lawless place. Folks here get away with murder all the time. As someone from the West Coast (by the way I loved Oregon as a college student) the frequency of irritation on a daily basis is large. If you don't pay attention ALL the time in Manhattan - something will happen to you. Personally, I don't see any big change coming here with regards to bike safety, or a change in NYC mindset. So, the bike paths with the exception of heavily policed corridors will be a expensive, and less-than-effective method of transportation of city dwellers.