Mary Cheh wants to make it legal for bicyclists for blow stop signs and stop lights

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's really amazing. I had no idea that drivers are the ones saving the environment here, and cyclists are the ones causing pollution. I learn so much from reading DCUM. Thanks! You all are so smart

It’s incontrovertible that congestion increases air pollution. If bicyclists are causing congestion then they are causing air pollution. Not sure why this is so hard to understand.

Right! Cars definitely don't cause congestion ever. Just see LA. You make so much sense and sight sounds like an idiot at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do the folks advocating for bike lanes lie so much? It’s incredible how little respect they have for others intelligence. It’s just non-stop bullsh*t and propaganda that doesn’t withstand minimal scrutiny.

I saw someone on here claim that Capital Bikeshare had high utilization. That’s false.

I am now seeing someone try to gaslight people that cyclists don’t run stop signs.

The only time DDOT ever bothered to collect data on bicyclist compliance with traffic laws, they found that most bicyclists don’t even respect RED LIGHTS and engage in dangerous behavior that risks injury to pedestrians and to themselves.

What changing the law will do for cyclists is to try to create enough legal grey area so that they can be absolved or even get compensated for injuring pedestrians or themselves.

Of the 768 cyclists arriving at an intersection on a red light, 508 stopped (although a fraction of the 508 continued again before the light turned green). Of those that stopped, 17 percent stopped behind the painted stop bar preceding the median and crosswalk. However, 76 percent stopped either in the median or in the crosswalk, with most of the remainder stopping in the intersection, placing them potentially in conflict with left-turning vehicles.

https://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/ddot_bike_evaluation_summary_final_report_part3.pdf

This is unreal. Actual data demonstrates what we all know to be true with our own eyes: 86 out of 768 cyclists or only 11% followed traffic laws at red lights.

You see a lot of cyclists talk about how we need Dutch cycling infrastructure. What they don’t talk about is that the Netherlands has very stringent traffic laws for bicycles that includes significant fines. And that makes sense. If you want public resources, it comes with public obligations.

What is even more interesting is that DDOT data in that study indicates some important things. First the cyclist survey says that the vast majority of cyclists “feel” unsafe from cars but they only found cyclists and not cars engaging in behavior that was unsafe around cars. Second and relatedly, that installing protected bikes lanes actually increased accidents. but they are choosing to hide it.

And this is why Vision Zero doesn’t work. Because everything that is being done is actually inducing accidents by bicyclists and ignoring the source of accidents: bicyclists themselves.

What’s crazy about all of this is that pedestrians are the most at risk group in the city. And the cyclists cynically use pedestrian deaths to promote infrastructure and laws that make the city even less safe for pedestrians.

Why can’t cyclists just be considerate and follow the law?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do the folks advocating for bike lanes lie so much? It’s incredible how little respect they have for others intelligence. It’s just non-stop bullsh*t and propaganda that doesn’t withstand minimal scrutiny.

I saw someone on here claim that Capital Bikeshare had high utilization. That’s false.

I am now seeing someone try to gaslight people that cyclists don’t run stop signs.

The only time DDOT ever bothered to collect data on bicyclist compliance with traffic laws, they found that most bicyclists don’t even respect RED LIGHTS and engage in dangerous behavior that risks injury to pedestrians and to themselves.

What changing the law will do for cyclists is to try to create enough legal grey area so that they can be absolved or even get compensated for injuring pedestrians or themselves.

Of the 768 cyclists arriving at an intersection on a red light, 508 stopped (although a fraction of the 508 continued again before the light turned green). Of those that stopped, 17 percent stopped behind the painted stop bar preceding the median and crosswalk. However, 76 percent stopped either in the median or in the crosswalk, with most of the remainder stopping in the intersection, placing them potentially in conflict with left-turning vehicles.

https://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/ddot_bike_evaluation_summary_final_report_part3.pdf

This is unreal. Actual data demonstrates what we all know to be true with our own eyes: 86 out of 768 cyclists or only 11% followed traffic laws at red lights.

You see a lot of cyclists talk about how we need Dutch cycling infrastructure. What they don’t talk about is that the Netherlands has very stringent traffic laws for bicycles that includes significant fines. And that makes sense. If you want public resources, it comes with public obligations.

What is even more interesting is that DDOT data in that study indicates some important things. First the cyclist survey says that the vast majority of cyclists “feel” unsafe from cars but they only found cyclists and not cars engaging in behavior that was unsafe around cars. Second and relatedly, that installing protected bikes lanes actually increased accidents. but they are choosing to hide it.

And this is why Vision Zero doesn’t work. Because everything that is being done is actually inducing accidents by bicyclists and ignoring the source of accidents: bicyclists themselves.

What’s crazy about all of this is that pedestrians are the most at risk group in the city. And the cyclists cynically use pedestrian deaths to promote infrastructure and laws that make the city even less safe for pedestrians.

Why can’t cyclists just be considerate and follow the law?

You are citing a study that was done to look at bicycle behavior as evidence that only cyclists break the law? They were only looking at cyclists and not drivers. The study also didn’t find that skydiving is risky so maybe that means that skydivers don’t need an extra chute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do the folks advocating for bike lanes lie so much? It’s incredible how little respect they have for others intelligence. It’s just non-stop bullsh*t and propaganda that doesn’t withstand minimal scrutiny.

I saw someone on here claim that Capital Bikeshare had high utilization. That’s false.

I am now seeing someone try to gaslight people that cyclists don’t run stop signs.

The only time DDOT ever bothered to collect data on bicyclist compliance with traffic laws, they found that most bicyclists don’t even respect RED LIGHTS and engage in dangerous behavior that risks injury to pedestrians and to themselves.

What changing the law will do for cyclists is to try to create enough legal grey area so that they can be absolved or even get compensated for injuring pedestrians or themselves.

Of the 768 cyclists arriving at an intersection on a red light, 508 stopped (although a fraction of the 508 continued again before the light turned green). Of those that stopped, 17 percent stopped behind the painted stop bar preceding the median and crosswalk. However, 76 percent stopped either in the median or in the crosswalk, with most of the remainder stopping in the intersection, placing them potentially in conflict with left-turning vehicles.

https://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/ddot_bike_evaluation_summary_final_report_part3.pdf

This is unreal. Actual data demonstrates what we all know to be true with our own eyes: 86 out of 768 cyclists or only 11% followed traffic laws at red lights.

You see a lot of cyclists talk about how we need Dutch cycling infrastructure. What they don’t talk about is that the Netherlands has very stringent traffic laws for bicycles that includes significant fines. And that makes sense. If you want public resources, it comes with public obligations.

What is even more interesting is that DDOT data in that study indicates some important things. First the cyclist survey says that the vast majority of cyclists “feel” unsafe from cars but they only found cyclists and not cars engaging in behavior that was unsafe around cars. Second and relatedly, that installing protected bikes lanes actually increased accidents. but they are choosing to hide it.

And this is why Vision Zero doesn’t work. Because everything that is being done is actually inducing accidents by bicyclists and ignoring the source of accidents: bicyclists themselves.

What’s crazy about all of this is that pedestrians are the most at risk group in the city. And the cyclists cynically use pedestrian deaths to promote infrastructure and laws that make the city even less safe for pedestrians.

Why can’t cyclists just be considerate and follow the law?

You are citing a study that was done to look at bicycle behavior as evidence that only cyclists break the law? They were only looking at cyclists and not drivers. The study also didn’t find that skydiving is risky so maybe that means that skydivers don’t need an extra chute.

I do appreciate the attempt at trying to change the subject but try reading the DDOT report and findings first. If you actually cared about traffic safety you would find out that:
- cyclist compliance with traffic laws is lower than automobiles
- protected bike lanes increased accidents
- cyclists surveyed perception of risk is not reality
- cyclists are more likely to initiate adverse interactions with cars than the other way around
- the most common adverse interaction was between cyclists and pedestrians

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do the folks advocating for bike lanes lie so much? It’s incredible how little respect they have for others intelligence. It’s just non-stop bullsh*t and propaganda that doesn’t withstand minimal scrutiny.

I saw someone on here claim that Capital Bikeshare had high utilization. That’s false.

I am now seeing someone try to gaslight people that cyclists don’t run stop signs.

The only time DDOT ever bothered to collect data on bicyclist compliance with traffic laws, they found that most bicyclists don’t even respect RED LIGHTS and engage in dangerous behavior that risks injury to pedestrians and to themselves.

What changing the law will do for cyclists is to try to create enough legal grey area so that they can be absolved or even get compensated for injuring pedestrians or themselves.

Of the 768 cyclists arriving at an intersection on a red light, 508 stopped (although a fraction of the 508 continued again before the light turned green). Of those that stopped, 17 percent stopped behind the painted stop bar preceding the median and crosswalk. However, 76 percent stopped either in the median or in the crosswalk, with most of the remainder stopping in the intersection, placing them potentially in conflict with left-turning vehicles.

https://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/ddot_bike_evaluation_summary_final_report_part3.pdf

This is unreal. Actual data demonstrates what we all know to be true with our own eyes: 86 out of 768 cyclists or only 11% followed traffic laws at red lights.

You see a lot of cyclists talk about how we need Dutch cycling infrastructure. What they don’t talk about is that the Netherlands has very stringent traffic laws for bicycles that includes significant fines. And that makes sense. If you want public resources, it comes with public obligations.

What is even more interesting is that DDOT data in that study indicates some important things. First the cyclist survey says that the vast majority of cyclists “feel” unsafe from cars but they only found cyclists and not cars engaging in behavior that was unsafe around cars. Second and relatedly, that installing protected bikes lanes actually increased accidents. but they are choosing to hide it.

And this is why Vision Zero doesn’t work. Because everything that is being done is actually inducing accidents by bicyclists and ignoring the source of accidents: bicyclists themselves.

What’s crazy about all of this is that pedestrians are the most at risk group in the city. And the cyclists cynically use pedestrian deaths to promote infrastructure and laws that make the city even less safe for pedestrians.

Why can’t cyclists just be considerate and follow the law?

You are citing a study that was done to look at bicycle behavior as evidence that only cyclists break the law? They were only looking at cyclists and not drivers. The study also didn’t find that skydiving is risky so maybe that means that skydivers don’t need an extra chute.

I do appreciate the attempt at trying to change the subject but try reading the DDOT report and findings first. If you actually cared about traffic safety you would find out that:
- cyclist compliance with traffic laws is lower than automobiles
- protected bike lanes increased accidents
- cyclists surveyed perception of risk is not reality
- cyclists are more likely to initiate adverse interactions with cars than the other way around
- the most common adverse interaction was between cyclists and pedestrians

That makes sense too. Revert the lanes to use for cars only and then there will be less traffic because of something something. And it will be safer too. Better for the environment. Very logical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do the folks advocating for bike lanes lie so much? It’s incredible how little respect they have for others intelligence. It’s just non-stop bullsh*t and propaganda that doesn’t withstand minimal scrutiny.

I saw someone on here claim that Capital Bikeshare had high utilization. That’s false.

I am now seeing someone try to gaslight people that cyclists don’t run stop signs.

The only time DDOT ever bothered to collect data on bicyclist compliance with traffic laws, they found that most bicyclists don’t even respect RED LIGHTS and engage in dangerous behavior that risks injury to pedestrians and to themselves.

What changing the law will do for cyclists is to try to create enough legal grey area so that they can be absolved or even get compensated for injuring pedestrians or themselves.

Of the 768 cyclists arriving at an intersection on a red light, 508 stopped (although a fraction of the 508 continued again before the light turned green). Of those that stopped, 17 percent stopped behind the painted stop bar preceding the median and crosswalk. However, 76 percent stopped either in the median or in the crosswalk, with most of the remainder stopping in the intersection, placing them potentially in conflict with left-turning vehicles.

https://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/ddot_bike_evaluation_summary_final_report_part3.pdf

This is unreal. Actual data demonstrates what we all know to be true with our own eyes: 86 out of 768 cyclists or only 11% followed traffic laws at red lights.

You see a lot of cyclists talk about how we need Dutch cycling infrastructure. What they don’t talk about is that the Netherlands has very stringent traffic laws for bicycles that includes significant fines. And that makes sense. If you want public resources, it comes with public obligations.

What is even more interesting is that DDOT data in that study indicates some important things. First the cyclist survey says that the vast majority of cyclists “feel” unsafe from cars but they only found cyclists and not cars engaging in behavior that was unsafe around cars. Second and relatedly, that installing protected bikes lanes actually increased accidents. but they are choosing to hide it.

And this is why Vision Zero doesn’t work. Because everything that is being done is actually inducing accidents by bicyclists and ignoring the source of accidents: bicyclists themselves.

What’s crazy about all of this is that pedestrians are the most at risk group in the city. And the cyclists cynically use pedestrian deaths to promote infrastructure and laws that make the city even less safe for pedestrians.

Why can’t cyclists just be considerate and follow the law?

You are citing a study that was done to look at bicycle behavior as evidence that only cyclists break the law? They were only looking at cyclists and not drivers. The study also didn’t find that skydiving is risky so maybe that means that skydivers don’t need an extra chute.

I do appreciate the attempt at trying to change the subject but try reading the DDOT report and findings first. If you actually cared about traffic safety you would find out that:
- cyclist compliance with traffic laws is lower than automobiles
- protected bike lanes increased accidents
- cyclists surveyed perception of risk is not reality
- cyclists are more likely to initiate adverse interactions with cars than the other way around
- the most common adverse interaction was between cyclists and pedestrians

That makes sense too. Revert the lanes to use for cars only and then there will be less traffic because of something something. And it will be safer too. Better for the environment. Very logical.

Your glib attitude reveals an underlying sociopathy of someone who really is truly unconcerned with others safety. Imagine not caring if your behavior directly injured people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do the folks advocating for bike lanes lie so much? It’s incredible how little respect they have for others intelligence. It’s just non-stop bullsh*t and propaganda that doesn’t withstand minimal scrutiny.

I saw someone on here claim that Capital Bikeshare had high utilization. That’s false.

I am now seeing someone try to gaslight people that cyclists don’t run stop signs.

The only time DDOT ever bothered to collect data on bicyclist compliance with traffic laws, they found that most bicyclists don’t even respect RED LIGHTS and engage in dangerous behavior that risks injury to pedestrians and to themselves.

What changing the law will do for cyclists is to try to create enough legal grey area so that they can be absolved or even get compensated for injuring pedestrians or themselves.

Of the 768 cyclists arriving at an intersection on a red light, 508 stopped (although a fraction of the 508 continued again before the light turned green). Of those that stopped, 17 percent stopped behind the painted stop bar preceding the median and crosswalk. However, 76 percent stopped either in the median or in the crosswalk, with most of the remainder stopping in the intersection, placing them potentially in conflict with left-turning vehicles.

https://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/ddot_bike_evaluation_summary_final_report_part3.pdf

This is unreal. Actual data demonstrates what we all know to be true with our own eyes: 86 out of 768 cyclists or only 11% followed traffic laws at red lights.

You see a lot of cyclists talk about how we need Dutch cycling infrastructure. What they don’t talk about is that the Netherlands has very stringent traffic laws for bicycles that includes significant fines. And that makes sense. If you want public resources, it comes with public obligations.

What is even more interesting is that DDOT data in that study indicates some important things. First the cyclist survey says that the vast majority of cyclists “feel” unsafe from cars but they only found cyclists and not cars engaging in behavior that was unsafe around cars. Second and relatedly, that installing protected bikes lanes actually increased accidents. but they are choosing to hide it.

And this is why Vision Zero doesn’t work. Because everything that is being done is actually inducing accidents by bicyclists and ignoring the source of accidents: bicyclists themselves.

What’s crazy about all of this is that pedestrians are the most at risk group in the city. And the cyclists cynically use pedestrian deaths to promote infrastructure and laws that make the city even less safe for pedestrians.

Why can’t cyclists just be considerate and follow the law?

You are citing a study that was done to look at bicycle behavior as evidence that only cyclists break the law? They were only looking at cyclists and not drivers. The study also didn’t find that skydiving is risky so maybe that means that skydivers don’t need an extra chute.

I do appreciate the attempt at trying to change the subject but try reading the DDOT report and findings first. If you actually cared about traffic safety you would find out that:
- cyclist compliance with traffic laws is lower than automobiles
- protected bike lanes increased accidents
- cyclists surveyed perception of risk is not reality
- cyclists are more likely to initiate adverse interactions with cars than the other way around
- the most common adverse interaction was between cyclists and pedestrians

That makes sense too. Revert the lanes to use for cars only and then there will be less traffic because of something something. And it will be safer too. Better for the environment. Very logical.

Your glib attitude reveals an underlying sociopathy of someone who really is truly unconcerned with others safety. Imagine not caring if your behavior directly injured people.

It was meant as sarcasm, I thought the last part made that clear. But given the irrationality shown by some, I'll try to remember to /s end the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
What’s crazy about all of this is that pedestrians are the most at risk group in the city. And the cyclists cynically use pedestrian deaths to promote infrastructure and laws that make the city even less safe for pedestrians.

Why can’t cyclists just be considerate and follow the law?

I live in DC and I get close contacts with cyclists every day. But you know what? I know that my chances of being killed, maimed, or injured by a cyclist is slim to almost none while my chances of having my life destroyed by a driver operating a four ton steel death mobile is astronomically higher.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I do appreciate the attempt at trying to change the subject but try reading the DDOT report and findings first. If you actually cared about traffic safety you would find out that:
- cyclist compliance with traffic laws is lower than automobiles
- protected bike lanes increased accidents
- cyclists surveyed perception of risk is not reality
- cyclists are more likely to initiate adverse interactions with cars than the other way around
- the most common adverse interaction was between cyclists and pedestrians

Complete nonsense

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I do appreciate the attempt at trying to change the subject but try reading the DDOT report and findings first. If you actually cared about traffic safety you would find out that:
- cyclist compliance with traffic laws is lower than automobiles
- protected bike lanes increased accidents
- cyclists surveyed perception of risk is not reality
- cyclists are more likely to initiate adverse interactions with cars than the other way around
- the most common adverse interaction was between cyclists and pedestrians

Complete nonsense

You’re showing your unwillingness to confront facts. Go read the report. You are in absolute denial of real data. Which at the end of the is why every one of these discussions comes down to cyclists saying that they need to do whatever they want without any rules applying to them because they need to feel safe, because the actual data doesn’t back them up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You’re showing your unwillingness to confront facts. Go read the report. You are in absolute denial of real data. Which at the end of the is why every one of these discussions comes down to cyclists saying that they need to do whatever they want without any rules applying to them because they need to feel safe, because the actual data doesn’t back them up.

Nobody cares. Drivers operate four ton steel death mobiles. Cyclists do not. Thus, the legal responsibility for their safe operation is on the drivers, not the cyclists, despite police and political leader efforts to reduce driver responsibility for operating their four ton steel death mobiles safely on city streets.

Sorry you don't like those facts.

[Anonymous]

If I get specialty environmental plates on my SUV doesn't that mean that I'm doing more for the environment than bicyclists?

/s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You’re showing your unwillingness to confront facts. Go read the report. You are in absolute denial of real data. Which at the end of the is why every one of these discussions comes down to cyclists saying that they need to do whatever they want without any rules applying to them because they need to feel safe, because the actual data doesn’t back them up.

Nobody cares. Drivers operate four ton steel death mobiles. Cyclists do not. Thus, the legal responsibility for their safe operation is on the drivers, not the cyclists, despite police and political leader efforts to reduce driver responsibility for operating their four ton steel death mobiles safely on city streets.

Sorry you don't like those facts.

You sound a little emotional. Just saying factually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do the folks advocating for bike lanes lie so much? It’s incredible how little respect they have for others intelligence. It’s just non-stop bullsh*t and propaganda that doesn’t withstand minimal scrutiny.

I saw someone on here claim that Capital Bikeshare had high utilization. That’s false.

I am now seeing someone try to gaslight people that cyclists don’t run stop signs.

The only time DDOT ever bothered to collect data on bicyclist compliance with traffic laws, they found that most bicyclists don’t even respect RED LIGHTS and engage in dangerous behavior that risks injury to pedestrians and to themselves.

What changing the law will do for cyclists is to try to create enough legal grey area so that they can be absolved or even get compensated for injuring pedestrians or themselves.

Of the 768 cyclists arriving at an intersection on a red light, 508 stopped (although a fraction of the 508 continued again before the light turned green). Of those that stopped, 17 percent stopped behind the painted stop bar preceding the median and crosswalk. However, 76 percent stopped either in the median or in the crosswalk, with most of the remainder stopping in the intersection, placing them potentially in conflict with left-turning vehicles.

https://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/ddot_bike_evaluation_summary_final_report_part3.pdf

This is unreal. Actual data demonstrates what we all know to be true with our own eyes: 86 out of 768 cyclists or only 11% followed traffic laws at red lights.

You see a lot of cyclists talk about how we need Dutch cycling infrastructure. What they don’t talk about is that the Netherlands has very stringent traffic laws for bicycles that includes significant fines. And that makes sense. If you want public resources, it comes with public obligations.

What is even more interesting is that DDOT data in that study indicates some important things. First the cyclist survey says that the vast majority of cyclists “feel” unsafe from cars but they only found cyclists and not cars engaging in behavior that was unsafe around cars. Second and relatedly, that installing protected bikes lanes actually increased accidents. but they are choosing to hide it.

And this is why Vision Zero doesn’t work. Because everything that is being done is actually inducing accidents by bicyclists and ignoring the source of accidents: bicyclists themselves.

I’ve been in two bicycle accidents in more than a decade of commuting by bike to work. The first one, I was in a bike lane and a car drove into the lane and hit me, because, the driver said, he hadn’t looked to see if anyone was there. (Very minor wrist injury to me, no damage to bike, his mirror may have been damaged, not sure, I didn’t bother to call police or anything). The second one, I crashed my bike into the ground intentionally to avoid hitting a kid who dashed out between two parked cars in the middle of a block. (Again no damage to bike, some minor blood and scrapes on me, kid unhurt because I didn’t hit her.) So in the actual data in my own life, I’d say bicycles were the cause of 0 percent of the accidents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do the folks advocating for bike lanes lie so much? It’s incredible how little respect they have for others intelligence. It’s just non-stop bullsh*t and propaganda that doesn’t withstand minimal scrutiny.

I saw someone on here claim that Capital Bikeshare had high utilization. That’s false.

I am now seeing someone try to gaslight people that cyclists don’t run stop signs.

The only time DDOT ever bothered to collect data on bicyclist compliance with traffic laws, they found that most bicyclists don’t even respect RED LIGHTS and engage in dangerous behavior that risks injury to pedestrians and to themselves.

What changing the law will do for cyclists is to try to create enough legal grey area so that they can be absolved or even get compensated for injuring pedestrians or themselves.

Of the 768 cyclists arriving at an intersection on a red light, 508 stopped (although a fraction of the 508 continued again before the light turned green). Of those that stopped, 17 percent stopped behind the painted stop bar preceding the median and crosswalk. However, 76 percent stopped either in the median or in the crosswalk, with most of the remainder stopping in the intersection, placing them potentially in conflict with left-turning vehicles.

https://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/ddot_bike_evaluation_summary_final_report_part3.pdf

This is unreal. Actual data demonstrates what we all know to be true with our own eyes: 86 out of 768 cyclists or only 11% followed traffic laws at red lights.

You see a lot of cyclists talk about how we need Dutch cycling infrastructure. What they don’t talk about is that the Netherlands has very stringent traffic laws for bicycles that includes significant fines. And that makes sense. If you want public resources, it comes with public obligations.

What is even more interesting is that DDOT data in that study indicates some important things. First the cyclist survey says that the vast majority of cyclists “feel” unsafe from cars but they only found cyclists and not cars engaging in behavior that was unsafe around cars. Second and relatedly, that installing protected bikes lanes actually increased accidents. but they are choosing to hide it.

And this is why Vision Zero doesn’t work. Because everything that is being done is actually inducing accidents by bicyclists and ignoring the source of accidents: bicyclists themselves.

I’ve been in two bicycle accidents in more than a decade of commuting by bike to work. The first one, I was in a bike lane and a car drove into the lane and hit me, because, the driver said, he hadn’t looked to see if anyone was there. (Very minor wrist injury to me, no damage to bike, his mirror may have been damaged, not sure, I didn’t bother to call police or anything). The second one, I crashed my bike into the ground intentionally to avoid hitting a kid who dashed out between two parked cars in the middle of a block. (Again no damage to bike, some minor blood and scrapes on me, kid unhurt because I didn’t hit her.) So in the actual data in my own life, I’d say bicycles were the cause of 0 percent of the accidents.

If you needed to do the actions as described, this means you were going too fast for the conditions present. So yes, you were at fault there.

The next time a cyclist takes responsibility for his/her actions will be the first time.