[Vision2020] bicycling in Moscow and beyond

[rogeram at highstream.net]

I second Roger's comment and would like to add a brief item I recently learned
from the editor of "Adventure Cyclist" magazine, Mike Deme, in their July
edition. According the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS,
www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov)traffic fatalities of cyclists in the U.S. have gone down
from 833 in 1995 to 622 in 2003. He further points out that data from the
National Center for Statistics and Analysis
(www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-30/ncsa)indicate traffic related
injuries
of cyclists account for two percent of all traffic related injuries while
pedestrian deaths make up eleven percent of all traffic related deaths. So it
would seem by the numbers that riding a bike may be safer than walking.

I believe that one factor that helps makes bicycling and pedestrian traffic
safer is having places for cyclists and pedestrians to travel without motor
vehicles traffic. I ride to work in Pullman from Moscow when ever I can and
having the Chipman Trail to ride on makes all the difference in the world.
Still, I insist on exercising my right-of-way on roads in the area and I
believe the struggle to find acceptance for non-motorized modes of
transportation is is very much a two way street. Despite our respective choices
for modes of transportation, Kai and I have reached a consensus on this issue.
Know your rights and responsibilities as it pertains to the rules of the road.

Roger Ames
'72 Motobecane
scratches are the least of my worries, don't you know there is a war on?

"Our decision about energy will test the character of the American people and
the ability of the President and the Congress to govern. This difficult effort
will be the moral equivalent of war -- except that we will be uniting our
efforts to build and not destroy."
Jimmy Carter, 1977


Quoting roger hayes <rhayes at turbonet.com>:

> All:
>
> I suppose this is sort of a response to both Kai's comments on why
> bicyclists might ride on a sidewalk and to the current thread about oil
> supplies. (Yes, there may be a connection!)
> First of all, riding a bike instead of driving is a good thing, not
> only for the individual gain of good exercise, but for the society as a
> whole.  Each person on a bike is one less car congesting traffic,
> demanding more roads, polluting the air, consuming precious
> petrochemicals, and generally deteriorating the ambiance of our town.
> Of course, due to personal physical limitations, not everyone has the
> ability to ride a bike in pursuit of their daily lives.  That's the way
> it is. There are busses here in Moscow now.
> Riding a bike can be a very hazardous activity. It's obvious that motor
> vehicles, and road conditions really do present a serious threat. Sean
> Michael hits the nail on the head about why people might ride on the
> sidewalk. Even riding in the bike lane can be dangerous. Motor vehicles
> often take that space too.  Traffic travels well above the speed limit.
> Vehicles pass, then cut in front of bicyclists to turn right. All the
> pressures can cause a bicyclist to give up using the provided bike lane
> and get pushed onto the sidewalk.
> Now, even though in Moscow it is legal for bicyclists to use the
> sidewalks, I don't like to ride there.  That space is for pedestrians.
> I believe a bicycle is a vehicle.  It belongs on the street. In order
> to get bicyclist off the sidewalk, vehicles will have to allow
> bicyclist to ride on the streets.  The municipality will have to
> encourage drivers to travel at the speed limits, adequate space for
> bike lanes should be provided, and a mentality of respect between the
> different modes of transportation should be fostered.
> Back to the oil supply question...
> The future belongs to those who reckon with it.  I think riding a bike,
> walking, and being conscious of the problems facing us is doing so.
>
> Sincerely,
> Roger Hayes
> '04 LeMond
> Not too many scratches yet
>
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