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lift the ban on cycling on downtown sidewalks NOW

lift the ban on cycling on downtown sidewalks NOW

W- I know asking you to give up your dreams of having everyone to ride on the sidewalk is a long shot, but I just want to make sure you are aware how out of step that notion is with the rest of the cycling advocacy and access community. The more common theme in advocacy is that of "vehicular cycling." While the guy is a bit of a kook, John Forester puts its best when he says "Cyclists fair best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles." http://www.johnforester.com/

Studies have shown this to be true, and that you are more likely to be involved in a crash while riding on the sidewalk. Between closer interactions with pedestrians, vehicles exiting driveways and pulling through crosswalks it just isn't safe!

Should transportation planners create seperated areas for cyclists? Sure, when it will fit and usage rates make it appropriate. Can automobiles and bicycles coexist on the road together without special accomadations? Yes, with thoughtful planning to slow down or limit the amount of cars on the roadway and mutual respect from both drivers and cyclists, this actually works quite well.

I support lifting the ban on cycling on sidewalks, but only in the sense that no law ever made us free. I don't think or care if this post will help you see the light and take to the streets- I'd just appreciate it if you stopped with the half-hearted rants about that being the only safe place. Sure they do things differently in Berlin, Copenhagen, etc. Guess what? This ain't Europe. Your going against all popular conventions on cycling infrastructure is just as much typical American rugged individualism as the a-hole in the SUV who honked at me on my way to work this morning.

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