Safety In Numbers

Good article on the benefits of bike friendly infrastructure and how it improves safety for all:

http://www.planetizen.com/node/50020

Forums: 

Precisely.

There are often arguments that it is not speed that causes crashes, but bad drivers etc. etc. These are the ones that want the limit on Hwy 1 raised to 140 or something and try to pretend that it will be all safe if only those slow pokes would stay out of the passing lane.

Lower speeds means any crashes that do occur are less harmful -- a win for everyone.

Within the city how long it takes to get somewhere has little to do with how fast you go, but more to do with how many times you have to stop, which is dictated by how many lights there are and much traffic there is.

X2

I agree. I have often wondered what Calgary would be like if it didnt salt/gravel any roads in winter!

Imagine it... if you dont have a vehicle capable of driving in snow that has only been plowed... you dont drive. You ride, walk or take transit. You would also buy really good tires if you did drive which eliminates all those bad tired cars driving year round. Cars would also drive VERY slowly. I think accidents would happen true but as said above... they would be less harmful due to the speeds being low and I also strongly believe that accidents would be fewer due to the increased diligence, slow speeds, better tires and less cars on the road.

Dare to dream