Cycling Safety

Idaho Stops Now Legal in WA

Politics can be a depressing subject these days, but there are occasional good news, too. Here's one: Washington State just passed a new law that allows cyclists to roll through stop signs if no other traffic is present. The same law also allows cyclists to proceed through a red light...

Snares and Traps for Cyclists

What does the photo above show? It reminds me of the traps used to ensnare animals, used by trappers who hunt animals for their fur. As the animal passes, its leg gets caught in the snare... So why are these snares appearing all over Seattle's bike lanes? Is it a nefarious...

Red Lights and the Idaho Experiment

Running Red Lights Few things raise the ire of motorists (and some cyclists) more than cyclists running red lights. Yet anybody who has ridden in major cities has seen riders proceeding through red lights. Why do they do this? Cyclists operate on streets that are designed for cars. The current traffic infrastructure...

Helmets Wars – Missing the Point

In the U.S., most "responsible" cyclists wear helmets, yet when I cycle in Europe or Japan, I see many cyclotourists who ride without helmets. The Europeans or Japanese don't seem like dare-devils or poorly informed. What is going on here? I've thought about this a lot, and I've concluded that...

Aren't Bikes Traffic?

On a ride around Lake Washington, I began to notice the signs. They occurred mostly at construction sites, and re-directed bikes where the bike lane was closed. It's nice that they now put up signs, where in the past they simply roped off the bike lane or parked a big...

Making Cycling Convenient (and Better!)

"Half of Copenhagen residents use bicycles to get to work or school. Not because these individuals are eco-friendly, young or sporty - but because bicycles are convenient and the fastest way to get around in the city." I was thinking about this statement from a mayor of Copenhagen as I rode...

Cyclepaths in Berlin

I recently visited relatives in Berlin, Germany. One morning, I borrowed an old mountain bike and rode around town. I love Berlin, especially the neighborhoods away from the tourist bustle. It's so down-to-earth and accessible. Berlin mixes businesses and residential spaces even more than most German towns, so you're never far...

Partners on the Road

I am always surprised how many cyclists are afraid of cars and their drivers, or have downright animosity to them. I prefer to see drivers as partners in a big game called Traffic. It starts with the wording: "Share the Road" implies sacrifice. I prefer to think of other road users...

Bike to Work 3: Separate or Equal?

In recent years, there has been a worrisome trend in the U.S. to advocate for separate bike paths ("cycle tracks"), or at least some visual barrier between bike and car lanes. An organization called "Bikes Belong" advocates for "protected bike lanes." Recently in Seattle, guerilla cyclists installed pylons to separate...

Are "Safer" Cars a Menace to Cyclists?

Today's papers report of a new government safety initiative: Cars talking to each other, for example, to warn the driver that cars ahead are stopped at a red light, or that another car is about to ignore a stop sign and blow through the intersection. A pilot project in Ann...