Comments on: Blaming Cyclists for Dangerous Roads: It Goes Way Back http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/17/blaming-cyclists-for-dangerous-roads-it-goes-way-back/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Boris http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/17/blaming-cyclists-for-dangerous-roads-it-goes-way-back/comment-page-1/#comment-119821 Boris Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:09:36 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=49401#comment-119821 An online truck-driving class I took for work at a phone company also instructed us to honk at pedestrians to "warn" them. In the comments and feedback section at the end of the class (normally used for reporting bugs) I told them what I thought about this ridiculous practice. An online truck-driving class I took for work at a phone company also instructed us to honk at pedestrians to “warn” them. In the comments and feedback section at the end of the class (normally used for reporting bugs) I told them what I thought about this ridiculous practice.

]]> By: Brad Aaron http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/17/blaming-cyclists-for-dangerous-roads-it-goes-way-back/comment-page-1/#comment-119771 Brad Aaron Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:50:15 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=49401#comment-119771 Kaja, that must be the same video they use to teach livery drivers. Kaja, that must be the same video they use to teach livery drivers.

]]> By: Kaja http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/17/blaming-cyclists-for-dangerous-roads-it-goes-way-back/comment-page-1/#comment-119591 Kaja Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:05:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=49401#comment-119591 My driver's ed in 1997 never referenced cyclists. The instructional video was four decades old, and the voiceover taught drivers to honk at every intersection to let people know you're coming. (Our instructor paused the video and reminded us not to do that today.) My driver’s ed in 1997 never referenced cyclists.

The instructional video was four decades old, and the voiceover taught drivers to honk at every intersection to let people know you’re coming. (Our instructor paused the video and reminded us not to do that today.)

]]> By: Ken http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/17/blaming-cyclists-for-dangerous-roads-it-goes-way-back/comment-page-1/#comment-119581 Ken Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:03:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=49401#comment-119581 I have been told that in the Netherlands, if a car hits a cyclist, the motorist is always liable, no matter the circumstances. Drivers there are extremely careful as a consequence. Regard for human life apparently isn't enough to persuade drivers to slow down and respect cyclists and peds -- you have to hit them in the pocketbook. (And create an infrastructure that discourages driving and forces the remainder to drive more cautiously.) I have been told that in the Netherlands, if a car hits a cyclist, the motorist is always liable, no matter the circumstances. Drivers there are extremely careful as a consequence. Regard for human life apparently isn’t enough to persuade drivers to slow down and respect cyclists and peds — you have to hit them in the pocketbook. (And create an infrastructure that discourages driving and forces the remainder to drive more cautiously.)

]]> By: Evan http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/17/blaming-cyclists-for-dangerous-roads-it-goes-way-back/comment-page-1/#comment-119551 Evan Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:21:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=49401#comment-119551 Yes, and I have similar dissatisfaction with the whole helmet thing. Rather than make better drivers, we put the onus on cyclists to wear helmets to protect us from drivers, who often face no repercussions for hitting or killing a cyclist. I'm surprised AAA doesn't advocate for pedestrians to wear helmets too. (And yes, I do wear a helmet...most of the time. Because I am afraid of drivers, not myself.) Yes, and I have similar dissatisfaction with the whole helmet thing. Rather than make better drivers, we put the onus on cyclists to wear helmets to protect us from drivers, who often face no repercussions for hitting or killing a cyclist. I’m surprised AAA doesn’t advocate for pedestrians to wear helmets too. (And yes, I do wear a helmet…most of the time. Because I am afraid of drivers, not myself.)

]]> By: Mark Walker http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/17/blaming-cyclists-for-dangerous-roads-it-goes-way-back/comment-page-1/#comment-119541 Mark Walker Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:16:57 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=49401#comment-119541 My driver's ed class didn't contain a single reference to cyclists. That was a long time ago (early 1970s). Has anything changed? My driver’s ed class didn’t contain a single reference to cyclists. That was a long time ago (early 1970s). Has anything changed?

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