Absent 24/7 enforcement, lowering posted speed limits does NOT change the travel speeds of at least the upper half of the flow. A few drivers will comply with the lowered limit which increases speed variance and slightly increases the crash risks for all users. THAT is the science, and the article admits the truth of little or no actual flow speed changes.
To materially lower the actual travel speeds it is necessary to degrade the roadway environment so that drivers who formerly felt safe and comfortable at speeds up to about 30 now feel safe and comfortable only at speeds up to about 25. THAT is the reality.
James C. Walker, Life Member – National Motorists Association
First the bike riders want to “share” the road. Ok. But then they become uncomfortable with riding around with 3000 cars. THE BIKE RIDERS CHOOSE TO ENGAGE IN THIS! And the least they can do is accept that riding next to 3000 cars is more risky than riding on a sidewalk or bike path. It is like listening to a skydiver complain that he is falling too fast.
Now they want speed limits “adjusted” lower to make them “comfortable”.
This is NOT really about “safety”.
Using impact speed as your decider in crashes is not safety.
How about this paper LIST THE TRUE CAUSES OF EVERY BIKE crash??
How many were riding in dark cloths at night with NO LIGHTS ON???
Riding against traffic and or wrong way down bike lanes.
Riding on Expressways even (I have seen this one before!
Bike riders want everyone else to change, but flash the spotlight on what many of them do and they will try to blame motorists every time. Heck in some areas they want motorists charged REGARDLESS if the motorists caused the wreck.
Speed limits should be based on what people can safely interact with others.
NOT based on “impact” speed because some bike riders feel that red lights, stop signs, etc dont’ apply to them at all.
Good one Stephen. I have seen a lot of bike riders think they have the right of way, merge in and out of traffic with no thought of safety. I think they must have been smoking dope to do what they have been doing.
Get those pesky bicyclists to go slower!
Absent 24/7 enforcement, lowering posted speed limits does NOT change the travel speeds of at least the upper half of the flow. A few drivers will comply with the lowered limit which increases speed variance and slightly increases the crash risks for all users. THAT is the science, and the article admits the truth of little or no actual flow speed changes.
To materially lower the actual travel speeds it is necessary to degrade the roadway environment so that drivers who formerly felt safe and comfortable at speeds up to about 30 now feel safe and comfortable only at speeds up to about 25. THAT is the reality.
James C. Walker, Life Member – National Motorists Association
First the bike riders want to “share” the road. Ok. But then they become uncomfortable with riding around with 3000 cars. THE BIKE RIDERS CHOOSE TO ENGAGE IN THIS! And the least they can do is accept that riding next to 3000 cars is more risky than riding on a sidewalk or bike path. It is like listening to a skydiver complain that he is falling too fast.
Now they want speed limits “adjusted” lower to make them “comfortable”.
This is NOT really about “safety”.
Using impact speed as your decider in crashes is not safety.
How about this paper LIST THE TRUE CAUSES OF EVERY BIKE crash??
How many were:
Drunk bike riders
Bike riders ignoring red lights
Bike riders ignoring stop signs (heck in SF they tried to get a law passed “allowing” bike riders to run stop signs at WILL! http://kron4.com/2016/01/20/advocates-pursuing-rolling-stop-pilot-program-after-san-francisco-mayor-vetoes-bike-yield-legislation/ )
How many were riding in dark cloths at night with NO LIGHTS ON???
Riding against traffic and or wrong way down bike lanes.
Riding on Expressways even (I have seen this one before!
Bike riders want everyone else to change, but flash the spotlight on what many of them do and they will try to blame motorists every time. Heck in some areas they want motorists charged REGARDLESS if the motorists caused the wreck.
Speed limits should be based on what people can safely interact with others.
NOT based on “impact” speed because some bike riders feel that red lights, stop signs, etc dont’ apply to them at all.
Good one Stephen. I have seen a lot of bike riders think they have the right of way, merge in and out of traffic with no thought of safety. I think they must have been smoking dope to do what they have been doing.