🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <827255530snz@tmsl.demon.co.uk> Paul@tmsl.demon.co.uk writes:
>(someone else wrote):
>> 85% of cyclists who are killed by a car (most are) were not seen
>> by the motorist. 
>
>But only because motorists can't be bothered to look.

There's also the fact that the separation of cyclist from motorists in 
Holland also means that you don't have unlit cyclists in the middle of
the road (as I've seen on the pitch-black Ottawa River Parkway) and
cyclists balancing a case of beer on the handlebars coming off the 
sidewalk to cross on red lights without looking, only to give you the 
finger when you honk at them (quite an agile feat). There's a lot of 
educating to be done on both sides.

The problem in North America (and possibly the UK, I only motorbiked
and drove cars when I was there) is that there is real animosity
between cyclists and motorists. They won't make room for each other and
they have no respect for one another. This translates into poor
behaviour on both sides. In Holland there *is* room for everyone, 
especially in the high traffic areas where it matters most. And they 
all have proper racks to carry stuff, lights, and places to park their 
bikes when they get where they're going, and everybody cycles. 

The only thing that's going to change accident rates here is make cycling 
an everyday part of the culture. Easier said than done.

Jody
Toronto