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Junction design in the Netherlands [video]

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11–20 of 43 posts

Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]

#12

Wonder if cyclists there optimize their route for right turns (a la UPS) since it is so convenient in this setup.

Most definitely. I’ve been cycling in the Netherlands for three months now and I've found myself instinctively opting for a quasi-circular route when going to and from a destination to ensure maximum flow via right-hand turns.

Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]

#13
post #8

Amusing no one wears helmets.

We Dutch are basically born on a bycicle and learn to ride it at a young age. Everybody can cycle, it's so...ingrained.

almost 17 milion people. 200 deaths a year. 65000 accidents required doctor treatment (maybe we are not zo great at cycling as we think). 15000 end up in a hospital. Especially old people tend to get killed.

http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/public...

Still, overall 570 traffic deaths (including cars and pedestrians etc) for 2013 is quite good.

Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]

#15
post #8

Amusing no one wears helmets.

As somebody who lives in the Netherlands, I've not really found a reason for helmets to be used. Dutch people are generally very competent at cycling (and other non-motorized transport-on-wheels like inline skates).

I've personally also never known anybody who experienced a traffic accident where a helmet would have helped them - it's usually broken legs, scrapes on knees, etc.

Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]

#16
post #8

Amusing no one wears helmets.

Why would they need to when the biggest danger factor (cars) is removed as a threat?

Because car or no car the head still goes crack when it hits the road. To me it seems obvious to reduce a risk of fatal injury with something as simple as a helmet.

Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]

#17
post #3

The future of transportation is; separate different modes of transportation as much as possible. When I was younger, I was regularly biking in between the car lanes( sometimes very risky ), skipping the bicycle paths since they were much slower or simply missing. I would almost always get there before I would with a car or a bus, and parking wasn't a problem. If the lanes were completely separated this could be done…

Younger I used to do the same, that was before I learned to drive. I'll never ride that way ever again. It's dangerous for everyone, as a driver I have to anxiously check every bike because they may cross streams at any point in the future.

Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]

#18
post #3

The future of transportation is; separate different modes of transportation as much as possible. When I was younger, I was regularly biking in between the car lanes( sometimes very risky ), skipping the bicycle paths since they were much slower or simply missing. I would almost always get there before I would with a car or a bus, and parking wasn't a problem. If the lanes were completely separated this could be done…

"From my experience" really goes against empirical evidence in many cases. This happens with traffic safety just as well.

The Dutch have built a system that avoids several 9/11s in traffic deaths per year. Their traffic safety policy is evidence based, more so than most places in the world. I wish local politicians here and everywhere else would learn from it more!

Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]

#19
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would they need to when the biggest danger factor (cars) is removed as a threat?

Because car or no car the head still goes crack when it hits the road. To me it seems obvious to reduce a risk of fatal injury with something as simple as a helmet.

Agreed. Helmets for cyclists should be mandatory, just like seat belts are for drivers.

Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]

#20
post #19
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because car or no car the head still goes crack when it hits the road. To me it seems obvious to reduce a risk of fatal injury with something as simple as a helmet.

Agreed. Helmets for cyclists should be mandatory, just like seat belts are for drivers.

Mandatory helmet laws kill people, and possibly more than are saved.

This happens in two ways: car drivers drive more dangerously when they see a helmet; less people ride a bycicle and so there is more pollution and more deaths or more lack-of-exercise related death.

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