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Cyclists now outnumber motorists in City of London

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Re: Cyclists now outnumber motorists in City of London

#181
post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How often does it snow in the Netherlands?

Amazingly, there is a city almost as dominated by cyclists in Finland (don't remember how it's called atm). The city is plowing and de-icing all the bike paths on regular basis. They're also well-lit, as people's commutes during winter months are often in the dark.

Another interesting fact is that at least some of the cycle lane markings are projected rather than painted because otherwise they would be covered by the snow.

Re: Cyclists now outnumber motorists in City of London

#182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where do you live for those of us unfamiliar with the city? Paris? More on topic - Bikes make a lot of sense in the city but if you add kids to the equation the safety risk just becomes too high to stomach IMO.

> the safety risk just becomes too high to stomach Check out chart 2: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casua...

To share with everyone else, chart 2 shows 12x more fatalities per mile traveled for bikes compared to cars.

Re: Cyclists now outnumber motorists in City of London

#183

Somewhat unrelated to the article, but I live in a mid-size EU city and dumped my car for an e-bike a few months ago. Surprisingly, it hasn't been that hard (my GF kept her car, and I have a car-sharing subscription): Pros: - Immediately stopped having insomnia. Better feel overall; - about €300/month in additional disposable income. That's basically a free lunch everyday! - significantly faster if parking is taken i…

Don't have to worry about theft?! Wow, Europe must be so different than North America. I'm much more worried about my biker being stolen (has happened about a dozen times in my life) than my car. If the former happens you get absolutely zero support, while if the latter happens the police will actually try to do something.

It was most likely a typo, there is hardly any European country where bycicles don't get stolen.

Re: Cyclists now outnumber motorists in City of London

#184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> - weather might make the ride unpleasant; As the Dutch like to say: there is no such thing as bad cycling weather, only bad cycling clothes. I would strongly recommond a pair of water/wind proof trousers to go over your regular trousers, if you don't already have some. This has lead to a much more pleasant riding experience, especially in winter. They aren't very practical on a regular bike as they make you uncomfo…

>> As the Dutch like to say: there is no such thing as bad cycling weather, only bad cycling clothes. Easy to say in a country famously flat, small, and with a relatively narrow weather window. I welcome any Dutch person to attempt a 15+km commute during a rocky mountain winter. I know of driveways in US/Canada with more vertical than any Dutch commute.

That famed flatness brings along with it less famed strong winds.

Having cycled on some of those windy days, it was more challenging than most of the hilly cities I've lived in.

Re: Cyclists now outnumber motorists in City of London

#187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Whilst I'm overall in favour of promoting cycling as a way of getting around, in preference to motor vehicles, I'm not sure I entirely agree with "safer". I live in Cambridge and have lost count of the number of times I've had to contend with cyclists blowing through pedestrian crossings on a red light (or zebra crossings at any time) when I'm trying to walk over them, or cycling the wrong way down a one-way street -…

As this is a UK based article, I'm assuming you mean the Cambridge in England. I happen to live in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the while cyclists can be reckless, the drivers pose a 1000x greater threat to safety than cyclists. As a tip for dealing with cyclists: continue your movement as a pedestrian: they'll go around you. Most pedestrians have headphones in/little awareness of their surroundings, and as a cyclist…

> As a tip for dealing with cyclists: continue your movement as a pedestrian

As a pedestrian (I am not wearing headphones) please ring your bell if you are passing me on a shared path.

It is very frightening to have a cyclist suddenly appear in your field of vision, from behind, terrifying.

Re: Cyclists now outnumber motorists in City of London

#188
post #24
post #15

We are the cyclists, the intermediate stage between humans and pure energy. https://youtu.be/1s0XsulDXtk

Bicycles are the best machine from the industrial revolution. Quiet, healthy, efficient, harmonious with our sensibilities. I think it is precisely these aspirational qualities that is enraging the morlocks in their cars (speaking for US only now, it's better in other countries). A bicycle is a shameful reminder of the virtuous path not taken.

100%, but you missed FUN.

On another note, Ran Prieur has some interesting thoughts on bikes as a mode of transport.

https://www.ranprieur.com/tech/trans.html

Re: Cyclists now outnumber motorists in City of London

#189

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also noting on drinking and riding, in Switzerland, it's possible to lose your drivers license if caught doing it, I kinda think thats unfair and not very sensible at all as a policy.

What if you just don't have a drivers license?

I'm not sure, I was under the impression that you won't be able to get one for the period it would be suspended, but can't find a source.

Re: Cyclists now outnumber motorists in City of London

#190
post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't most of you points also apply to drunk walking?

The damage is a function of mass and speed. Obviously walking < e-bike << car

To quickly do the calculations:

Walking: 5 km/h * 70kg = 97 kgm/s

e-bike: 20 km/h * 90 kg = 500 kgm/s

car: 50 km/h * 2000kg = 28,000 kgm/s

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