Safe infrastructure

Re: Death in the Bike Lane. by Lawrence Solomon, Jan. 2, 2018 I have been riding to work in downtown Vancouver nearly every day for 17 years. During this time, I have been sideswiped, cut-off and risked direct impact from vehicles more times than I can remember. I have also spent time in the emergency room as a result of these experiences.

On a positive note, I can also tell you that my commute has become safer over time. This is largely a result of continual improvements in cycling infrastructure. In my experience, bicycle lanes provide more than physical protection; they also improve driver awareness of cyclists, both directly due to their presence and indirectly by increasing the number of people who cycle.

I don’t doubt the statistic that the majority of bike-car accidents occur at intersections. This is a statement of the obvious and applies to any mode of transport: bicycle, pedestrian and motor vehicle. However, the fact that most accidents occur at intersections does not imply that we do not need safety measures on other areas of the roads. As an example, sidewalks have long been accepted as a necessary implement for pedestrian safety. The same logic applies to bike lanes.

Mr. Solomon asserts that we do not need bike lanes because only seven per cent of bike-car collisions happen when vehicles overtake bikes. I suggest you get on your bike sir, and see how it feels to be on the losing side of that statistic.