steven

March 5, 2019

Paying for Shared Roads

By Steven Goodridge NCDOT and the state legislature are facing an inescapable reality: not only are fossil fuel tax revenues not keeping up with the costs of building and maintaining a road system that suits the speed and convenience preferences of motorists, but the state is also failing to protect public safety adequately on those state-maintained roads. The cause of the public safety problem on state-maintained roads is not the slow speed and vulnerability of bicyclists. Our humanity is a virtue for which we need never apologize. The cause of the safety problem is the high speeds at … [Read more...]

March 4, 2019

Cyclists and Peds Pay Fuel Taxes

Through taxes on food and supplements, bicyclists and pedestrians pay about as much per mile traveled as motorists do by Steven Goodridge "Bicyclists don't pay fuel tax" is a claim commonly used by detractors to disparage bicyclists as "freeloaders" who are presumably less virtuous than motorists, and thus less deserving of respect or protection of their travel rights on public roads. Bicyclist advocates usually respond to this attack with an explanation of why bicycle travel has much lower public costs than motoring in terms of roadway wear, space, pollution, and/or danger to the public, … [Read more...]

February 27, 2019

Bicycle Registration and Plate Proposal Draws Ridicule

A bill sponsored by NC House Representative Jeffrey Elmore (representing Alexander and Wilkes Counties) would require all bicycles operated by persons age 16 and over to be registered with the state DMV and equipped with a bicycle-specific license plate for an annual fee of ten dollars per bicycle. https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2019/Bills/House/PDF/H157v0.pdf Although the suggested purpose of the bill is to raise money for bicycle projects, bicyclist advocates around the state were immediately critical of the proposal. Terry Lansdell, executive director of BikeWalk NC, pointed out that … [Read more...]

November 5, 2018

Change Lanes to Pass- A Lesson in Safety

Consensus building around a better paradigm for bicycling safety by Steven Goodridge A driver pulling a wide trailer nearly sideswipes a bicyclist in Petaluma, California The Problem Unsafe close passing, especially at high speeds, is one of the most common safety concerns expressed by bicyclists who use our state’s roadways. Beyond just frightening bicyclists, unsafe close passing contributes to a large share of car-overtaking-bicycle collisions. Although darkness, impaired driving and distracted driving are factors in many overtaking-type collisions, a growing body of evidence … [Read more...]

September 18, 2018

Rules of the Road for Electric Scooters

What are the traffic rules for electric scooters such as the Bird? What should they be? These questions are being asked by a wide range of stakeholders following the sudden influx of scooter-share activity in urban areas. Electric scooter rental offers the instant ability to travel at 15 mph between downtown destinations without physical exertion (or sweating), and without the up-front cost of purchasing the vehicle. Although they may resemble a child’s kick-scooter, electric scooter-share vehicles are not toys; nor are they to be confused with disability-assistance devices that move at … [Read more...]

February 7, 2018

Autonomous Driving and Collision Avoidance Technology

Implications for Bicyclists and Pedestrians Will autonomous cars and automatic braking systems live up to their promise to improve public safety? Or will a rush to market flawed technology create greater peril for pedestrians and bicyclists? by Steven Goodridge, Ph.D. As I pedaled my bike along the road, Mercedes driver Farhan Ghanty approached me from behind at 45 mph, engaged the self-drive function of the E-Class luxury car, and took his hands off the wheel. It was December 4, 2017; BikeWalk NC Director Lisa Riegel and I were attending an autonomous vehicle demonstration held … [Read more...]

September 9, 2016

Ann Groninger on the Importance of UM/UIM Coverage

Ann Groninger of Bike Law North Carolina provides her insights into the value of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for bicyclists. PLEASE DO THIS RIGHT NOW – 100% MUST HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BICYCLISTS Guest Post by Ann Groninger For at least the past ten years, in group talks, blogs and social media posts, I have been talking about uninsured and underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage for North Carolina bicyclists. Recently Bike Law published this very well laid out article written by Bike Law’s Maine attorney, again urging all bicyclists to increase UM and UIM coverage: … [Read more...]

February 26, 2016

How to Pass a Bicyclist

Motor vehicle drivers pass bicyclists safely countless times every day. When done improperly, however, the results can be tragic. Some drivers say that they are unsure of what to do when they encounter bicyclists on the road ahead. It's therefore important to increase public awareness of how to pass a bicyclist safely. Safe passing of a bicyclist on ordinary roads requires following three simple steps: 1. Slow Down. 2. Look and Wait until Safe. 3. Change Lanes to Pass. Let's look at each step in detail: 1. Slow Down Your first responsibility as a driver is to not hit other … [Read more...]

February 20, 2016

Critical Mind Share

A chicken-and-egg relationship exists between common public beliefs and the interpretation of laws. For bicyclists, our legal right to the road may hinge on the prevailing concept of operations for marked travel lanes. Bicyclist advocates and safety instructors hold a concept of operations where other drivers change lanes to pass bicyclists safely, and where it is reasonable or even recommended for a bicyclist to ride in a lane position that makes it visibly clear that same-lane passing is not viable. Some motoring advocates, however, hold a concept of operations where motorists pass … [Read more...]