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...]
Historical Basis of Road Rights for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Advocates for motoring sometimes call for elimination of bicyclists or pedestrians from roadways, or for increased regulatory burdens to be placed on bicyclists (ostensibly to equal the expense of motoring regulations). Their argument often begins with the motoring-centric assumption that roads are for cars, and that because motoring on roadways is regulated as a privilege, then any use of roadways is also a privilege, and not a true right. Historically and legally speaking, however, this claim is inaccurate. Recognition of an individual’s basic right to travel on shared roads dates back … [Read more...]
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...]
Join with BikeWalk NC in writing the governor and state representatives to return funding for Active Transportation Projects and Programs.
March 2, 2019 Dear Governor Cooper and members of the North Carolina General Assembly, Help make North Carolina safe for active transportation and invest in roadway designs that benefit cyclists, pedestrians, and entire communities! Active transportation promotes economic development, benefits our physical and mental health, and fosters a clean, energy efficient environment.. In 2013 when the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) adopted its goals of implementing its "comprehensive statewide plan for improving bicycling and walking conditions across North Carolina", it … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
ACTION ALERT – CONTACT SENATOR BURR TODAY TO KEEP BIKE COMMUTER BENEFIT
ACTION ALERT from League of American Bicyclists: The Senate tax reform plan, released on Thursday, eliminates the bike commuter benefit while keeping commuter benefits for driving and riding transit! The Senate Finance committee plans to vote starting on Monday and an amendment is needed to reinstate the bike benefit. Senator BURR is one of the Senators on the Finance Committee who can take action and reinstate the bike benefit and we need your help to reach out to them this weekend. We need to move fast- and your help is critical! Please act this weekend - Ask Senator BURR to … [Read more...]
Bike/Ped Planning Grant Program Threatened
The Senate Budget passed last night, SB 257, contains a provision that would negatively impact the Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant program. Read the text of the provision here. The provision appears to require municipalities to return planning funding if any project identified in the application for planning grant funds are not built within 6 years. As you know the transportation program implementation timeframe is long, so even if a community had the funding, implementing within 6 years can be a stretch. These plans can be long range, and it could take more than six years to get … [Read more...]
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