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...]
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...]