Comments on: Berlin has a better idea! http://ribike.org/2008/05/19/berlin-has-a-better-idea Working to make cycling in the Ocean State safer and more enjoyable for YOU Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:41:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mark http://ribike.org/2008/05/19/berlin-has-a-better-idea/comment-page-1#comment-539 Mark Tue, 20 May 2008 00:15:41 +0000 http://bikeprovidence.org/?p=176#comment-539 It's true that the layout of the typical town/city in America is more spread out than many European cities, but I still feel we can make dramatic differences in how people see public and alternative transportation in the US. With our current infrastructure catering primarily to cars, it's not surprising that so few people are willing to abandon their personal vehicles. There are changes we could make though, let's take a look at Rhode Island. If we could get to a point where people could make it to and from work faster on public transportation than their personal cars, I think we would see more people choosing that option. How can we do this? Well for starters, let's dedicate a lane on 195 and 95 to high occupancy vehicles (HOV)! This will reward the people who carpool and ride buses, allowing those groups to cruise past the traffic jams. I know, what I'm proposing is equivalent to asking some lawmakers to commit political suicide. However, I think the time has come to finally take some bold initiatives. On the bicycle front, unless traffic becomes completely unbearable, it's going to be next to impossible to get longer commutes to be faster by bicycle than a private automobile. However, we can certainly make a difference over short commutes. Cyclists need to feel safe, it's particularly important for people just starting to ride again and I think this is one of the areas where we can make the biggest impact. It would be great to see the state make a significant investment in user education through a share-the-road campaign, adding information about cyclists to the driver manuals, and an education program for cyclists. It’s true that the layout of the typical town/city in America is more spread out than many European cities, but I still feel we can make dramatic differences in how people see public and alternative transportation in the US. With our current infrastructure catering primarily to cars, it’s not surprising that so few people are willing to abandon their personal vehicles.

There are changes we could make though, let’s take a look at Rhode Island. If we could get to a point where people could make it to and from work faster on public transportation than their personal cars, I think we would see more people choosing that option. How can we do this? Well for starters, let’s dedicate a lane on 195 and 95 to high occupancy vehicles (HOV)! This will reward the people who carpool and ride buses, allowing those groups to cruise past the traffic jams. I know, what I’m proposing is equivalent to asking some lawmakers to commit political suicide. However, I think the time has come to finally take some bold initiatives.

On the bicycle front, unless traffic becomes completely unbearable, it’s going to be next to impossible to get longer commutes to be faster by bicycle than a private automobile. However, we can certainly make a difference over short commutes. Cyclists need to feel safe, it’s particularly important for people just starting to ride again and I think this is one of the areas where we can make the biggest impact. It would be great to see the state make a significant investment in user education through a share-the-road campaign, adding information about cyclists to the driver manuals, and an education program for cyclists.

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