View
1
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
stops as yieldssafety and effects of the idaho law
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
historyNoteworthy Timeline:
• Late 1800s BICYCLE BOOM
• 1914 Mass Production of Automobiles rockets, Detroit
• 1915 First stop sign (Detroit, Michigan)
• 1920s First Interconnected Traffic Signal Systems (automatic red lights)
• 1935 First Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
• 1970s Modern Bicycle Laws (bikes held to subset of motor vehicle laws → UVC)
• “Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of
the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the
driver of a vehicle…EXCEPT”
• Stop signs used as traffic calming (“unwarranted”) in US and Canada
• Europe retains frequent use of yielding rather than stopping
• 1982 Idaho passes statewide exception for bicyclists:
stop sign as yield sign
stop LIGHT as stop sign (straight through & left turns)
- Right turn on red as yield sign
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
IMPORTANT
The Idaho Law
does not change
Right of Way Rules.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
IMPORTANT
A Cyclist is Not Allowed
To be Reckless
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
IMPORTANT
All Cyclists Are Still Required
to STOP for Safety
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
IMPORTANT
The Difference is,
if it’s Your Turn,
and Safe to do so,
You May Roll Through!
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
history
TITLE 49
MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 7
PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES
49-720. STOPPING -- TURN AND STOP SIGNALS. (1) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle
approaching a stop sign shall slow down and, if required for safety, stop before entering the
intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to
any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an
immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of
highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if
required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.
(2) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a steady red traffic control light
shall stop before entering the intersection and shall yield to all other traffic. Once the person has
yielded, he may proceed through the steady red light with caution. Provided however, that a person
after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a
right-hand turn. A left-hand turn onto a one-way highway may be made on a red light after stopping
and yielding to other traffic.
Source: http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title49/T49CH7SECT49-720.htm
Source: http://www.velorution.biz/images/Velorution%20-%20Yield%20sign%20held%20by%20girls%20small.jpg
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
NEWS FLASH
WARRANTS (safety criteria) for stop signs and signals
never considered bicyclists
Many stops were in fact purchased and placed by Automobile Clubs
Source: Bob Shanteau
history
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
MOREOVER:
Traffic signals and stop signs have many deleterious effects.
• Increased speeding and severity of collisions
• Increased Air Pollution
• Increased Noise Pollution
• Huge costs in wear and tear on roads and vehicles
• Large costs to install and maintain
• Approximately 40% of collisions in USA occur at signals
• Intended to maximize throughput, not safety
“The purpose of the boulevard stop regulation is
to expedite the movement of traffic on certain streets
of major importance, and to this end places an
obligation on all person entering such streets to do so
in an especially cautious manner.”
– 1925 book, Street Traffic Control by Miller McClintock
history
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
reality checkWhich of these travelers is required to stop at stop signs?
• Electric wheelchair rider
• Inline skater
• Skateboarder
• Segway rider
• Runner
Answer: NONE!
• In California, and many other places, all are considered pedestrians
• Yet they can reach speeds comparable to bicycling (15+ MPH)
• AND are less able to anticipate and avoid collision at speed, than bicyclists
• Reduced ability to make evasive maneuvers (stopping/turning)
Inline skaters were found to need roughly 30-50 feet to stop when approaching a stop sign
from a speed of 7-13 MPH across all skill levels
• Reduced ability to hear and see
• Reduced ability to be seen
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
reality check
Source: http://johnnyscreepshow.blogspot.ca/
Source: shanghaiexpat.com
Source: http://t3.gstatic.com/
NOT REQUIRED
TO STOP!
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
reality check
What if bicyclists used pedestrian powers to have same privileges?
• Pick up bike and rotate to join cross traffic, make left turn (bypass signal)
• Jump off bike momentarily to cross limit line
• Walk a few feet to make right on red (where prohibited, e.g., France)
Source: http://www.holnesslawgroup.com/
Legal, yet safer than riding?
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
arguments forMany everyday bicyclists support this designation. They argue:
• A bicycle is a hybrid between car and pedestrian;
- pedestrians (including runners and people using wheelchairs) don’t have to stop, and can travel just as fast with lower visibility and lower maneuverability;
- Motorists usually don’t stop either, but present more risk & do more damage;
- Bicyclists take the big risk and are better able to identify and avoid danger
– Better sensory awareness (hearing, seeing, vibration)
– Travel speeds are slower
– Choosing speed to take intersection enhances safety and mobility
• The Idaho Law promotes bicycling;
- The energy to stop and start is very significant;
- The law codifies existing behavior, so would reduce penalization and resentment
- Tethering bicycles to motor vehicle rules is bicycle inferiority complex and squanders the energy and versatility benefits of bicycling; allow bicycling its full glory
• Signs and signals are an imposition of motor vehicle dominance.
- Walkers and bikers wait at expensive signals designed to maximize motor throughput
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
arguments againstSome, notably Vehicular Cyclists, oppose this designation.
They argue:
“Bicyclists fare best when they act as and are treated as vehicles”
- Slippery slope when treated differently; will lose rights (based on important history);
- Respect from the public comes from being law-abiding.
– (Laws can be changed.)
Some cyclists and non-cyclists alike express safety concerns
• Won’t this promote dangerous behavior?
• Won’t people get in more crashes?
• What about the children?
“Won’t drivers be more angry at cyclists?”
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
children?A primary concern is that of child safety.
• Children are in the highest risk group.
• Does a law change child behavior?
• In Idaho, children are taught to stop at signs
- Studies support that instruction and parental rules are the deciding factor
– Increases awareness
– Changes behavior (compliance)
– Reduces injury
- Supervision is key with or
without the law
Netherlands, cyclists MUCH safer,
begin educating in kindergarten.
(Pucher, 2002)Source: www.bikearlington.com/cImg/rodeo12.jpg
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
“Kurt’s Family,” http://www.biketreasurevalley.org/node/136
Children on bikes are a high risk group, but this is because of training, supervision, and
the inherent dangers of traffic, not stopping laws (e.g., many child injuries occur midblock
when a child exits a driveway). Age adjustments are one of the most important issues in
comparing places.
A stops as yields law could be specified for those above a certain age, e.g., age 16 and above,
just as helmet laws are often for minors or age 16 and below.
a boise family
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
scofflaws and societyNoncompliance is a political hot potato.
Frequently cited by opponents of bicycle facilities
Cyclists stigmatized as “Anarchist Scofflaws”
In reality, motorist noncompliance is much bigger public safety problem:
• Stop signs
• Red lights
• Turn signals
• Speeding
• Drinking and driving
• Hit and run
• Violating pedestrian ROW
• Etc.
Would legalization help usher in a cycling society?
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
scofflaws and society
Animosity, discrimination, violence.
Portland, Oregon:
Tripwire was placed across intersection aimed at cyclists
Driver attacks cyclist for treating red light as yield (news report)
Virginia:
Father riding with son shot and killed for rolling stop
Widespread Police Bias:
Misperception that cyclists are always at fault, influences reports.
Critical Mass events:
Many incidents aimed at cyclists
Would legalization create MORE GOODWILL on the road?
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
hypocrisy unveiledExamples of laws relaxed for motorists contrary to public safety:
Speed limits.
Speed limits have increased by up to 63% (from 55 MPH to 90 MPH) since the
energy crisis measures of the 1970s
In California, speeders set the speed limit (85th percentile rule).
Severity of killing someone while driving.
Originally charged as murder, now penalties small and frequently uncited.
In contrast, the Idaho Law should save lives and save oil,
unlike the above examples.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
study design #1Compare Idaho’s places:
• With places that don’t have the rule
- Borders 6 states, 1 Canadian province
• Match on:
- Population:
– Size and density
– Percent bicycling (by age, gender, SES, etc.)
- Land use
- Bicycle friendliness:
– Facilities
– Culture
- Climate:
– Temperature
– Precipitation
- Geography:
– Topography
– Altitude
Source: google maps, terrain view, accessed May 3, 2008
Population 42,000;
Bronze star from LAB
(engineering)
Population 204,027;
No bicycle-friendly
designation found (2008).
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
BoiseUnique environment, hard to match,
but supportive & some data exists:
• Census: 1.65% bike to work
• Altitude: 2800 ft. (high desert)
• Density: 2913.1/sq mi.
• Bicycle culture: YES!
- Boise Bike Week
- Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance
- Scenic Cycling is Nearby (SPIN)
- Boise State Community Bicycle Congress
- CommuterRide (County)
- Boise Bicycle Project
- Not much bike theft?
Source: google maps, terrain view, accessed May 3, 2008
Garren. 2007.5th and Grove Sts. www.flickr.com/photos/ecosnake/360132530/
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
smaller townsCoeur d’Alene:
Pop. 42,000
• Also unique in many ways:
- Similar issues as Boise
- LAB Bronze star, Engineering
- Geographic barriers
• Is there a good match?
Source: google maps, terrain view, accessed May 3, 2008
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
little placesPullman, Washington & Moscow, Idaho pair nicely :
• Both are college towns, similar sizes, although Pullman is more hilly
• Unfortunately, neither keeps collision records
- Public records act request would take months
• Border town concern: does proximity negate effects of law?
Source: google maps, map view, accessed May 3, 2008
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
little placesPullman, Washington & Moscow, Idaho pair nicely :
• Both are college towns, similar sizes, although Pullman is more hilly
• Unfortunately, neither keeps collision records
- Public records act request would take months
• Border town concern: does proximity negate effects of law?
Source: google maps, map view, accessed May 3, 2008
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
little placesPullman, Washington & Moscow, Idaho pair nicely :
• Both are college towns, similar sizes, although Pullman is more hilly
• Unfortunately, neither keeps collision records
- Public records act request would take months
• Border town concern: does proximity negate effects of law?
Source: google maps, map view, accessed May 3, 2008
Source: http://pedals2people.org/blog/blogs/p2p/archive/2007/09.aspx,
accessed May 3, 2008
Village Bicycle Project
is based in Moscow
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
methodology
Differences between places:
Data?
Observations?
Urban form?
Culture?
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
comparing behaviorVideo analysis, comparable intersections:
• Bicycle rates
• Amount of compliance
• Level of Risk
- Safe to Dangerous continuum
- Validate!
– Correlates to injury rates?
Source: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BICYCLE LANES VERSUS
WIDE CURB LANES: FINAL REPOR. William W. Hunter, J. Richard
Stewart, Jane C. Stutts, Herman H. Huang, and Wayne E.
1999, FHWA-RD-99–034, Federal Highway Administration, McLean, VA
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
getting the goodsData Approach:
• Rates of bicycle injuries and fatalities?
- Data scarce and incompatible
- Must differentiate children from adults
Observational Approach:
• Video of behavior:
- How risky? How often?
- Drivers too.
• Conduct surveys?
Of interest:
• More or less likely to use a bicycle?
• Motorists more or less aware?
- Adaptation has been seen elsewhere
Source: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BICYCLE LANES VERSUS
WIDE CURB LANES: FINAL REPOR. William W. Hunter, J. Richard
Stewart, Jane C. Stutts, Herman H. Huang, and Wayne E.
1999, FHWA-RD-99–034, Federal Highway Administration, McLean, VA
2.27X SAFER!?
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
getting the goodsData Approach:
• Rates of bicycle injuries and fatalities?
- Data scarce and incompatible
- Must differentiate children from adults
Observational Approach:
• Video of behavior:
- How risky? How often?
- Drivers too.
• Conduct surveys?
Of interest:
• More or less likely to use a bicycle?
• Motorists more or less aware?
- Adaptation has been seen elsewhere
Source: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BICYCLE LANES VERSUS
WIDE CURB LANES: FINAL REPOR. William W. Hunter, J. Richard
Stewart, Jane C. Stutts, Herman H. Huang, and Wayne E.
1999, FHWA-RD-99–034, Federal Highway Administration, McLean, VA
“In Gainesville…many bicyclists
ran stop signs, but … motor
vehicles had adapted to this
behavior and crash risk was
minimal.” – Hunter et al.
2.27X SAFER!?
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
CLIMATES
Source: http://www.eldoradocountyweather.com/current/climate/us-city-climates.html
BAKERSFIELD BOISE SACRAMENTO
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
sacramento v. boise: capitals compared
BOISE
185,787
104,591
1.56%
103 to 127
39,078 (21.03%)
17.4%
2913.1/sq mi. (69%)
2800 ft
0.0630 to 0.0776
0.000
2000 Census/SWITRS,
1999 IDAHO
Population
Workforce (>16 years)
% Bicycling to work
Bicycle Injuries 2000
Population under 15
% Higher Education
Population Density
Elevation
Injury-Commute Ratio
Fatality-Commute Ratio
SACRAMENTO
407,018
166,419
1.35%
225
93,395 (22.95%)
19.8%
4189.25/sq. mile
<200 ft
0.1012
0.0016
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
bakersfield v. boise: compared
BOISE
185,787
104,591
1.56%
103 to 127
39,078 (21.03%)
17.4%
2,913.1/sq mi.
2800 ft
0.0660 to 0.0880
0.000
2000 Census/SWITRS,
2000 IDAHO
Population
Workforce (>16 years)
% Bicycling to work
Bicycle Injuries 2000
Population under 15
% Higher Education
Population Density
Elevation
Injury-Commute Ratio
Fatality-Commute Ratio
BAKERSFIELD
247,057
99,769
0.53% (1/3)
84
68,023 (27.53%)
8.8%
2,184.4/sq mi (75%)
400 ft
0.1591
0.0019
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
data challenges, study #1ACS limitation: cannot use
• lumps taxi rides and motorcycle rides with bicycling in their “other” category.
• I wrote them to request & emphasize importance (for Census 2010 too!)
- And now it’s being scrapped!
SWITRS report limitations:
• Injury is one category (does not match Idaho KABCO scale)
• No age data by city
- California, roughly 25% of injuries are under 16 years (SWITRS, 2002-2006).
- In 2006, under 15 made up 10.3% of fatalities and 20.7% of injuries.
• Begins in 2000, so no 1999 exact comparison; also, delete after 10 years (!?)
Idaho data limitations:
• Fault and who suffered injury not specified (assume bicyclist, most severely)
General limitations:
• how does police classification of failure to yield differ?
• Are we sure both ignore bicycle-only collisions? (Evidently.)
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
simple ecological studyComparing cities by Census and reported collisions:Limitations: too many to mention.
Source: ACS 2006. http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/SQuest05.pdf
BUT CENSUS WAS THE BEST
AVAILABLE MEASURE OF AMOUNT
OF CYCLING.
Like a taxi with your (motor?) bike?
(Am. Comm. Survey was unusable
--- And now it’s going away!)
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
Boise supportive
Idaho OHS very supportive:
• GIS datasets:
- Roads
- Bike routes (recent bicycle plan)
- Signals, but no stop signs
- Some bike counts
- Collision database NOT geocoded
• Collisions: Excel for 1997 on
• Can hand-codify records back to 1987
- Unfortunately, there’s nothing around 1982
for longitudinal analysis
BUT WE HAVE MICROFILM!
HOWEVER, YOU MUST COME IN TO
THE OFFICE…
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
Legislative History
OHS Records
Interviews
Test Intercept Survey (n=100)
Test Video Observations
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
Microfilm proved impossible
Would take months to analyze
Difficult to read
Would not be determinative
(small sample, few years, and
yielding injuries a small percent)
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
Fortunately there was a small
archive of old reports.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
Discoveries in the archives include:
Bicycle injuries declined 14.5% the year after implementation.
Overall bicycle injury trend 1976-1984 (before and after) “remained
constant”.
Motorcycle fatalities were similar to national.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
Test Video Observations at four locations (June 2008)
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
Legislative History was a bit convoluted…
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
One letter expressed the concern for children.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
a trip to boise
Concern was cleared due to effective date in future.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
implications of adoptionApart from safety issues, what would be the effect of massive implementation of the Idaho Law? Predicting:
Fault and Citations avoided:
• Bicyclists are more protected by law
Energy saved!
Bicycling increases!
Pollution reduced!
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
additional evidence
“Proper yielding prevents crashes; stopping and
proceeding without yielding does not. A study by
the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found
that 70 percent of crashes that occurred at one-
and two-way stop signs involved stop sign
violations, but in two thirds of these cases,
the driver did stop; the crash occurred when the
driver then proceeded without yielding.”
-Florida Police Directive
Reduce “You go No YOU go” conflicts
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
additional evidence
Mandatory Stopping inhibits conflict avoidance:
Most incidents occur at intersections.
Cyclists have a major incentive to be safe in motion.
Cyclists have more options when in motion.
Clearing intersections when the danger minimized is imperative.
With the Idaho Law:
Cyclists are now safer because they
may choose when it’s safest to proceed.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
additional evidence
London women killed for stopping:
Women in London were over thrice as likely to be killed by trucks than men
despite comprising only a quarter of cyclists there. A 2007 report by
Transport for London found a similar disparity over 1999-2004, finding:
Women more at risk
“because they are less likely than men
to disobey red lights“
- Tran, M. Women Cyclists 'at Greater Risk from Lorry Deaths'. The Guardian, Vol. UK news, 2010.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
additional evidence
Perception differs:
Drivers have delayed response to cyclists,
lead to a decreased probability of their
stopping in time when the bicyclist is at risk.Walker, I. Signals are Informative but Slow Down Responses when Drivers Meet Bicyclists at Road
42 Junctions. Accident; Analysis and Prevention, Vol. 37, No. 6, 2005, pp. 1074-1085.
Motorist rideout was about 60% more likely than
bicyclists to cause bicycle injury crashesWilliam W. Hunter, J. Richard Stewart, Jane C. Stutts, Herman H. Huang, and Wayne E. Pein. A
47 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BICYCLE LANES VERSUS WIDE CURB LANES: FINAL REPORT.
48 FHWA-RD-99–034, Federal Highway Administration, McLean, VA, 1999.
“You go! No YOU go! Oh we BOTH go!”
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
pollution exposure is increased
Air pollution increases at intersections.
Cyclists are particularly at risk due to heavier and
deeper breathing during exercise.
Int Panis, L., B. de Geus, G. Vandenbulcke, H. Willems, B. Degraeuwe, N. Bleux, V. Mishra, I. Thomas, and
R. Meeusen. Exposure to Particulate Matter in Traffic: A Comparison of Cyclists and Car Passengers.
Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 44, No. 19, 2010, pp. 2263-2270.
Kaur, S., M. Nieuwenhuijsen, and R. Colvile. Personal Exposure of Street Canyon Intersection Users to
PM2.5, Ultrafine Particle Counts and Carbon Monoxide in Central London, UK. Atmospheric Environment,
Vol. 39, No. 20, 2005, pp. 3629-3641.
Beatrice, B., F. Petrucci, A. Alimonti, and S. Caroli. Traffic-Related Platinum and Rhodium Concentrations in
the Atmosphere of Rome. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, Vol. 5, No. 4, 2003, pp. 563-8.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
additional evidence
The effect of long-distance bicycling on ulnar and
median nerves: an electrophysiologic evaluation of
cyclist palsy. Akuthota, et al. 2005. American
Journal of Sports Medicine.
Stopping causes injury:
One large sports study (n=1638) found 28% of
acute injuries involved “difficulty stopping or
starting a bicycle or going too slow to maintain
balance, including inability to detach from toe clips.”
Dannenberg, A. L., S. Needle, D. Mullady, and K. B. Kolodner.
Predictors of Injury among 1638 Riders in a Recreational Long-Distance
Bicycle Tour: Cycle Across Maryland.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol. 24, No. 6, pp. 747-753.
Stress Injuries: a hard stop, and the subsequent resuming
of speed from a hard stop, involves considerable strain on
joints, particularly the wrists and knees but also the shoulders,
elbows, neck and low back. The wrist suffers strain under
vibration, flexion and torsion during hard stops.
Results include “cyclist palsy”, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,
ulnar neuropathy, and other related injuries.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
stops discourage & reduce cycling
UC Berkeley physicist Joel Fajans calculated one spends five times
the energy to maintain speed with frequent stops, an unattainable
effort; thus “bicyclists on roads with stops signs must slow dramatically,”
multiplying travel times.Fajans, J., and M. Curry. Why Bicyclists Hate Stop Signs. Access, No. 18, 2001, pp. 28-31.
In a recent Texas-based study, a route preference survey found
avoiding frequent stops was of great import, second only to
avoiding “heavy traffic”. Avoiding “high speed limits” was third and far
above the rest of the 19 categories. Sener, I. N., N. Eluru, and C. R. Bhat. An Analysis of Bicycle Route Choice Preferences in Texas, US.
Transportation, Vol. 36, No. 5, 2009; 2009, pp. 511 <last_page> 539.
In another study, Rietveld found 0.3 fewer stops per km along a route
meant a 4.9% higher share of bicycling.Rietveld, P., and V. Daniel. Determinants of Bicycle use: Do Municipal Policies Matter? Transportation
Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Vol. 38, No. 7, 2004, pp. 531 <last_page> 550.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
stops discourage & reduce cycling
If bicycling decreases, cyclists are injured more
Jacobsen’s landmark Safety in Numbers study found reported injuries
inversely proportional to roughly the 0.4 power of the amount of
walking or bicycling, “consistent across geographic areas, from
specific intersections to cities and countries”.Rietveld, P., and V. Daniel. Determinants of Bicycle use: Do Municipal Policies Matter? Transportation
Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Vol. 38, No. 7, 2004, pp. 531 <last_page> 550.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
health impact assessment perspective
If mandatory stopping discourages cycling, we lose the many
benefits of cycling, some of which can be quantified, e.g.:
1. Safety in Numbers:
Using Jacobsen’s finding with Rietveld’s, a free-flow route adds 164%
more cyclists, for 2.64 times more cycling, nearly halving each
cyclist’s risk of injury. This found for the case of reducing stops frequency to
2.4 stops/km (3.84/mi) rather than 12.4. Applying Jacobsen’s finding, such a
cycling increase is thus expected to improve the relative risk per cyclist to
0.55 times the previous risk.
2. Greenhouse gas and other emissions increase
3. Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT)
A new online tool provides for calculating the expected loss of life (all
cause mortality) and its economic value over time.
http://heatwalkingcycling.org/
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
trend towards liberty
Sign in Köpenick, Berlin. Source: Jason Meggs
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
trend towards liberty
Sign in Köpenick, Berlin. Source: Jason Meggs
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
allowing counterflow riding
Downtown Boise, Idaho, 26 Jun 2008. Source: Jason Meggs
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
allowing counterflow riding
Gdańsk, Poland, June 2012. Source: Jason Meggs
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
allowing counterflow riding
Bicyclists allowed to ride counterflow in Paris, France, May 2012. Source: Jason Meggs
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
paris relaxes red light rule
Turning right? When?
Cyclist waiting to turn right in Paris, France, May 2012. Source: Jason Meggs
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
paris relaxes red light rule
Still waiting?
Cyclist waiting for a long time, to turn right in Paris, France, May 2012. Source: Jason Meggs
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
paris relaxes red light rule
Cyclist finally turns right on green light in Paris, France, May 2012. Source: Jason Meggs
Finally turns after waiting
for minutes – just a short
distance into a bicycle lane.
As a pedestrian, could have
walked a few meters and
entered off the curb.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
paris relaxes red light rule
France required extensive studies and testing
before allowing this very new change. (Belgium
is following and Denmark is in process as well.)
Advocates had hoped that signs would only be used
for intersections deemed too dangerous, but now
signs must placed everywhere just to allow.
(In many other places, cyclists have long had the
privilege of right turn on red.)
Are such studies needed for Idaho Law?
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
non-detections exemption
Source: http://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/wiki/dutch-cycle-because-strict-liability-made-everybody-drive-safely-and-play-nice
Numerous U.S. states now allow bicyclists
and/or motorcyclists to pass through a
red light if the light will not change for them
(failure to detect).
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
Netherlands fault rule
Source: http://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/wiki/dutch-cycle-because-strict-liability-made-everybody-drive-safely-and-play-nice
“Strict liability” in the Netherlands
Motorist at fault by default until proven otherwise.
Considered to have created much safer behavior.
Aggressive driving is a principle killer on the roads.
Related to Vulnerable Users Laws in USA,
pioneered by champion of Idaho Law in Oregon,
attorney Ray Thomas.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
alternative design solutions
Yielding can be accomplished even for high levels of traffic.
Traffic circlesrecommended for bicycle intersections (e.g., Berkeley Bike Boulevards)
Roundabouts
used for high volumes of motor vehicles, many benefits over signals
Traffic Calmed Zones/Shared Space
successful in Europe, an entire area declared a slow zone, all stops removed
Traffic calming goals through better means.
Less expensive in total analysis
Better for residents
stop signs cheap to install, but impose huge costs, plus air and noise pollution
New Signage Options
“Except Bicycles”
Yield sign for bikes
Source: endlesslove.blogspot.com
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
alternative design solutionsShared Space.
Trend in Europe, with experiments in North America: remove all signage
Idea of safety through uncertainty.
•Growing number of examples, many good reports
•Concerns voiced for people w/disabilities and re: aggressive drivers
Bypass or give exceptions:
•Create path behind stop sign to bypass stop for bikes (like avoiding transit stop)
•New signage (“bikes free” or “bikes yield” added to stop sign)
•Create stop-sign free “wiggle routes” esp. if follow natural path (lowest grade)
•Place bike-permeable barriers (e.g., Bike Boulevards) periodically
Minimize bike route delays at red lights
•Stop signs, not light, for cross-traffic to signals, means freedom & less waiting
seen often in Vancouver. A cyclist who needs the help of a light still gets it,
but a cyclist who wants to go does not have to wait
•Turn off signals or set them to blinking on bike routes, detector can trigger crossing
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
alternative design solutions
Bicycle Roundabout in Davis, California handles continous flows. Source: http://www.hr.ucdavis.edu/
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
Stop Sign effective when signal off at night.
Gdańsk, Poland, June 2012. Source: Jason Meggs
variants on stop signs
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
variants on stop signs
Downtown Boise, Idaho. Source: Jason Meggs
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
variants on stop signs
Missoula, Montana. Source: Jason Meggs
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
adoption inevitableAcross the United States, discussions and initiatives are growing:
Examples:
Oregon (repeated serious efforts)
Virginia
Arizona
Utah
California
Washington, D.C.
And more.
Support is available for any legislative initiative.
Initial adoption likely only state-by-state.
National policy in USA too slow and too unresponsive.
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
letters of support for oregon bill
(excerpt)
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
letters of support for oregon bill
(excerpt)
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
letters of support for oregon bill
(letter continued)
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
letters of support for oregon bill
(letter continued)
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
AND THERE’S MORE!!!
..MUCH MORE…
Jason Meggs: Idaho Law Inquiry. Velo-City Global 2012. Vancouver, BC, Canada. June 26, 2012
thank you
Jason Meggs
Phone: (510) 725-9991
Email: jmeggs@berkeley.edu
Materials available at MeggsReport.COM
…please let me know of any legislative effort.
Recommended