Traffic Taboo: Law Enforcement’s Key Role in

Bicyclist Safety

Presentation by Mighk Wilson to Florida CTST Coalition, July 14, 2008

Taboo:

1. Proscribed by society as improper or unacceptable

2. A prohibition or interdiction of anything; exclusion from use or practice

3. To ostracize (a person, group, etc.)

Perception Says: “It may be legal, but it’s stupid!”

Sharing the Roadway With Bicyclists and Pedestrians: FSU Driver Attitudes Survey for FDOT

“It is widely perceived by 81% of respondents that driving in mixed traffic conditions, where bicyclists and motor vehicles share the roadway, is hazardous and unsafe.

Of these, about half (47%) feel strongly this to be the case.”

Sharing the Roadway With Bicyclists and Pedestrians: FSU Driver Attitudes Survey for FDOT

“Bicycles and motorized vehicles sharing a roadway is a prescription for disaster. On the other hand, I applaud those who are trying to save energy or to exercise by riding a bike. They need separate roadways.”

Sharing the Roadway With Bicyclists and Pedestrians: FSU Driver Attitudes Survey for FDOT

“Extreme danger when cars and bikes share same roads … people can and will continue to get hurt … should be clearly separated … nothing against bikes … just not mixed … makes no sense and [I] would never let my family ride on roads used by cars.”

Sharing the Roadway With Bicyclists and Pedestrians: FSU Driver Attitudes Survey for FDOT

“Roads were built for autos. Mixing pedestrians and bikes with cars is a recipe for disaster. The disaster happens to all. If a driver hits a pedestrian or bicyclist, the latter usually dies or is severely injured and the driver gets sued. Keep them out.”

The Core of the Problem

Motorist attitudes about bicyclists using roadways and taking assertive lane positions are seriously at odds with proven and long-established bicyclist education programs and strategies.

Data Says: Not only legal, but the safest way to ride.

Data Says:

Percentage of motorist/bicyclist crashes involving sober, law-abiding roadway cyclists = 8%

Percent of daytime crashes involving overtaking motorists = 2%

Percent of daytime crashes involving sober, law abiding sidewalk cyclists = 24%

Source: Metroplan Orlando, “Orlando Area Bicyclist Crash Study”

Motorist/Cyclist Crashes:Where is the Cyclist?

Non-Roadway, 3% Sidewalk With

Traffic, 13%

Sidewalk Facing Traffic, 51%

Roadway With Traffic, 32%For

Motorist at Fault Crashes

Source: Metroplan Orlando, “Orlando Area Bicyclist Crash Study”

Crashes by Approach

Unknown/ Unusual, 11%

Head-On, 2%

Overtaking Motorist, 6%

Turning Conflicts, 13%

Crossing Conflicts, 68%

(Daytime Crashes)

F&I 12%

F&I 22%

Inc. 8%

F&I 10%

F&I = Fatal & Incapacitating Injuries

Source: Metroplan Orlando, “Orlando Area Bicyclist Crash Study”

Sidewalk Cycling Risks

Sidewalk Cycling Risks

Sidewalk Cycling Risks

Sidewalk Cycling Risks

Sidewalk Cycling Risks

Other Cyclist Sidewalk Risks

Poles (and support cables)SignpostsBenchesDrop-offsParked CarsTrash

Compared To?...

Fatalities per Million Exposure HoursSkydiving 128.71 Snowmobiling .88

General Flying 15.58 Motoring .47

Motorcycling 8.80 Water skiing .28

Scuba Diving 1.98 Bicycling .26

Living 1.53 Airline Flying .15

Swimming 1.07 Hunting .08Data compiled by Failure Analysis Associates, Inc.

Speed X Mass X Anger = Aggravated Speed X Mass X Anger = Aggravated AssaultAssault

(Or Worse)(Or Worse)

Sharing the Roadway With Bicyclists and Pedestrians: FSU Driver Attitudes Survey for FDOT

“A majority (68%) believes that most bicycle riders do so for recreation and not necessarily for transportation.”

36% believed bicyclists have no right or less right to use the road because “they do not pay gas taxes.”

Sharing the Roadway With Bicyclists and Pedestrians: FSU Driver Attitudes Survey for FDOT

“a large majority of drivers feel ‘Somewhat’ or ‘Highly Frustrated’ if they have to slow down to share the lane with bicyclists during rush hour traffic on busy avenues or arterials (80%)”

Sharing the Roadway With Bicyclists and Pedestrians: FSU Driver Attitudes Survey for FDOT

“I feel I am a very patient person on the road but some people riding bikes seem to not care about, for example, my car behind them. They tend to go slower or not stay toward their side and tend to go the middle when they should not.”

Sharing the Roadway With Bicyclists and Pedestrians: FSU Driver Attitudes Survey for FDOT

“It drives me crazy to see bikes taking up the entire road.”

Sharing Fast-Speed and Slow-Speed Roads with Bicyclists and PedestriansIvonne Audirac, Associate Professor, FSU

Sharing Fast-Speed and Slow-Speed Roads with Bicyclists and PedestriansIvonne Audirac, Associate Professor, FSU

“Roadway Bicycling is Dangerous”

“This Person is Irresponsible”

“This Person is In My Way”

Annoyance

Honking

Yelling

Using Vehicle to Threaten

(Aggravated Assault)

“Counts, But Not Counted”Significant Impact on Bicyclists

Honking

Yelling

Close Passing

Using Vehicle to Threaten

Hug the Curb

Move to Sidewalk

Wrong Way Cycling

Give Up Cycling

Ride in Large Groups

Motorist Harassment

Bicyclist Reaction

“Roadway Cycling is Safest”

“This Person is Responsible”

“This Person is Ahead of Me”

Annoyance

Honking

Yelling

Using Vehicle to Threaten

(Aggravated Assault)

Traffic Engineers?

Elected Officials?

Bicycling Advocates?

Bicycling “Experts”?

News Reporters?

Cops

Who Will He Listen To?

HB 3006

3-foot Passing Law, Plus…

A motorist who harasses a cyclist – unnecessary honking, yelling, throwing something — now faces misdemeanor charges

“This really is about the most American of themes — equality.” SC Gov. Mark Sanford

New South Carolina LawJune 2008

…with cops saying:

“Bicyclists are safest when they act and are treated as law-abiding drivers of vehicles.”

“Taking the Lane is permitted in many circumstances.”

Statewide Campaign Needed…

How do we make this happen?

Statewide Campaign Needed…