From: Richard_Hennick@mindlink.bc.ca (Richard Hennick)
Subject: Re: A Quick Survey
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 20:28:34 GMT

Afraid I don't have access to the original message to properly post this
reply to; please forgive my breach of "netiquette":

> Do you cycle on roads at all?

Yes; in terms of mileage, almost exclusively so.

> Do you cycle on major roads at all?

Depends what you call "major"... but probably more than half of my miles.  I
live in Maple Ridge, which is a country town rapidly becoming a bedroom
suburb of Vancouver, and I have few or no choices of routes.

> Do you cycle on major roads (especially dual carriageways) outwith towns?

Laws don't permit bikes on full-blown freeways here; other than that, there
aren't any roads I wouldn't ride on if necessary.

> What do you think of the attitude of car (bus etc) drivers?

The majority of car drivers try to be careful and considerate (not always
succeeding); a few act as if they'd never seen a bicycle before, or else as
if I'm completely invisible.  In my experience, truck drivers are generally
very good; compared to car-drivers, they seem much more aware of the size of
their vehicle, and its potential for causing catastrophic harm.  I try to
respect their own needs, and I will also yield to buses if they are pulling
out, turning, etc.; professional drivers have a tough enough job already.

> Do you think cyclists get enough respect?

I think that depends in large part on the individual cyclists, their ability
to see themselves as others do (and to care about this), and the general
attitude they display towards other road-users and even pedestrians.

Homicidal maniacs in cars excepted, of course.

I've previously been a motorcyclist and a professional truck-driver, as well
as 25+ years driving cars, all of which has probably helped me to be a better
cyclist (I hope!).  Similarly, I'm sure car drivers behave much better
towards cyclists if they have done any serious riding themselves (i.e. not
wrong-way, not on sidewalks).

The trailer probably also helps in my case, partly because "there could be a
little kid in there!" and partly because it may indicate a more serious
rider, less likely to do stupid/unpredictable things.

> Do you feel safe cycling on roads?

Not particularly; there are some local examples of bad road design at which
one must be super-alert.  Being highly visible helps (I wear a dayglo orange
vest with reflectors at all times, in addition to the bright yellow trailer).
I have a brake light, and I signal my turns; turn-signal lights are the next
thing I'd like to add.

> Do you think enough is done to improve conditions for cyclists?

Locally, the authorities haven't even started (although I'm working on them).
In Vancouver (nearest big city) I gather they're doing quite a bit as budgets
allow.

> and how do you think this should be done (cycleways, cycle lanes, or what)?

Wider curb lanes (sometimes other places too, such as the through lanes at
merges and filters), rather than segregation.  Traffic lights which are also
operable by cyclists.  Education programs for cyclists and drivers.  Stricter
drivers-license tests.  Better law enforcement.

> What is your normal mode of transport?

Bike, occasionally car (evenings/weekends).  Unfortunately, the local bus
service is virtually useless for my needs.

> How do you transport your bike (when not actually cycling!)?

I don't.

> Are you a member of a cycle club or campaign group?

No.

> What do you think of current transport policy?

In this region (Lower Mainland of B.C.), talk is cheap.  But at least they're
talking.

> Do you think that bike carriage on trains is important?

In some places (e.g. Vancouver's Light Rapid Transit), sure.  Not around
here.

> What are the main uses of your bike?

Transporting self and child (to school).  Shopping.

> What sort of bike(s) do you have (mountain bike, recumbent, racer etc)?

Hybrid (MTB/road).  Also have a 5-speed mixte-frame and an early Raleigh
commuter (16-inch wheels, 3-speed), but rarely ride these.  Would like to try
a recumbent.

> What do you think of law-breaking cyclists?

They give other cyclists a bad name, and I'd like to see more prosecutions,
especially of parents teaching their kids to ride wrong-way!  (Someone else
suggested confiscation of the bike as a penalty for repeaters; I support
this, and would like to see a similar sanction applied to some law-breaking
car drivers too.)

But the prevalent North American attitude is that bikes are disposable toys,
not serious transportation, and the lack of responsible cycling behaviour -
and the design of many bikes - reflects this.  I learned to ride in England,
where the local police (also cyclists) came to the schools to teach the
Highway Code and safe cycling at an early age (do they still do this?).  I'd
like to see the same thing here; we do have some local cops on bicycles now.

> (And I suppose I have to ask) do you wear a helmet?

Always (while riding, anyway), and so does my kid in the trailer.

> I hope this hasn't bored anybody, and look forward to seeing some
> interesting answers.

You're welcome.  I've been intrigued to see the basic similarity of most of
the responses, from many different countries.  Regrettably, the intelligent
attitudes I've seen expressed do not seem to be typical of the general
population of cyclists over here.


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