Yearly Archives: 2012

It’s Not The Vehicle Type, It’s Order On The Roads

  The title of this post says it all: It’s not the vehicle type that counts, it’s order on the roads. Traffic laws are not designed to control a particular type of vehicle, they are designed to create order and … Continue reading

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Cyclists Who Eschew Traffic Laws

  One of the interesting things about being a blogger is seeing reader reactions to what I’ve written. Instant feedback makes blogging different from other forms of writing where words are put out in printed or electronic form for readers … Continue reading

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If Kant Were A New York Cyclist, He Would Conform To The Concept Of The Red Light

What do you get when you mix a pseudo-ethicist with a mainstream media pulpit? A law breaking cyclist who makes blind assertions about how breaking the law is “ethical.“ As a general rule, legitimate ethicists do not write fluffy articles … Continue reading

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Name Brand Bicycling Philosophies

  Contrary to my usual habit, I recently decided to peruse The New York Times’ Sunday Book Review section. I generally don’t read their reviews due to a lack of interest in the type of books they review. However, as … Continue reading

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Does Olympic Road Cycling Help Or Hurt Mainstream Cycling?

  The summer Olympics is upon us again. I wish I could say it only seems like yesterday since the last Olympics. But, honestly, it seems like an eternity has passed between these events. Unlike many Olympic fans, I am … Continue reading

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Bicyclist, Biker Or Cyclist: What’s In A Name?

  Bicyclist, biker, or cyclist. Are these descriptive names or are they examples of pigeonholing? A reader recently brought this interesting question to my attention. He had seen a letter to the editor in The Washington Post where the author … Continue reading

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Waiting Is Part Of Sharing The Road

  All one has to do is drive in and around a major city to see that bicycling is taking off in America. Some places have more cyclists than others, and cities vary in how much they’ve invested in bicycling … Continue reading

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Should Cycle Paths Look More Like Automobile Freeways?

  In many parts of the world, city planners are looking for ways to get more people on bicycles. Each country has specific reasons for wanting to increase bicycle use, but most share certain things in common. Traffic congestion is … Continue reading

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Smart Cities, Dumb Burbs

I don’t remember exactly when it started, but at some point in recent history, cities started getting smarter and suburbs started getting dumber. It began when city planners decided to revitalize urban areas, which, in many cities, had fallen into … Continue reading

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Does The Public See Cycling Without A Helmet As Analogous To Drunk Driving?

  Whenever a cyclist is hit by a car, the first question everyone asks is: “Was he wearing a helmet?” This is always asked in an accusatory tone, as if to imply guilt on the part of the cyclist for … Continue reading

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