a midway bikelog

Some compelling evidence from NYC that more bicycles on the streets makes it safer for all cyclists. More of the story and some good discussion going on at Streetsblog.org, graph from transalt.org.

This video of traffic in India is worth a look while thinking of traffic alternatives. It looks like total chaos, but notice that despite the lack of a western-style, strictly-controlled intersection, traffic is actually moving pretty well. There’s a good mix of autos, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and pedestrians on the road, and nobody’s getting run down or pushed off the road. Drivers seem to be more cautious, and all road users looking out for each other. The top speed is slower, but i’ll bet the overall travel time isn’t that much different because the intersection is in constant motion as dictated by the traffic flow. Going a little slower allows everyone to be more aware of their neighbors, and negotiate their way through or across (or upstream, as one car does toward the end). I imagine that driving there would make most Americans utterly lose their shit.