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June 09, 2008

Cyclists and Pedestrians - An Uneasy Mix

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Posted in In Europe

Kreuzlingen - SwitzerlandPart of this week’s EcoWorldly cycling series: Cycling and its importance in countries around
the world.

A bicycle, I once read somewhere, is the most efficient form of human transport ever developed. Coupled with the fact that bicycles are relatively cheap and trouble free, and suffer few of the traffic problems that dog other forms of transport it’s no wonder that cycling has never been more popular.

But I’m starting to wonder if this popularity might start becoming a problem?

When the automobile was first invented, way back in the 18th century, it didn’t take long for a series of accidents to take place as drivers and pedestrians alike struggled to adapt to the idea that they were unevenly matched. The initial solution was the red flag, carried by a man walking in front of the car to warn any pedestrians or live-stock of the approaching danger.

Clearly impractical (and possibly sponsored by the railroad companies), a better solution was quickly found by way of the introduction of traffic regulations, and the segregation of the highway into motor and pedestrian areas (sidewalks).

There seems to be somewhat of a parallel to this story developing here in Zürich, where bicycles seem to have free range over the streets, sidewalks, tram-lines, bus-stops, and practically any place that lies within a direct line of the cyclists point of origin and destination. Cyclists, it seems, have decided that the lines of stationary cars are too dangerous, and therefore that pedestrian areas are the safest place - Pedestrians are much softer in the event of accident.

And this is accepted. It appears the fact that they generate zero carbon emissions has given them carte blanche to travel in the most reckless manner possible, often wearing ridiculously tight shorts whilst weaving in and out of pedestrians and other urban obstacles, frequently coming within inches of catastrophic collision with those of us travelling to work on two feet.

I remain fully convinced that my days are numbered and my fate is sealed at the hands of an errant cyclist who has skipped the clogged up cycle lane and misjudges the human chicane that is myself and another innocent bystander.

So, in the absence of the traffic laws and segregation of territory that made the man with the red-flag redundant, what other options do we have to free our walkways from this menace?

At this point, I should probably come clean on my bias: Twice hospitalised after cycling accidents in my teenage years, I remain highly suspicious of anything that doesn’t have at least three wheels to hold it upright, and have to say that I feel rather too aware of just how fragile a human body is when it hits something, even at relatively minor speeds. I psychologist might say that I have too many rather negative associations.

I’ve considered all sorts of solutions for bicycle traffic calming, from speed cameras to cycle-traffic cops, to natural obstacles which might keep some areas bicycle free. Ultimately however, I think it will simply require a few high profile nasty accidents before education and common sense start to prevail, but until then the war on the car is likely to overshadow this new urban danger..

Other Articles in Ecoworldly’s Bicycling Series

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