tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post2447983175477367941..comments2024-03-18T23:52:31.939-04:00Comments on The Invisible Visible Man: A Jersey City leaflet, an East New York death - and why police are bothering the wrong peopleInvisible Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-47142850724664743392014-04-15T12:43:11.931-04:002014-04-15T12:43:11.931-04:00You have my permission, Anonymous, to thrust it in...You have my permission, Anonymous, to thrust it into the hands of NYPD officers. But I think that for many of them the language as it stands would be challenging. They might have to move their lips while reading.<br /><br />Not that I should criticise a whole group mindlessly. It's meant to be the kind of thing I oppose...Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-41866794776867919942014-04-11T13:44:22.428-04:002014-04-11T13:44:22.428-04:00Anonymous,
Thank you, whoever you are,
Invisible...Anonymous,<br /><br />Thank you, whoever you are,<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-624459384632342182014-04-10T23:13:59.477-04:002014-04-10T23:13:59.477-04:00Very well written! Thanks, Robert!Very well written! Thanks, Robert!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-58012293163386704902014-01-06T19:36:27.678-05:002014-01-06T19:36:27.678-05:00Robert read through the piece and I think there is...Robert read through the piece and I think there is at least one caption or phrase which implies "the cars are doing this" It isn't the cars, its the drivers of the cars. I think the language of reporting has a lot to answer for in sanitising unacceptable actions and circumstances. People are hurt and killed in crashes - not accidents, and the are hit by the action of drivers not the cars being driven.<br /><br />We all do this when we describe road crashes and their outcomes, conditioned by years of the inappropriate vocabulary. It obviously infuses elsewhere, we no longer have wars for example, but the weapons and soldiers are still doing exactly the same thing around the world under a different name.<br /><br />Perhaps we should treat any driver involved in a fatal incident with a road vehicle in the same way as we might treat a pilot, train driver, or sea captain. After a fatal incident you get removed from 'driving', pending a full investigation, and often required to re-sit any competence tests. Extend that to serious non fatal crashes and you might find the streets of New York pleasantly less filled with manic drivers. Dave Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11574227829528072780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-53203150247734578472013-12-18T13:15:51.415-05:002013-12-18T13:15:51.415-05:00In Vancouver, BC, there's an intersection of a...In Vancouver, BC, there's an intersection of a major street with the highest used cycle route. (Main St. & Union St.) Recently they've introduced a new thing with a light phase of all-bikes-in-all-directions separate from any other traffic light phase.<br />When it was being proposed and I saw the plan I thought it wasn't going to work but in actuality it works very well. There are some concrete islands to direct motor traffic and to make it obvious to them that bicycles are to be expected there and have priority.<br />This kind of thing is very cheap and very effective but can politically only happen in a place where cycling is considered a legitimate type of transportation.Dudelynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-77787242284256853662013-12-18T12:59:32.405-05:002013-12-18T12:59:32.405-05:00I agree. I've had the same thing when someone ...I agree. I've had the same thing when someone behind me, said "Hey! "share the road" with me, Buddy". To them it meant get out of their way.<br />It's supposed to mean have patience with others in front of you. I now see that slogan as just something or lazy governments to claim they're doing something but in reality not changing the status quo of "might is right".<br />I have no interest in being in the same lane as some immature goof who thinks he's more important than anyone else and is driving a (highly subsidized) weapon that can harm me. I want to be able to go everywhere without needing to have anything to do with that type. Dudelynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-2799990726545460712013-12-12T20:17:57.285-05:002013-12-12T20:17:57.285-05:00Meanwhile, in the rest of the world...
Here is a ...Meanwhile, in the rest of the world...<br /><br />Here is a video from a Dutch safety campaign. Notice how the responsibility is placed squarely where it belongs. <br /><br />http://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/i-was-only-speeding-slightly/Kevin Lovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186428862833389619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-63358221151901698882013-12-12T14:14:19.106-05:002013-12-12T14:14:19.106-05:00drchase, your nervousness is well founded. I often...drchase, your nervousness is well founded. I often take advantage of raw numbers to note there are about the same number of car occupants who drown after their cars fly off the road into deep water as there are cyclists that die from all causes. Where is the cry for all car occupants to carry scuba gear that corresponds to that for cyclists to wear helmets or eschew earphones?Steve Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13650405341304401203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-67687174670264598752013-12-11T17:12:01.464-05:002013-12-11T17:12:01.464-05:00Great stuff as usual Robert. Would love if this wa...Great stuff as usual Robert. Would love if this was handed out, nay, "thrust into the hands of the NYPD" at police stations/ idling cop cars in NYC. (Might want to re-write using words of no more than two syllables though...) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-58847144845589675522013-12-10T17:42:44.744-05:002013-12-10T17:42:44.744-05:00I don't have solid information, other than any...I don't have solid information, other than any time someone reports raw numbers instead of per-something, I get nervous. Otherwise, driving is trivially far more dangerous than cycling, just because there's 30,000+ dead in car crashes every year, versus a mere hundreds in bike crashes. I think driving *is* more dangerous, but the case is not *that* easy to make.dr2chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16320828055999939449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-58669754388427002972013-12-10T00:01:51.787-05:002013-12-10T00:01:51.787-05:00The same campaign you show on the leaflet is playi...The same campaign you show on the leaflet is playing on the in-station televisions in PATH stations. Not that there aren't people who drive to the train in Jersey, but most of us walk, bike, or take the bus there. Also, my girlfriend has a car and that flyer is about the only one in town we haven't found under her wiper blades. It couldn't be clearer to me who this campaign is being aimed at.Ollie from JSQnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-79869477751014260922013-12-09T18:43:32.501-05:002013-12-09T18:43:32.501-05:00I've heard several variations of driving traff...I've heard several variations of driving traffic is the most frustrating experience that americans endure. There's something to that. Enforcement won't be enough in that the level required to make the streets safe would never be politically palatable, but it definitely has a role to play. Reducing traffic levels to make driving less stressful would make a big difference. That means increasing transit access. As would increasing protected bike lanes. A lot of drivers get stressed out when a car in front of them is going 28 when the speed limit is 30 and they want to go 40 or more. A bike at 15mph isn't going to be received well if they are already stressed out. Where possible, get them out of the way by introducing more physically separated lanes. This wouldn't require banning bikes from the rest of the road, since if drivers pass bikes on the road less they'll be better tolerated. Another big issue is timing traffic lights. Lhota said that would be one of his first issues in office. I have in mind setting them to 20mph or less, probably not what he had in mind. <br /><br />Why are so many drivers so oblivious? Well they haven't killed anyone on the road so what they're doing probably doesn't seem so bad. Add to that how little many of those drivers walk and bike and they don't understand what it's like to have a truck swerve inches in front of you when you're in the crosswalk. To tackle this issue, the state should set a very low bar for suspending drivers licenses. It doesn't have to be permanent, and could be as short as for one week in the hope it would get drivers walking or biking just a bit so they can appreciate what's wrong with their behavior. fkgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-353131922594364572013-12-09T18:28:32.974-05:002013-12-09T18:28:32.974-05:00Some cities in the US have pedestrian only phases....Some cities in the US have pedestrian only phases. Many also have cycles that do not default to a pedestrian phase, so unless someone presses a button they won't get a light to cross. And the general approach of cars when they can make a right on red is to slow down, but not stop, and enter the crosswalk at elevated speeds. It becomes necessary to peer around the cars stopped at the light to make sure there isn't a car or truck about to barrel through your right of way. That states have laws requiring cars to stop at the red light before proceeding through the intersection and that require cars to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk seems not to matter.fkgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-57125604834012215412013-12-09T14:45:08.724-05:002013-12-09T14:45:08.724-05:00Anonymous,
I tend to agree with you - although Ne...Anonymous,<br /><br />I tend to agree with you - although New York City has no "right turn on red" rule. Cars are nevertheless allowed to turn through intersections where pedestrians have the light. That's a huge cause of death and injury in New York City. Motorists' reluctance to yield to pedestrians and/or cyclists is pretty shocking.<br /><br />It would be great if there could be a pedestrian only phase for lights at intersections in the US as there is in the UK. Such an approach was briefly tried a few decades ago in New York. Unfortunately, the arrangement led to near-gridlock and it's hard to imagine its returning.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-37181452735479747172013-12-09T14:42:30.367-05:002013-12-09T14:42:30.367-05:00Kevin,
My views on segregated lanes have come and...Kevin,<br /><br />My views on segregated lanes have come and gone with different experiences. I'm coming round to thinking that more are needed, though, for sure. I also think, nevertheless, that it's vital cars be calmed down generally in urban areas even where there aren't bike lanes. For a start, there are some places (like Staten Island) with currently very low cycling rates and very dangerous roads. It clearly makes sense if the traffic is calmed down immediately. It's probably harder to justify a bike network of bike lanes in such areas immediately - but calmer traffic would surely raise cycling levels.<br /><br />As for motorist attitudes to "sharing the road", I have only ever had "share the road!" shouted at me by someone who wanted me out of the way. It might be the most stupid slogan ever for a safety campaign.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-65992145574751333332013-12-09T14:35:41.191-05:002013-12-09T14:35:41.191-05:00I can't help but think that the US "Right...I can't help but think that the US "Right turn on red" rules hinder pedestrian and cyclist safety too.<br />At most intersections, the motorist is going to be more concerned about checking if anything big is coming from the left, and will be oblivious to any pedestrians on the crosswalk to their right (to which I belive they are required to yield)<br />Since, also, the motorist is looking to cut in to a potential stream of traffic, their view of the traffic coming from the left may well not be well attuned to look for vulnerable and slower road users like cyclists - they just want to get into that gap.<br />Moving to the "red means stop" approach removes those potential sources of conflict.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-21229938479656926752013-12-09T13:31:42.627-05:002013-12-09T13:31:42.627-05:00Do either of you have solid information on this? W...Do either of you have solid information on this? Wikipedia, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedestrian_crossing says that, absent additional safety measures, marked pedestrian crossings are the same or worse than leaving things to the imagination of the pedestrians. Indeed, there are less crossing conflicts when crossing away from an intersection.Steve Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13650405341304401203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-2465893338142456222013-12-09T13:07:58.659-05:002013-12-09T13:07:58.659-05:00FKG,
It's certainly true that motorists do an...FKG,<br /><br />It's certainly true that motorists do an appalling job of adapting to the conditions. There was a fair amount of ice this morning on Smith St in Brooklyn. Cars were still hurtling down there at 45mph.<br /><br />I guess the point of my post is to ask why motorists are so oblivious and what can be done about it. I think we agree that proper enforcement is vital to push motorists back in the direction of behaving safely.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-85983212007296285132013-12-09T13:05:22.812-05:002013-12-09T13:05:22.812-05:00I have encountered several car drivers for whom &q...I have encountered several car drivers for whom "Share the Road" meant "Share the Lane by getting the %^$@!X!! out of my way."<br /><br />Quite frankly, I really don't want to share the road with a two-tonne lethal weapon. The Dutch method of protected cycle lanes and protected intersections is much better.Kevin Lovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186428862833389619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-90715476970606518572013-12-09T13:03:41.011-05:002013-12-09T13:03:41.011-05:00When I took drivers ed, I was told that if you dri...When I took drivers ed, I was told that if you drive the speed limit, you can still get a ticket for speeding, or perhaps it was some other violation, if road conditions are poor. This makes sense as anyone who has driven when it's snowing or raining at night should know, cars with headlights are hard to see, nevermind pedestrians and cyclists who are damn near invisible, especially when wearing dark colored clothing. The effect behind a windshield is much more pronounced than it is walking or biking. But when I started driving I realized that nobody seemed to care. Speed limit is 30 and the road is wet and it's dark with snow coming down reducing visibility and handling? Drive 35 or more, after all, it's dangerous to be on the road in such conditions, so you should probably try to get where you are going as quickly as possible. Telling people not to go outside in such conditions unless they are in a car is morally bankrupt and all to common. Until the police do their job and ticket motorists that are driving recklessly, and when it's snowing at night, that's damn near all of them, pedestrians and cyclists would do well to remember than motorists won't see them in inclement weather. Flashlights or reflective clothing don't help all that much.fkgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-18162546423666630122013-12-09T11:02:24.672-05:002013-12-09T11:02:24.672-05:00Matt,
I'm pretty sure she's dead, very sa...Matt,<br /><br />I'm pretty sure she's dead, very sadly. I came upon a number of recent comments under stories about the crash from people expressing sadness at her death, including one from a commenter who had just attended her funeral. I couldn't find a news report confirming her death, however.<br /><br />If anyone has information contradicting what I've written, I'll change it, of course,<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-41818709550762459952013-12-09T10:54:41.416-05:002013-12-09T10:54:41.416-05:00Is Maude Savage dead? I thought she was badly inju...Is Maude Savage dead? I thought she was badly injured, but was expected to survive, and I can't turn up a news report indicating otherwise.<br /><br />That crash is especially egregious, btw; cutting into the oncoming lane instead of swinging a left turn appropriately wide is so damned dangerous if things go wrong. Also easier to do if, you know, negotiating a turn carefully and at appropriate speed.Matt Hillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04384009190778609423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-49275127275053515542013-12-09T10:09:26.055-05:002013-12-09T10:09:26.055-05:00dr2chase,
Thanks for the comment. I'm being c...dr2chase,<br /><br />Thanks for the comment. I'm being careful to say "often" here. I think drivers often misinterpret as reckless behaviour that's more thought out than that.<br /><br />But I take the point that it still seems a good idea to use crossings. If 80 per cent of road crossings are on crosswalks with the light and pedestrians crossing at crosswalks with the light account for 44 per cent of injuries, it's still safer to cross in a crosswalk with the light.<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-36872777904354194282013-12-09T09:45:46.777-05:002013-12-09T09:45:46.777-05:00We don't entirely know that -- if the vast maj...We don't entirely know that -- if the vast majority of pedestrian crossings are legal corner crossings, then those can still be safer (per-pedestrian) even though they also collect the largest share of injuries.dr2chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16320828055999939449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-41680037397237955192013-12-09T08:51:59.016-05:002013-12-09T08:51:59.016-05:00Michael,
Thank You,
Invisible.Michael,<br /><br />Thank You,<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.com