Category Archives: Bicycling

Safe bicycle routes: engineering versus epidemiology

Posted on October 8, 2013 by jsallen

Note as of November 17, 2013: I have reviewed this post to correct typos, improve wording, and add headings. I have highlighted substantial changes and additions. Note as of May 23, 2014: I have added links to reviews of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Police repression of cyclists in Montreal

Posted on July 30, 2013 by jsallen

Letter from a friend in Montreal — Hadn’t heard from you in a while John, and was noticing too no recent updates on your blog. I see now a recent one, so am sending this along. Hope you were having … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling | 31 Comments

Truck side skirts: reliable way to prevent cyclist fatalities?

Posted on July 28, 2013 by jsallen

No, not reliable, though some are better than others. Some are also supposed to confer an aerodynamic advantage. Some have a smooth surface which can deflect a cyclist. That is still no guarantee that the cyclist will escape serious injury … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling, Bike lanes, Crashes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Acknowledging John Forester — the game changer

Posted on June 7, 2013 by jsallen

Cycling educator John Forester gets a lot of flak from people who reject his advocacy of cycling skills, preferring a populist, facilities-based “paint and path” approach. Forester has brought abuse upon himself with his abrasive, confrontational style. But let’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling | 13 Comments

Outbluffing robocars?

Posted on May 15, 2013 by jsallen

I’ve read a very interesting article about the insurance and liability aspects of robocars. This post expands on a comment I posted on the author’s blog. I think that the question of interaction of robocars with pedestrians, bicyclists and human … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling | 5 Comments

Seeing green?

Posted on April 29, 2013 by jsallen

A friend posted this photo on facebook. The placement of the shared-lane markings shown, centered in the lane, is good. The shared-lane marking is a standard treatment in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), as is green paint … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling | 7 Comments

Changes in German traffic law loosen restrictions on cyclists

Posted on April 22, 2013 by jsallen

The German Cycling Federation (ADFC) has posted a page describing changes which remove some restrictions on cyclists. I have prepared a translation of the page. Please keep in mind that translations do not necessarily reflect my own opinions. I also … Continue reading →

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Cars declare war?

Posted on April 21, 2013 by jsallen

I’m commenting here on an article in the Washington, DC City Paper blog, “There is No War on Cars.” Excerpt: “Except that there was a car war. It was just in reverse: Cars were declaring war on cities across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling | 1 Comment

Right-turn lane as dual-destination lane?

Posted on April 12, 2013 by jsallen

I’ve had criticism from an unusual side about the video below. The complaint, from another cyclist, was essentially that I was not following the rules of the road, not operating as the driver of a vehicle, by riding straight through … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Specialized S-Works tandem: Shafted, but Shifted

Posted on April 11, 2013 by jsallen

A California bicycle shop posted the photo below of a tandem made by Specialized S-Works — the part of the company which produces high-end, innovative bicycles. This is a show bicycle and concept bicycle, “must be better because it’s got … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling | 5 Comments