This was an interesting response by BNS to a letter someone
submitted to the CH going on about the hassle bikes make for
drivers in the city, how they should be forced to pay taxes via
licensing as they use the "same" infrastructure as cars, etc:
I am responding to a number of recent letters regarding
cyclists on our roadways. Some of these letters have been
unnecessarily critical of cyclists. I merely offer another
point of view.
While it is true that many cyclists drive through stop signs
and red lights, it is also true that many automobile drivers
speed, fail to signal, roll through stop signs, don’t use their
seatbelts and text while driving. Every milieu, it seems, has
its own scoff laws.
In an attempt to do something positive about cycling however, I
became a CAN-BIKE Instructor in 2006 (a program funded by
Transport Canada – www.canbike.net). Unfortunately, as with the
many driver education programs, the CAN-BIKE is completely
voluntary. Some cyclists, as well many motorists, feel that
“they” do not need any training. It’s a typical human failing.
I still joined a group of cyclists whose members co-authored
the Nova Scotia Bicycle Safety Handbook. It details proper road
etiquette for cyclists and motorists alike.
Regardless of the efforts being made with respect to safe
cycling, it would seem that there are still many motorists who
are reluctant to share their roadways with their pedaling
fellow citizens. They talk about the licensing of bicycles and
other means by which to tax and control the cycling public.
They sadly appear to know very little.
The motor vehicle is a wonderful technology for traveling long
distances, carrying heavy loads or giving more independence to
those with limited physical mobility. I, too, own and drive
motor vehicles but I realize that their usage comes with many
generally negative consequences as well.
According to the Transport Canada, Statistics Canada, and the
Bureau of Transportation Statistics websites, an average of
2,957 annually died in motor vehicle collisions in Canada
between 1995 and 2004. The same period averaged 600,000 motor
vehicle collisions annually on Canadian roadways. Additionally
in 1990, 1995 and 1996, the only years for which the statistics
are readily available, an average of more than 200,000 people
were injured annually.
A quick mental calculation would reveal that these sad events
result in billions of dollars in rescue, care, treatment,
personal injury compensation and repair costs. And even these
observations ignore the other health care burdens which are
resulting from the chronic overuse of the automobile: obesity,
diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and stroke and a host of
other serious physical ailments. Bicycles and their riders
simply don’t account for any such things.
Unlike cars, trucks and busses, bicycles also have a minimal
impact on street expansion and on street maintenance and
repair. Thus, those who argue that cyclists should pay “their
share” should consider how small – proportionally – that share
would really be.
As more people ride bicycles instead of driving motor vehicles,
positive spin-offs result: cleaner air, healthier people,
reduced traffic congestion, cost savings on road maintenance
and on public transit.
Cycling is neither inherently dangerous nor particularly
difficult; therefore, like walking, we allow people to do it
for free. Requiring cyclists to pay for the privilege of using
the streets they already pay for through their taxes would be
like requiring pedestrians to pay a toll to use the sidewalks.
How absurd.
Different vehicle types have different advantages and
disadvantages, and different people have different needs and
preferences. Fortunately, our roadways and traffic laws allow
accommodation of a diversity of vehicle types for
transportation. If this were not the case, many people would be
limited to vehicles they don't need, don't want, can’t afford,
or can't use. However, this diversity requires co-operation and
patience of all road users because an unfortunate reality of
our roadway system is that all forms of traffic affect all
other forms of traffic. No road user is immune to traffic
delays nor innocent of creating them for others.
Some motorists who wish to avoid their responsibilities and
occasional inconveniences of motor vehicle travel have claimed
that use of slow, open vehicles on roadways is unreasonably
dangerous. However, bicycle riders who follow the rules of the
road and motorists who exhibit patience and pass cyclists when
safe and at a safe distance will all enjoy a better safety
record. Our society's respect for the travel rights of
vulnerable but lawfully operating road users is what keeps all
road users safe. Those impatient road users (thankfully a
minority) who treat others with disrespect and make
inflammatory statements intent on depriving other groups of
their legal right to travel upon our public system are the ones
creating the real danger.
Doug Regular
Vice president of Education, Bicycle Nova Scotia
CAN-BIKE Instructor/national Examiner
