Vehicular Cycling and Stockholm Syndrome

It's time for an opinion post, and this is one that may not be too popular.  Outside the world of bike advocacy, we can generally agree that cars, pedestrians, and bikes do not mix well.  At least the shouts of drivers and pedestrians alike would certainly suggest that this might be the case.  However, the question that urban planners in the USA are dealing with is what to do with the bikes.  Not as fast as cars, not as slow as pedestrians.  Within the world of bike advocacy, that debate rages more ferociously than just about any other argument this side of helmets.  I'm going to go ahead and come down on a side.

When I say "sides" there are two camps - "Vehicular" cyclists and those who prefer separated cycling infrastructure.  Vehicular cycling is the group of people that advocate cycling like a car, an utter necessity given the current state of U.S. cycling infrastructure.  It involves taking the lane, and utilizing all the lanes depending on current need - for instance, on my commute for about a mile I ride down the shoulder of a 3-lane, 65 mph dual carriageway and have to make a left.  Vehicular cycling dictates crossing all three lanes into the lefthand turn lane, then making the left with the traffic signal, same as a car.  It's exactly as terrifying as it sounds, and I am an extremely experienced street cyclist.

Those who advocate for separate bicycle infrastructure (if it's not already obvious, that's where I land) believe that this mix is the source of immense amounts of conflict.  Primarily due to the difference in user vulnerability, isn't something that can be remedied with the usual platitudes about "educating motorists" or requiring cyclists to get a license (another suggestion bandied about by the frustrated).  I'm of the belief that proper cycling infrastructure removes the conflict between drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians by providing for each equally and not pretending that we're going to educate ourselves into resolving the inherent differences in these three forms of getting from A to B.

Here's my theory, and it's not terribly flattering.  I theorize that vehicular cyclists are essentially victims of a trafficky form of Stockholm Syndrome.  We American cyclists fetishize our traffic skills and after dodging cars bask an adrenaline not dissimilar to the Running of the Bulls.  For proof I will refer you to the film Premium Rush, an entire movie dedicating to crazy-ass vehicular cyclists.  See also the popularity of brakesless fixed gears for transportation purposes, "Cat 6" racing, and commuters who draft.  What I mean is that we've been forced to dance with the devil for so long that the notion we've had it wrong all along is met with nearly religious opposition.

Where this causes problems is that these conflicts within cycling advocacy means that there are people actively campaigning against separate bike infrastructure under the belief the best way to grow cycling in the U.S.A is to....change nothing.  Which seems to be to not only be insanity but to completely ignore the sample size provided by multiple First World nations of millions of people who have any kind of decent modeshare.  It's like denying climate change because you remember having hot summers as a kid.  Why else would you ignore vast quantities of hard data and successful implementations around the world?  In the end this causes mass confusion as urban planners try to accomodate the needs of cyclists and end with mixed messages.  I think what we need to realize is that people's opinions don't necessarily reflect the best decisions on a city-wide scale.  The mixed messages of cycling advocates received by city planners need to be ignored to a point in favor of hard data and facts.

I don't deny that everyone's heart is in the right place - the endgame is getting more people on bikes.  But we need to admit that no one's grandmother is going to ride her bike like a car through traffic on Lamar, and put in bike infrastructure on which she could take your 8 year old to school.

Welcome to the WORLD OF TOMORROW

The Netherlands once again astonishes me with their dedication to practical urban cycling. They have now launched the The Dutch Cycling Embassy. Holy shit, the video.

Cycling For Everyone from Dutch Cycling Embassy on Vimeo.

I very rarely make it through a video this long without getting bored, even one about cycling. What can I saw, I'm a child of the internet generation and my patience for content is about.....2 1/2 minutes. If I'm not hooked, I turn it off. I watched the whole thing.

As someone who is a very strong believer in the power of the bicycle to change the everyday lives of people on many levels, I want this embassy to succeed. Thanks again, Holland. We need you.