Road Accidents
Whenever I speak with people regarding my choice of commuting by bike, the consistent issue in discussion is risk. It is not a discussion but a statement to the effect “It is too dangerous on the roads.”. This always comes from people who do not bike at least not on roads. The reality I face and I make it a point to tell them is that it is silly to think it is dangerous. This has come up so often that now a days, my response is that of the road is not safe, it is because you as a driver are not keeping it safe.
It is an issue I dont think about much since I do not feel threatened when biking on the road. I feel pretty much integral part of the traffic. Rarely I get squeezed for space. I usually follow that with a fist pumping or if I can, I knock on the offending drivers window and ask him to give me space. Usually that results in driver apologizing (note this works in Singapore, I might not try that in some country where people are allowed to carry guns).
So I dont actively think about safety issues and since I do not bother with advocacy, I dont feel the need to raise the issue for others benefit either. But of late, when I went to the movies, I saw a traffic safety ad that bothered me much.
The reason why it pisses me off is not because they show reckless riding by the motor cyclist but because they do not point the finger at the truck. This is a classic fear mongering campaign which is effective in deterring people from motorbiking. The same attitude is extended towards cycling and cars are made out to be a safe habitat.
Well, I think the Traffic Police should balance the views and if they are threatening one section of the population, they should also produce videos and threaten the rest of the bunch too. As in this traffic safety ad.
My personal feel is that education about traffic safety should be more positive instead of showing death. Promoting gracious driving, stopping at the stop line, allowing pedestrians first etc.. should be the focus. I suppose that will slowly promote a gracious culture. Anyway, it anyone is interested in stats, I found the following from SPF site. Funnily, they mention that so many people died in a particular type of vehicle. I think It would be nice to know who was the other party involved in the accident. I that the reverse perspective will show a lot more cars / trucks involved in causing fatal accidents. That is the stat the police should be paying attention to. People how cause accidents and live to drive another day.
Anyway, do me a favor and pay attention when you are driving on the road.
Related posts:
October 15th, 2009 08:32
Agree totally with the part that road graciousness should be promoted.
I love Tokyo, some of the pedestrian paths are big enough for cyclists to ride on without the fear of colliding into pedestrians, and the people are so polite, you don’t hear bicycle rings, and no grumpy people complaining about bicycles.
October 15th, 2009 13:33
Awesome isn’t it. Girls on bikes. Almost an ideal place…
December 4th, 2009 16:35
Awesome – girls on bikes.
In Berkeley people are careful about pedestrians and bikers because there are so many of them. Once you reach a critical mass of bikers and people walking on the streets, motorists will take notice of you. Certainly there needs to be more encouragement by SPF and perhaps some praying that the weather is not so hot in Singapore!
December 7th, 2009 18:52
Not trying to be a snob but it is difficult to change the environment and the rest of the world to do something on your own. Most of the times I hear comments that are almost identical. First, it is about safety, second is about comfort. the reality is that yes it is hot and humid in Singapore and the road conditions are not ideal. But there are so many positives. Drivers are generally good, roads are great, morning air is crisp and if you are lucky, you have a good shower at work place. I guess these are ideal conditions for cycle commuting and there is little reason to complain. Yes it would be great to have a good infrastructure that gets more people on the bike and on the road. There are lobby’s trying to draw attention to cycling as a form of transportation the efforts of whom is the reason LTA has opened up to allowing folding bikes on buses and MRT’s. But I don’t think we should wait till change happens before living the life style we choose.
There is an interesting article here.