On Cyclists: or, How Representative Systems Operate

[kasyx]

Proposed cycling tax in ScotlandI am utterly 100% behind providing better services for cyclists, including dedicated cycle networks entirely outwith the road network

Comments

[footpad]

I totally agree that a proportion of cyclists are bloody inconsiderate. But I put it to you: how much does a considerate, law-abiding cyclist cost society? Especially by the time you've factored in their lower medical costs, their vastly lower threat, and the social and environmental benefits of getting a car off the road

[kasyx]

I would pose that even considerate law-abiding cyclists would hold up traffic at some point - whether they were in a rush, or cycling with someone else and forgot about the traffic or so on

[kasyx]

*ridiculous arguments that some cyclists have or may have against it.

[footpad]

Thanks. :) I had a but!but!but! lined up for that one. :)

[footpad]

Bluntly, I think we're both pulling numbers out of our arses if we try to quantify this. My guess is that a five-minute delay is extreme: given that our cyclist is slowing the bus rather than stopping it,¹ five minutes is a long time in traffic, and even a small slowdown feels hefty when you're the one behind. But the only true way to estimate the cost is to spend a lot of time on buses with a stopwatch. Meanwhile our opinions differ. Beer?

¹ Case in point: in built-up-areas I go faster than buses.

[kasyx]

Ah, but as I mentioned above (and you may not have read), we have dedicated bus lanes in Edinburgh. Cyclists are allowed in them. It's part of the reason why we have such a good bus network.

I'll see your beer and raise you a blue steak ;-)