Whose Roads? Evaluating Bicyclists’ and Pedestrians’ Right to Use Public Roadways

Iwannahurl

New paper from the prolific and thought-provoking Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute in Canada:

"Whose Roads? Evaluating Bicyclists’ and Pedestrians’ Right to Use Public Roadways" (http://www.vtpi.org/whoserd.pdf )

Many people believe that non-motorized modes (walking, cycling, and their variants) have less right to use public roads than motorists, based on assumptions that motor vehicle travel is more important than non-motorized travel and motor vehicle user fees finance roads. This report investigates these assumptions. It finds that non-motorized modes have clear legal rights to use public roads, that non-motorized travel is important for an efficient transport system and provides significant benefits to users and society, that less than half of roadway expenses are financed by motor vehicle user fees, and pedestrians and cyclists pay more than their share of roadway costs. Since bicycling and walking impose lower roadway costs than motorized modes, people who rely on non-motorized modes tend to overpay their fair share of roadway costs and subsidize motorists.

A North American slant, perhaps, but at least some of the principles apply here, I imagine.

AltAccount

I don't think there's anything new or shocking there.

TBH, more so than the rights to use the roads, I'd be more interested in getting everyone to be a little more civil and respectful towards each other.

If the RSA or whoever could do a little more to encourage everyone to SHARE the roads rather than fighting over them, that'd be great.

Lumen

Rights don't need to be justified by social or financial accounting.

Redjeep!

Should be made a sticky.....in Motoring and After Hours.............

Lawr

In Ireland, a bicycle is still classed by the NRA as a road vehicle. One of my main objections to the law that requires cyclists to quit the road whenever a cycle lane is an alternative is that it confuses the status of the bicycle. Is it a road vehicle or not? It is difficult to calculate how many vehicle drivers are actually licensed to drive, how many that are licensed were licensed in an amnesty, how many of those licensed as a result of passing a test actually took a theory test and how many who did take the theory test are aware of recent road rule changes. It is amazing how many people don't know that a bicycle is a legal road vehicle, but seem to be vigilant of the fact that I am required by law to use the cycle tracks and lanes. The NRA, this government and the previous government have done everything they can to undermine the safety of cyclists by marginalising them and even further marginalising pedestrians. Imagine walking down the footpath at the age of 85 and having a cyclists zinging past you without warning. The values of our government and the public who keep voting them in are suspect.