As difficult as it is to combine the use of our roads with 2 opposing & dangerous trends... Increased Driving Speeds vs Addition of Slower Moving Human operating vehicle Types.
Speed has always been the #1 contributor to accidents cause & severity of single car accidents. The mixed engagement of different speeds of vehicles is the #1 cause of multi-vehicle accidents & severity or fatalities. From a unique perspective of my profession in the insurance seat & from a multi-state cyclist's rider experience... I see the serious need for this conversation with all sides collusion considered. What I see pushing this issues greatest mix of confusion is the recent push to allow & include the 4 wheeled versions on our roads. Most cyclist are going to be 2 wheel single rider version. When the recent 4 wheeled ATV & Golf Cart push to get on roads with 6 people and no better protection than the golf course use for it's occupied passengers... including a much wider footprint than a bicycle, this is the tipping point of inclusion of what belongs & what does not on public roads and at what speed zones etc. ATV & Golf Carts are getting unfair passes at road use & multi-passenger allowance but with nothing equal to passenger safety compared to standard vehicles. The focus should be on vehicle safety rating & if it meets multi-passenger safety features. Turn signal, brake lights & seat belts are not sufficient upgrades for a multi-passenger vehicle. ATV & Golf Carts are going 30-60 with no added safety features for a crash when now engaging with ALL other trucks and other vehicles, head on, rear end collision accidents. Please focus on the Legal responsibility of the drivers & manufactures of the multi-passenger vehicle/devices and a Safety rating aspects that equal standard automobiles it is sharing & engaging with. Speed zones are vital for multi-passenger vehicles not safety rated, and should be fully restricted to 30 mph zones or less.
-Tracy Snider, a cyclist

#1 - Tsnider posted Feb 5