Published: 4 May 12 10:20 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/40634/20120504/
Almost half of the serious injuries caused in Sweden’s traffic accidents involve cyclists, a new study reveals, raising questions about the need for a new bicycle safety strategy.
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As for motorcyclist statistics, well you kinda only use those 5 months out of the year during mostly quiet and vacation season, not that surprising.
As for Lund, well obviously you have more cyclist accidents in a city where the majority of the population can't afford a car.
I just really really hope that we won't be wasting billions in tax payer money to 'solve' this problem. Cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam have solved this problem decades ago and it's just a matter of separating pedestrians, cyclists and cars from each other. Not having to share infrastructure with slower and more vulnerable traffic also allows cars to be able to drive faster.
Maintaining cycle paths is not rocket science, so why isn't it done ?
I doubt that Uppsala is unique in all of Sweden in this respect because I have seen similar infrastructure in other Swedish towns. Compared with riding a bike in Honolulu, whose climate is ideal for bicycle riding but which has almost no dedicated bicycle roads, riding a bike in Uppsala is very safe and enjoyable.
Cyclists also have to understand that no, they DO NOT have the same rights as pedestrians. Crossing a road at 30km/hr coming out of no-where and hoping the car drivers will see you in time to stop is just a death wish to me. And in winter even if by chance they do see the cyclists in time, they may not be able to stop on a dime!
Hear hear! It happens quite frequently, do they think drivers have superhero-like reflexes?
haha, I personally don't think that. I know from experience that you have to expect next to nothing from swedish car drivers. If I stand next to them waiting for a traffic light I usually already start driving when the light is still red. If I wait untill it is green, 50 % of the times they will just turn right......of course the full minute I was standing next to them in plain sight is obviously not enough for a swede.
@Abe L
Indeed, the traffic infrastructure is an outrage for a developed and rich country. Sweden is there just behind Italy and the US when talking about just roads for cars.......and cycling lanes.....well at trafikverket and in cityplanning there just aren't any people who have a clue on how to integrate these.
Sweden has made its choice and that is prioritising cars......and they are to stubborn to change that.
This happens both when I am on foot, or on my slow bike (had a great mountain bike a few years ago that got stolen, and so I replaced it with a slow grandpa bike that is too uncool to steal).
One sudden move to the left or the right on my part at the wrong time and bones and teeth will be broken, and a wheelchair or two will have to be unpacked from their crates. Use you bells you imbecile cyclists!
Why have you dragged America into this? The discussion is about a problem in Sweden remember?
The nut-jobs drag America into every discussion. Just think of it as ADS (America Derangement Syndrome).
What you just described is likely a problem in the whole of Sweden. Cyclists and mopedists who think traffic rules only apply to those driving cars. Add to that every cyclist who presumably think they're the center of the world, meaning they think they've been spotted and seen by everybody from everywhere - why of course since all eyes are on them! :P
I don't know where you live but I can tell you that you absolutely have no clue what you are talking about.
To make things clear before telling you why; most Swedish traffic users are completely incapable, I think they are even worse than americans.
You say cyclist think they are immortal; why? Because of the 100 deaths cyclists daily? No this is just not true, because you haven't got a clue, and probably never rode a bike in your life. Riding a bike, especially in Sweden means being incredibly careful, because you can bet your life a car/bus/truck driver will not see you......because they are swedish and only think about theirselves.
The answer on your comment (#20) is more or less the same......I would know why in the world a cyclist in Sweden would think 'they've been spotted' because (being swedish themselves) they know they (car drivers) don't look at other people.
That said; one rides a bike because it is better for the environment, local air quality, traffic congestions in towns etc. so the least the government can do is make it easier for bikers. The fact is just that driving a car gives a great responsability because one second of not paying attention could mean you kill someone. (but sadly every moron can get a driver licence).
@calebian 2
Also you don't have a clue. I don't know any country in the world where so many cyclists wear helmets.