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SBNP publishes pro-bike letter
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Ralph Fertig
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Oct 02, 2006 08:57 PDT
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Well, the SB News-Press actually published a letter of mine. It was in
response to one printed on 9/27/06 saying that bicycling is dangerous.
Here is what they put in this morning's edition:
~~ Ralph Fertig, President
~~ Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition
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A recent letter to the News-Press fosters a misunderstanding of bicycling
safety.
The writer says that "riding a bicycle, even on bike lanes, is extremely
dangerous." Bicycling is not extremely dangerous. It is safer per hour of
exposure than many other activities, like soccer, football, swimming,
squash, motorcycling or basketball. We're also more likely to die per
hour in a car than on a bicycle.
As for bike lanes, they're the safest place to bicycle. In terms of
accidents per mile, bike lanes are safer than sidewalks, bike paths, or
streets without bike lanes. Bike lanes encourage good behavior by
decreasing illegal wrong-way and sidewalk biking. They additionally make
driving conditions safer because motorists are less likely to swerve into
oncoming traffic when bike lanes are present than when they are absent.
Rather than being harmful, bicycling is overall healthful. Increased
longevity among people who bicycle far outweighs potential loss of life
by 20 to 1. The health benefits of bicycling include reduction of heart
disease, strokes, lung disease, and diabetes.
Finally, I agree with the writer that we need safer conditions and more
education for children. We have an opportunity to do exactly that by
funding the safe routes to school program that is part of Measure D up
for a vote this November. If we pass Measure D, it will provide $1.5
million a year countywide for sidewalks, crossings, bike paths away from
traffic, and education to improve the safety of all children.
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