Blog Post #10 Streetcar tracks and bicycles

Blog Post #10 Streetcar tracks and bicycles

Paul Goddin wrote at Mobility Lab “...There will always be those who are resistant to change.
These are the people who fight the Columbia Pike Streetcar despite credible evidence of its return on investment. These are the ones who use rhetoric like “war on cars” and are fond of excessive punctuation.
And lately, these are the people who write angry op-eds to their local newspaper, decrying bicyclists as out-of-control “terrorists” running roughshod over normal car-driving Americans and calling city officials who install bike infrastructure “totalitarians.” Oh, the humanity!
TDM Takeaway When educating about multiple transportation options and freedom of choice, know that some people are going to be afraid of the changes this implies.
This phenomenon has a name: “bikelash” – a clever word used to describe the resistance and hostility some people demonstrate towards the growing presence of bicycles in their cities..”
( http://mobilitylab.org/2014/10/10/how-to-combat-bikelash-embrace-it/#comment-13005)

In the comments,  Greg posted: “..Greg October 15, 2014 at 11:47 AM Yet another reason to dislike cyclists. What the f*** does the Streetcar have to do with this?”

in response, I wrote: “dave schutz October 27, 2014 at 7:38 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Streetcar tracks regularly cause bicycle accidents. Toronto has had a huge problem with this.

and:

Here are four pieces brought up by a quick Google about trolley tracks causing bicyclist accidents.

http://hiddencityphila.org/2014/05/accident-galvanizes-city-to-address-unused-trolley-tracks-in-center-city/

http://tucson.com/news/local/more-than-bike-crashes-documented-on-tucson-s-new-streetcar/article_932a6387-978a-5a9a-9bcc-9ae66d3ab913.html

http://bikeportland.org/2010/06/01/in-seattle-bike-crashes-on-streetcar-tracks-lead-to-lawsuit-34271

http://www.stmichaelshospital.com/media/detail.php?source=hospital_news/2012/20121026_hn

- See more at: http://mobilitylab.org/2014/10/10/how-to-combat-bikelash-embrace-it/#comment-13005