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So as an antithesis to this thread, I'm currently engaged in a project at work to "pitch" ideas for future funding to the various US DOT modes (NHTSA, FHWA, etc.). One thing that frustrates me living and working in and around Boston, is how unfriendly it is for people who want to commute on two wheels. It's getting better for bicyclists, but certainly not for those of us on motorized cycles. With news like this talking about congestion, I have come across some impact studies like this, that discuss how 2-wheeled commuting could perhaps be one of few ways to proactively combat congestion in areas where they simply can't make the roads any bigger (like Boston...)
There's also work out of MIT that is using cell data to pinpoint traffic tie ups.
It seems to me if you could target particular areas that are growing, contribute to congestion, are under-served by public transportation and do not have room on the roads for expansion and get even small %'s of the population to consider commuting by two wheels instead of four, you could actually help make commuting in Boston easier instead of harder.
I don't want to go after licensing or driver/rider training in the basic sense, it's too much of a "political" fight with states that issue licenses and MSF's monopoly on training.
What I do see are several barriers to commuting on two wheels that might prevent someone taking their cage into work every day from giving it a try:
- Licensing costs, MSF in MA is now pushing $300 for the BRC.
- Lack of legal lane filtering (huge priority IMO to make commuting and urban riding safer for all 2-wheeled folks)
- Lack of legal lane splitting (I am for this, but it's too hard to police and keep the idiots from doing stand up wheelies between lanes on the highway, and not a concern for city riding)
- Lack of intersection markings for bicyclists / scooters / motorcycles (such as the "bike box" at the front for filtering)
- Lack of overall awareness of cycles
- Confusing laws in terms of who can use bicycle lanes (I see scooters in them all the time, sometimes motorcycles... why can't we share and if so, what is the line? Clearly a bicycle lane isn't big enough for a full-dresser or ST bike or anything large
- Scooter "restricted" (<30 mph) vs. "unrestricted" and different licensing paths for each (permit vs. MC endorsement)
- Obviously, general DRIVER training is needed, or even actual SAFETY enforcement on the roads (getting away from speeding tickets as the only type of enforcement) is needed, again I think this fight (against LEO's, why would they want to give up such a profitable scam as pulling people over driving with the flow of traffic that's all above the speed limit?), but again these are BIG efforts to undertake.
Curious to hear the breadth of opinions here. Am actively developing this idea / thought process and have support for it within work. Either way, this idea WILL end up in front of some very high senior administrators.
The jist of where I am now, is to:
1) Try to identify a "commuter bike" concept that could include all small forms of 2-wheeled transport. Electrics and motos up to 300cc's is kind of where I'm at.
2) Identify route planning resources and outreach to those areas that cause / suffer from extreme congestion
3) Provide basic training, more than what a permit requires but perhaps less or *different* than what full MSF type moto training provides. This must be free or low cost and focus on traffic strategy, route planning, intersection behavior, etc.
4) Work to allow lane filtering, and proper pavement markings to support it, at key areas / intersections / roads.
5) Define what powered vehicles (electric assist bikes, etc.) can use bicycle paths (not bike lanes, but dedicated bicycle paths)
6) Encourage more shared cycle parking (scooter / moto parking) on city streets in areas of the city people commute TO
6A) Encourage more shared cycle parking at private parking lots / garages
7) Outreach to LEO's regarding new policies (lane filtering) and work to enforce safe driving habits (tailgating, not using signals, distracted driving, etc.)
7A) Outreach to the public that there's a shift towards safety for cyclists, and promote the benefits of commuting on 2-wheels vs. 4, with an emphasis on shorter travel times and benefits (such as being able to filter at intersections or shared use bicycle lanes on particularly bad areas, etc.)
Curious as to what everyone might think could get more people IN to street riding / commuting versus all the talk about people leaving street riding.
What incentives would you need? If you commit to commuting on two wheels, shouldn't your insurance on your car go down, etc? Could we incentivize the purchase or other costs associated with owning and operating a "commuting cycle"?
What legal changes would you like to see made? What are your thoughts on lane filtering versus lane splitting, etc. and do they impact your willingness to commute?
Anyhoo, thoughts appreciated from all.