Between 1975 and 2008 Transport Canada Statistics reports that 2,315 cyclists have between killed by cars. The above picture gives an idea of what this looks like, showing 2200 people gathered for a running race.
In that same time period 255,000 people in Canada have been injured by cars while riding their bikes. To put that in perspective the population of Saskatoon is 230,000 (below).
"PARIS OF THE PRAIRIES"
I find the battle between cars and bikes interesting. In general cars do not respect bikes as legitimate vehicles with a right to be on the road and cyclists respond by living up to lowered expectation. People generally conduct themselves in part based on the expectation placed on them by their circumstances. For example I say things at a bachelor party I would never say at work even if the same people are present. Just go out for beers with co-works next Friday after work to see this phenomenon in action.
The same rule applies to cyclists. When I drive my car I generally abide by the laws of the road. When I ride my bike along the same streets in the same after work rush I seem less likely to abide by all the rules. I don’t go running red lights or weaving in and out of traffic but like after work beer time I defiantly apply a less conservative interpretation of the rules of conduct.
It’s a positive feedback mechanism; the less respect cyclists get on the roads the greater their feeling of lowered expectations and the less likely they are to follow the rules, angering more motorists who in turn lose more respect for cyclists lowering expectations further.
In cities like New York things has deteriorated to all out war. Cyclists join urban riding clubs for protection and even hire riding coaches to teach them how to “street ride”.
Campo teaches folks how to "street ride," a culture mixed with bike messenger-styled aggressiveness (yes, we scream at drivers and pedestrians not giving us the right of way) and staying safe.
If every cyclist followed traffic rules as strictly as motorists I think much of the animosity between the two groups would be alleviated. Driver respect would increase thus increasing the expectations placed on cyclists which would further reduce lawless cycling behavior and ultimately make the roads safer for riders.
On average 23 cyclists are killed In New York by cars. There are no winners in war only dead cyclists and manslaughter charges.
23 NEW YORKERS
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