exhalations

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

USA ranks low on road fatality index

USA ranks between Romania, Bulgaria and Greece, Slovenia with about 14 road fatalities per 100,000 people. That's compared to about 5/100,000 people in Netherlands, Great Britain, Norway, United Kingdom. From How We Drive, the Blog by the author of Traffic.

One part of the strategy is an increase in "self-enforcing" 20 MPH speed zones in urban areas (London now has more than 700, it notes).

Research suggests that pedestrians struck at 30 mph have about a 1 in 5 chance of being killed. At 20 mph the chance of a pedestrian dying is 1 in 40. In order to improve safety on the streets where we live, we will amend our guidance on speed limits, recommending that highway authorities, over time, introduce 20 mph zones or limits into streets that are primarily residential in nature and which are not part of any major through route. Similarly, we will encourage local authorities to consider introducing 20 mph limits or zones in town or city streets, such as around schools, shops, markets, playgrounds and other areas where pedestrian and cyclist movements are high.

Not only do these zones make our streets safer, but they also have potential to reduce pollution and improve public health by encouraging walking and cycling. The limited evidence gathered to date suggests that people walk and cycle more in areas subject to 20 mph zones. We believe that these road safety measures will have the effect of enhancing both public safety and public perception of safety, so encouraging more walking and cycling.

Labels: road fatalities

posted by Bruce Wright at 10:53 AM #

(0) comments

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Philadelphia pro bike race in jeopardy

Phila.'s bike race gets a one-day reprieve:

Philadelphia's annual professional bike race got a one-day reprieve yesterday as organizers hoped a last-minute meeting set for today might stay the event's cancellation.

Race organizer Dave Chauner had said he would decide the event's fate at 5 p.m. yesterday. He pushed the self-imposed deadline ahead 24 hours, he said, to meet with a possible backer today.

Labels: philadelphia, pro bike race

posted by Bruce Wright at 11:33 AM #

(0) comments

NASCAR driver prefers his bike for recreation

According to the CNN article NASCAR driver shows off his Missouri hometown

Carl Edwards, one of NASCAR's elite, makes a living traveling at speeds upwards of 200 mph and is on the road more than 200 days a year. So when he wants to slow down, he heads to his hometown of Columbia, Missouri.

Labels: bike, NASCAR

posted by Bruce Wright at 11:29 AM #

(0) comments

Currently Reading

Recently Read

Music

Artists

Archives