SAFETY: for Cyclists and Pedestrians

- an unfortunate account from a fellow cyclist: cars honk at me and verbally tell me to "get off the road"

- one solution: follow behing a bus!  (just be aware of stops)

- some people don't bike due to hazards of road...how do we change this?...can we change this?

- in Holland: any vehicle-cyclists conflict is deemed to be the responsibility of the car driver

- but do cyclists know the rules of the road...are they biking safely? 

- what about implementing a bike licence? -> but this might deter cycling altogether, rather than make cycling safer

    - in Holland: there is not a law on Helmet use, perhaps for fear that such a law would deter cycling

    - people have noticed when a cyclist is not wearing a helmet, cars steer clear of them more than they normally would

- road design features help with cycling safety

    - standards for bike lanes

- So what is the solution to making things safer for cyclists???

      ---> get involved on committees where you can tell people what you're finding unsafe on the road, so changes can be made; bike rakes on buses aid in moving across the city where it's simply too dangerous to bike on the road;

- Suggestion: More work needs to be done to improve the City of Hamilton's online map system where cyclists can navigative/determine the best route for them to take to get to their destination

- Pedestrians: what is the solution to making things safer/easier for us to transport large items???

    ---> grocery bags/carts that are ergonomic, can carry items safely to make walking safer (not straining back!); potential for lockers at place to place as a "storage" spot which makes walking from store to store easier?

- other ideas: car share, taxi, get large items delivered by store, grocery store shuttle bus...

- focus on URBAN DESIGN to make cycling/walking safer for all age groups

- Barry Weller (Ottawa) has devised a pedestrian safety audit