Risk Mitigation 101 for Cyclists

At least in California, highway funds are allocated based on how heavily they're used. This means heavily traveled roads - main roads and their feeder roads - get the most money, are the most well-maintained, and typically have paint and signs "protecting" cyclists.

The record is clear though, paint and signs don't protect cyclists, only physical barriers do. Dot-Bots and rumble strips help some, but paint is pretty worthless. I've seen dozens of violations of the cyclist lane on random afternoons in less than 5 miles. It's just a matter of time before a cyclist is hit when this occurs.

The question then becomes, what happens when a cyclist is hit? That depends almost entirely on how fast the motorist is traveling. These numbers say loud and clear, stay off heavily traveled roads with fast traffic if you value your life. These numbers are for Peds, but 15 lbs of carbon, and 12oz of Spandex aren't going to make much difference.

If advocating for cycling infrastructure, please point out that where there are discretionary funds, those need to be spent contrary to state transportation funding guidelines to create "Light Wheel" infrastructure bearing 300lbs max instead of 200,000lbs max. The cost of a bike trail is roughly 1/1000th that of a freeway lane.

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