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WHY THE ROADS ARE SAFER FOR BICYCLES

I am writing this here because the topic comes up at least every two days
on reddit and I am sick of typing out the same answer every time.

The comparison here is between separated and integrated solutions for
bicycle riding, and focuses on collisions between bicycles and power vehicles.

I power vehicle driver approaches an intersection where there is a red light,
give way sign, or a stop sign. They give way at that point not because the law
requires it (they are unlikely to be caught) or out of consideration for other
road users. Instead they are motivated by the concern that they might be
personally injured in a colision, or that their vehicle may be damaged.

If a bicycle is driving along a road, passing such an intersection, they are
protected by the cars driving along the same road, because cars which may cause
a crash don't want to collide with cars which have right of way.

The bicycles on the road are immaterial because colliding with them will not
cause injuries to the driver, and a collision is unlikely to seriously damage
their vehicle.

Now consider an intersection between a road and an off road cycling path. A
driver who has to give way at that intersection is under no significant threat
of personal harm or serious damage to their vehicle, and so can cause a
collision with impunity.
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