tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288241767940554093.post2747875595764234497..comments2023-11-05T03:16:22.246-08:00Comments on converbike: Why is sponsored research into cycling safety so flawed?Yokota Fritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04808661100114872654noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288241767940554093.post-89409639519030993792007-11-11T07:30:00.000-08:002007-11-11T07:30:00.000-08:00Thanks for posting this, Fritz. I've forwarde...Thanks for posting this, Fritz. I've forwarded it to the state and local advocacy group, as well as a knowledgeable planner and an engineer.Ed Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02661476789768156794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288241767940554093.post-39185805134931982232007-11-11T09:51:00.000-08:002007-11-11T09:51:00.000-08:00Critical thinking is dead. Arguing that correlati...Critical thinking is dead. Arguing that correlation does not imply causation is seen as negative cynicism these days, even in higher education. A "researcher" who doesn't arrive at the correct conclusions isn't likely to get more funding for further research.<br><br>The Mike Judge movie "Idiocracy" might be realized even in our lifetimes. Today, soccer moms are driving diesel powered monster trucks that barely fit in existing lanes or parking spots, so they're widening. But a handful of eccentric guys riding bikes who don't spend a lot are a whole lot easier to ignore.Eccentric guy on a bikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288241767940554093.post-52161807982586470452007-11-11T16:27:00.000-08:002007-11-11T16:27:00.000-08:00Sad but true: sponsors of research tend to get the...Sad but true: sponsors of research tend to get the results they're paying for. This is my cynical and unverified assertion, but I bet I'm right.<br><br>Has anyone in the bike industry tried to get studies done to support the establishment of usable cycling infrastructure? Does any advocacy group have the funds to bankroll such studies? If not, you'll get what you're getting now: highway and traffic research paid for by motor vehicle interests to support their desires.cafiendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05749761363337659545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288241767940554093.post-15898401652552433832007-11-11T18:21:00.000-08:002007-11-11T18:21:00.000-08:00I've been working through the Thunderhead Benc...I've been working through the Thunderhead Benchmarking Report. Now, realize first that a good deal of Thunderhead's funding comes from the industry, and the manufacturers exist to sell more bikes. In their view, anything that helps sell more bikes is a Good Thing. In their conclusions, TA simply says, <br>"Examples abound and local advocates and officials<br>know that a new trail or path built where few biked and walked<br>before more often than not will dramatically increase bicycling<br>and walking in that particular corridor. Results of this study<br>suggest what these advocates and officials know to be true:<br>when you build it, they will come." <br><br>The underlying assumption is that the 'build it and they will come' approach will help to sell more bikes. There is no evidence to support this, of course, and in reality things have worked out quite to the contrary. Bicycle sales have been essentially flat while public spending on bicycle and pedestrian facilities went from $22.9 million in 1992 to $394.9 million in 2006. Don't misunderstand me - I'm not saying that money was wasted, but it may be disingenuous to suggest that on a national scale spending more money leads to more cyclists.Ed Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02661476789768156794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288241767940554093.post-23479275165651979512007-11-11T18:35:00.000-08:002007-11-11T18:35:00.000-08:00My key word was "usable" cycling infrast...My key word was "usable" cycling infrastructure. In other words, not the usual sidepath to nowhere, that amounts to a concentration camp for cyclists and forces them to use their bike as a toy, separate from the practical portion of their lives. The industry just wants to sell bikes, true. But they are the only deep pocket on the cycling side of the equation. Where else would funds come from? Advocacy groups? I can't afford to belong to one. When I did, they ignored my letters to them and barraged me with requests for more funds.<br><br>The best cycling advocacy an individual cyclist can perform is to go out there and ride, relentlessly. Recruit other people to ride.<br><br>Our local rail trail gets lots of traffic, even though it is lame. So the industry is right that if people believe they have a safe place to ride, they will do so. This may not appear as a jump in sales, because a lot of people own bikes already. And they aren't as in love with technology and new new new stuff as the industry has been trying to believe.cafiendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05749761363337659545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288241767940554093.post-21725473248949473512007-11-12T09:01:00.000-08:002007-11-12T09:01:00.000-08:00Too many traffic engineers fail to incorporate var...Too many traffic engineers fail to incorporate variables that are difficult to measure into their analysis for obvious reasons. <br>The auto and truck industries are well represented while independently minded cyclists are easily overlooked. Recreational bike paths are being funded while critically needed bike lanes, wider streets, proper signs, drivers' education,... are being ignored and unfunded.<br>Cities that have successfully integrated more cycling in their tansportation system are great examples of what works. Why some cyclists continue to deny the obvious is hurting all cyclists.<br>JackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288241767940554093.post-39795526690455413462007-11-12T09:35:00.000-08:002007-11-12T09:35:00.000-08:00I appreciate the comments, all. Note that this was...I appreciate the comments, all. Note that this was posted by Dr Robert Shanteau, a traffic engineer in Monterey who has also been a tireless cyclist advocate since the 70s in the SF Bay Area. Please welcome Bob Shanteau to Cyclelicious.Yokota Fritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04808661100114872654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288241767940554093.post-62425820224014970012007-11-13T11:56:00.000-08:002007-11-13T11:56:00.000-08:00I'd agree that the bias affects the researcher...I'd agree that the bias affects the researchers who might vaguely remember what scientific research is, while most of the folks are in the "what are you paying me to find?" category :( Hmmm... how to do research to support that?SiouxGeonzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14852040976080951492noreply@blogger.com