5 ms·

It seems entirely reasonable to ban powered vehicles from sidewalks, and I say that as a daily user of a Boosted Board. Now in exchange, go forth and create mo

It seems entirely reasonable to ban powered vehicles from sidewalks, and I say that as a daily user of a Boosted Board. Now in exchange, go forth and create more dedicated (and preferably protected) lanes for bikes (electric or otherwise), electric scooters, skateboards, and other light personal vehicles. In 2001 Dean Kamen said Segway would "cause cities to be redesigned". I think he was only off by a couple decades and a slight variation on the vehicles' form factor.

TulliusCicero 7y ago
The problem here is that in the year 2019, a) most cities have few, if any protected bike lanes (or equivalent) b) scooter riders experience more danger from cars in the road than pedestrians do from scooters on the sidewalk (just think if you'd rather be hit by a scooter while walking or by a car while scooter-ing) Thus, forcing scooters off the sidewalk is a net negative for safety, is it not?
- lm28469 7y ago
  Banning scooters is a net positive for safety for everyone until the infrastructure can handle them safely.
  - TulliusCicero 7y ago
    Not necessarily. You have to factor in that cars generate danger, so if some drivers scoot instead, they're generating less danger (but of course they're also more vulnerable themselves).
    - lm28469 7y ago
      That's a very simplistic view. In Paris for example cars come from outside the city, from people who live too far / don't have access to public transportation / have kids / need cars for their job / or are just too lazy to do something else. These people can't/won't use scooters. I'd agree with you if 1 scooter = 1 less car, that would be awesome. But it's pretty obvious when you visit Paris that it's not the case though, scooters are mainly used teenagers and tourists, who wouldn't use car in the first place.
- Stubb 7y ago
  Banning cars from downtown areas would be a net safety improvement for everyone.
  - dymk 7y ago
    Well that’s just not going to happen without major infrastructure projects, so it’d be nice if people could stop suggesting it as if it was viable.
    - oftenwrong 7y ago
      Here's an example of the required infrastructure: https://fitzrovianews.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/warren-st-closed.jpg https://fitzrovianews.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/warren-st-...
      - dymk 7y ago
        The madman solved city planning! I can’t believe it!
    - diggan 7y ago
      Seems viable though, as some cities are moving in that direction. Barcelona for example, implemented "superblocks" where traffic is closed off in the middle https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/over-8000-square-metres-of-free-space-at-the-poblenou-superblock_397561.html https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/over-8000-square-...
    - aeternus 7y ago
      Closing streets can actually improve traffic. It many cities, you could close many side-streets to all but local traffic (residents). This would make the city much more bike & scooter friendly. Electric bikes and scooters really change the game, you no longer have to be in great shape or sweaty in order to avoid taking a car to your destination. Really, safety is the main concern many people have.

TulliusCicero 7y ago

The problem here is that in the year 2019, a) most cities have few, if any protected bike lanes (or equivalent) b) scooter riders experience more danger from cars in the road than pedestrians do from scooters on the sidewalk (just think if you'd rather be hit by a scooter while walking or by a car while scooter-ing) Thus, forcing scooters off the sidewalk is a net negative for safety, is it not?

lm28469 7y ago
Banning scooters is a net positive for safety for everyone until the infrastructure can handle them safely.
- TulliusCicero 7y ago
  Not necessarily. You have to factor in that cars generate danger, so if some drivers scoot instead, they're generating less danger (but of course they're also more vulnerable themselves).
  - lm28469 7y ago
    That's a very simplistic view. In Paris for example cars come from outside the city, from people who live too far / don't have access to public transportation / have kids / need cars for their job / or are just too lazy to do something else. These people can't/won't use scooters. I'd agree with you if 1 scooter = 1 less car, that would be awesome. But it's pretty obvious when you visit Paris that it's not the case though, scooters are mainly used teenagers and tourists, who wouldn't use car in the first place.
Stubb 7y ago
Banning cars from downtown areas would be a net safety improvement for everyone.
- dymk 7y ago
  Well that’s just not going to happen without major infrastructure projects, so it’d be nice if people could stop suggesting it as if it was viable.
  - oftenwrong 7y ago
    Here's an example of the required infrastructure: https://fitzrovianews.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/warren-st-closed.jpg https://fitzrovianews.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/warren-st-...
    - dymk 7y ago
      The madman solved city planning! I can’t believe it!
  - diggan 7y ago
    Seems viable though, as some cities are moving in that direction. Barcelona for example, implemented "superblocks" where traffic is closed off in the middle https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/over-8000-square-metres-of-free-space-at-the-poblenou-superblock_397561.html https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/over-8000-square-...
  - aeternus 7y ago
    Closing streets can actually improve traffic. It many cities, you could close many side-streets to all but local traffic (residents). This would make the city much more bike & scooter friendly. Electric bikes and scooters really change the game, you no longer have to be in great shape or sweaty in order to avoid taking a car to your destination. Really, safety is the main concern many people have.