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In the Netherlands (as I understand it) the assumed-at-fault party in any crash is the one with the heavier weight-class vehicle. So a semi is assumed at faul o

In the Netherlands (as I understand it) the assumed-at-fault party in any crash is the one with the heavier weight-class vehicle. So a semi is assumed at faul over a truck, that’s assumed at fault over a sedan, over a motorcycle over an e-bike, over a bicycle, over a pedestrian. Or something along those lines. Always seemed like a reasonable policy to me. The people operating heavier vehicles have a higher inherent responsibility to operate them safely.

julianlam 6y ago
Yes, that is indeed a sensible approach, but it will be difficult to implement here because the law in North America tends to side with drivers first and foremost. I found it very enlightening to learn that even in the Netherlands, there used to be car culture similar to here, and it took the death of some children, and a grassroots campaign, before meaningful change began to occur. There are many lessons to learn from the Netherlands with regard to bicycle infrastructure, and for our sake I certainly hope it doesn't involve the death of children.
- simongray 6y ago
  > There are many lessons to learn from the Netherlands with regard to bicycle infrastructure, and for our sake I certainly hope it doesn't involve the death of children. It doesn't have to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_Copenhagen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_Copenhagen Like the Netherlands, the city of Copenhagen has a highly evolved bicycle infrastructure, but the catalyst for change was the dual oil crises in the 1970s which led to car-free Sundays and other oil preservation measures. People disovered that they actually appreciated the lack of cars and many started using bicycles as an alternative. This resulted in a grassroots movement campaigning for bicycle infrastructure in the city. The municipality caught on and today almost two thirds commute by bicycle.
PeterSmit 6y ago
Yes this is true, but because of the separated infrastructure there are much fewer collision point between motorized and non motorized traffic. Basically all streets where cars can drive 50kmph (30mph) and up cyclist have a separate cycle path.
- einpoklum 6y ago
  The separate cycling path is not a panacea - since car and cycle paths cross when there's a turn, or when a cyclist needs to cross to the other side.
einpoklum 6y ago
Well, that is better, but then there are those scooters and other small motorcycles that are allowed to go on bike lanes for some reason, which - while living in Amsterdam - I felt were a menace, regardless of whether they'd be assumed-at-fault or not.

julianlam 6y ago

Yes, that is indeed a sensible approach, but it will be difficult to implement here because the law in North America tends to side with drivers first and foremost. I found it very enlightening to learn that even in the Netherlands, there used to be car culture similar to here, and it took the death of some children, and a grassroots campaign, before meaningful change began to occur. There are many lessons to learn from the Netherlands with regard to bicycle infrastructure, and for our sake I certainly hope it doesn't involve the death of children.

simongray 6y ago
> There are many lessons to learn from the Netherlands with regard to bicycle infrastructure, and for our sake I certainly hope it doesn't involve the death of children. It doesn't have to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_Copenhagen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_Copenhagen Like the Netherlands, the city of Copenhagen has a highly evolved bicycle infrastructure, but the catalyst for change was the dual oil crises in the 1970s which led to car-free Sundays and other oil preservation measures. People disovered that they actually appreciated the lack of cars and many started using bicycles as an alternative. This resulted in a grassroots movement campaigning for bicycle infrastructure in the city. The municipality caught on and today almost two thirds commute by bicycle.

PeterSmit 6y ago

Yes this is true, but because of the separated infrastructure there are much fewer collision point between motorized and non motorized traffic. Basically all streets where cars can drive 50kmph (30mph) and up cyclist have a separate cycle path.

einpoklum 6y ago
The separate cycling path is not a panacea - since car and cycle paths cross when there's a turn, or when a cyclist needs to cross to the other side.

einpoklum 6y ago

Well, that is better, but then there are those scooters and other small motorcycles that are allowed to go on bike lanes for some reason, which - while living in Amsterdam - I felt were a menace, regardless of whether they'd be assumed-at-fault or not.