Automobile Priority

Whereas the idea of a public right-of-way through private property has been around for hundreds of years, the idea that all of them should be given over to accommodate 200 sq ft of metal powered by an engine with the power of 3-400 horses is rather recent.

Even for the first several decades of common automobile ownership the saturation rate, particularly in urban areas was far below what it is today.

My city is 100% available to automobiles.

100%

Our addiction to convenience requires that we have as close to drive-up access for every conceivable service.
For the first time in human history we can spend an entire day, every day travelling hundreds of miles using our legs a total of 100 yards or less.

Most of my cycling friends are counting on increased participation to introduce the need for equal road access, safety and legal standing.

I have my doubts.

I know somewhere around 12 people who use a bicycle for primary daily transport:
Maybe 4-6 in the depth of a Lake Erie winter, 12-24 in nice weather.

Of those, and the additional occasional riders, I still see many of them riding 10-15 MPH on sidewalks, in the wrong direction, blowing through major traffic signals, terrified to death of sharing the proper roadway with their motorized travelers: (and for good reason.)

I am convinced that an increase in equality of access for pedestrians and cyclists will only come at the expense of that for automobiles.

This is more serious than many alternative transportation advocates realize. Automobile culture defines American culture more than anything else. If you think taking guns away is something, wait until you start removing automobiles from a small percentage of roadways, or even reducing speed allowances.

I predict even more cyclists and pedestrians will be killed, only this time 'accidentally on purpose.'

Buy and wear a camera.