Cycling Safety: Eliminating Door-Related Accidents for Safer Journeys on Designated Routes!
In the heart of Osnabrück, a city known for its vibrant community and bustling streets, a new development has sparked controversy. The construction of a bike lane on Erich-Maria-Remarque-Ring, replacing some parking spots, has become a topic of heated discussion.
Critics question the necessity of the bike lane, citing concerns about the number of "dooring" incidents in the area. However, it's important to note that the justification for the bike lane does not require documented "dooring" incidents; its primary goal is the prevention of such incidents.
The bike lane is a proactive measure aimed at preventing injuries before they occur. It's a principle that applies to many aspects of city planning, similar to the use of zebra crossings and pedestrian ramps for pedestrian safety. Just as we don't wait for accidents to happen before installing pedestrian safety measures, the same logic applies to cyclists.
Some critics, on other topics, have criticized the government for not reacting sooner. Yet, now that a measure is being taken in advance, these same critics are expressing dissatisfaction. The author suggests that this perspective on traffic safety is misguided, focusing on reactions to harm rather than prevention.
The argument that we wouldn't need a bike lane if accidents are first documented without it is flawed. The number of "dooring" incidents needed to justify a bike lane is zero, according to the author. This is comparable to the use of condoms in medicine to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. We don't wait for a certain number of infections to occur before using condoms; we use them to prevent infections from happening in the first place.
The critics are demanding statistics, maps, and proof of the need for the bike lane. However, the author compares this to the initial discomfort experienced with every change in a city, no matter how small. Yet, these changes ultimately contribute to safety and well-being.
The removal of parking spots for the bike lane has filled social media with anger. Yet, the author implores, we must prioritise the safety of cyclists over parking spots. After all, we wouldn't demand the removal of zebra crossings or pedestrian ramps once they've proven their worth in preventing accidents, would we?
Despite the absence of data indicating the number of dooring incidents at Erich-Maria-Remarque-Ring that led to the removal of parking spots for a bike lane, local city planning documents, traffic safety reports from Osnabrück, or regional news sources would be the best places to consult for more information.
The author suggests that a bike lane in Osnabrück, aiming to prevent "dooring" incidents, adopts a proactive approach in health-and-wellness and science, similar to measures like zebra crossings and pedestrian ramps for pedestrian safety. Contrary to criticism, the necessity of such a bike lane doesn't require documented instances of "dooring" incidents; instead, it's meant to prevent them, much like how condoms are used in medicine to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
