Originally Posted by
genec
Well, you are in freaking Canada for christsake... try a bike commute in a typical crowded azzhle American city during rush hour on a "share the road" street... Now that's competitive road use, my friend. (gee, you use "whilst;" we know you are in the "land of polite."
Say hi to my friends in Calgary
)
As far as the DMV... wouldn't it be cool if they tested drivers with a video drive simulator that included things like "cyclists taking a lane?" Imagine the scores...
"Uh sorry sir, you killed a cyclist... no license for you." "Oh and that's the low score for the week."
WOW! No need to cuss.
FWIW, I commuted for years in Toronto Canada during rush hour on some very busy streets without any bicycle lanes or other bicycling infrastructure at all. Some of those streets included Eglinton Ave, Bloor Street, Yonge Street and Finch Avenue. Therefore I'd say that I do have experience riding on very busy roads with heavy traffic in rush hour.
Yes, it'd be nice if motorists were tested in a better way. It'd also be nice if motorists paid a heavier price whenever they caused an "accident". It'd also be nice if bicyclists would behave in a predictable manner and obeyed the law as applicable to them. Like I said, my two bicycling accidents were caused not by irresponsible motor vehicle drivers but by irresponsible bicyclists.
Once the testing is done for ANY road user how do they intend to enforce those standards? I see many motorists taking actions that put others at risk and I've see police officers watch that action and do nothing. Is it only when someone gets seriously injured or killed that action will be taken.
We can test from now until doomsday but the thing is that once the tests are passed the motorists (or bicyclists) will revert to their standard behaviour unless there is more enforcement of laws as they pertain to dangerous actions taken by motorists.
Cheers