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Post by wstockdell on Aug 4, 2010 21:04:51 GMT -5
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Post by Michael O'Connor on Aug 10, 2010 22:39:13 GMT -5
Here is an interest piece from Wikipedia on rumbles and cyclists
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumble_strip).
Numerous U.S. and Canadian cycling associations have complained about encroachment of rumble strips and one club even launched a lawsuit to have them paved over and an online petition to halt the practice. [50] [51] [52] [53] [54]
A 2005 Quebec study concluded: "Based on the results of the analyses, it was not possible to recommend a type of rumble strip that would provide sufficient warning to drivers who encroach on the shoulder while remaining safe for cyclists who ride over it."[55]
A 2003 Montana study suggested: "It was also recognized that bicyclists cannot operate on shoulders with rumble strips and it was indicated that shoulders would be swept as needed."[11]
Once a section of highway with very narrow paved shoulders is rumble stripped cyclists tend to avoid them, however, sometimes unsuspecting cyclists do have serious accidents.[56]
Much bicyclist opposition to rumble strips stems from situations in which no quantitative data is used to justify their installation and installation is not in accordance with the standard. Rumble strips on narrow shoulders force bicyclists into the roadway, where it is less safe to ride.[50] [51] [52] [53] [54]
Furthermore, this scenario will force vehicles to make an otherwise unnecessary lane change to go around cyclists and there is a correlation with frequency of lane changes and accidents. "According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 9 percent (533,000) of all accidents occurred when vehicles were changing lanes or merging."[57] In certain incidents, a vehicle attempting to avoid cyclists (without striking the cyclists) may go off the road or even sideswipe a passing or an oncoming vehicle.
CLRS are a concern for cyclists as well, as motorists do not move over towards or cross the centerline to provide sufficient space when passing bicyclists. [4]
Rumble strips are very inexpensive to install, so there is concern that some installations are frivolous. The 2009 economic stimulus infrastructure spending in the U.S. and Canada has raised concerns that many new shoulder rumble strips will be frirvolous as well. [50] [51] [52] [53] [54]
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