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> Why does seemingly every article about cycling, even if overall in favor of it, end up sprinkled with appeals for the minority to behave? The answer is, whether most people admit it or not, people resent cyclists. Before I continue: I'm not saying this is a good thing. But I am saying this is what is happening in a lot of people's brains. I think the big reason, and this occurs at a subconscious level, is that the presence of cyclists increases your cognitive load. And our brains are pretty taxed by driving as it is. When there are bikes, you've got to pay attention to a completely new type of vehicle that does not move or behave like other vehicles. You've got to look for a vehicle that is hard to see, and that out of the corner of your eye, looks more like a pedestrian than a vehicle. If you could 'eliminate' bikes, there would be a lot less for your brain to worry about. Add to this that cyclists are the minority, and you can imagine a world without city cyclists, and you're spending all this mental energy on something that feels like it could be "optimized" away. The thought occurs, even if only on a subconscious level, "If those stupid bikes were gone this would be so much easier!" Once again, I disagree with that way of thinking, but it is a common way of thinking nonetheless. Self driving cars and protected bike lanes are probably our best best, because changing people's minds seems like a fool's errand. |