The War on Cars Vehicular Cycling and John Forester, Part 1
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Jul 9, 2024 John Forester, the father of vehicular cycling and influential cycling advocate, is the spotlight in this engaging discussion. Forester's philosophy asserts that cyclists should navigate traffic like any other vehicle. The hosts explore topics from his groundbreaking book, 'Effective Cycling,' analyzing the challenges cyclists face on busy roads. They delve into the contrasts between modern bike advocacy and Forester's approaches, as well as the cultural shifts in cycling since the 1970s oil crisis, emphasizing the need for equal treatment for cyclists.
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Forester Ignores Dutch Bike Success
- The U.S. and the Netherlands reacted differently to the 1973 oil crisis, with the Netherlands embracing cycling infrastructure.
- Forester never visited the Netherlands and dismissed their successful bike network as inconvenient and of low social status.
Forester's Cycling Civil Disobedience
- John Forester engaged in civil disobedience by riding on the road against a local ordinance requiring cyclists on the sidewalk.
- He was ticketed and convicted, but successfully forced Palo Alto to repeal the ordinance after challenging it in court with diagrams.
Cyclists Are More Like Pedestrians
- Cycling is closer to pedestrian behavior because cyclists can quickly adjust, interact visually, and change direction flexibly.
- Forester dismisses this, demanding rigid roadway rules that ignore bike riders’ contextual adaptability.