Why do residential areas with bike lanes always seem to get a free pass when it comes to noise pollution from cyclists, while car drivers are constantly being told to keep the noise down? Its not like cyclists are somehow magically quieter than cars, especially when theyre speeding down the road at 25mph with their fancy aero wheels and clicking gears. And dont even get me started on the obnoxious bell ringing and yelling at pedestrians to get out of the way.
If were going to talk about reducing noise disturbances in residential areas, can we at least acknowledge that cyclists are a significant contributor to the problem? Or is it just going to be the usual double standard where cyclists get to do whatever they want while everyone else has to tiptoe around them?
And whats with the idea that bike lanes are somehow a solution to noise pollution? Newsflash: just because youre on a bike doesnt mean youre not making noise. In fact, a lot of bike lanes are just a recipe for more noise, since they often involve cyclists speeding down the road and ringing their bells constantly to alert everyone to their presence.
So, can we please have a real conversation about the role of cyclists in noise pollution, rather than just pretending like theyre not a part of the problem? Or is that just too much to ask?
If were going to talk about reducing noise disturbances in residential areas, can we at least acknowledge that cyclists are a significant contributor to the problem? Or is it just going to be the usual double standard where cyclists get to do whatever they want while everyone else has to tiptoe around them?
And whats with the idea that bike lanes are somehow a solution to noise pollution? Newsflash: just because youre on a bike doesnt mean youre not making noise. In fact, a lot of bike lanes are just a recipe for more noise, since they often involve cyclists speeding down the road and ringing their bells constantly to alert everyone to their presence.
So, can we please have a real conversation about the role of cyclists in noise pollution, rather than just pretending like theyre not a part of the problem? Or is that just too much to ask?