Joseph Stromberg provides an explainer post detailing both sides, and the common ground, of the "vehicular cycling" versus "segregated cycling" debate.
Following the approval of a three-foot passing law for bikers in California this week, Joseph Stromberg examines the ongoing debate about the best way for cars and bikes to coexist on streets. For instance, writes Stromberg, some advocates think the befits of such laws are overblown: "These advocates point to a general lack of enforcement of the rules — but they also argue, more broadly, that making slight concessions for cyclists as part of a system designed entirely for cars is no way to make city biking safe and accessible to the casual rider."
"This disagreement is part of a broader disagreement amongst cyclists: whether bikers should simply share the road with cars, obeying all of the same rules (a philosophy commonly called 'vehicular cycling'), or whether cities should be investing in specialized infrastructure so that bikes and cars don't have to mingle (a position often called 'segregated cycling')."
One the side of vehicular cycling, Stromberg makes the follwing point (among many other points) that surprises many non-biker or novice biker members of the public: "…many proponents of vehicular cycling are actually against measures like protected bike lanes and separated trails. One reason, they argue, is that these lanes are more dangerous at intersections than just riding in the road — because cars turning in front of these lanes don't expect bikes to ride through."
On the side of segregated cycling, Stromberg also voices a large number of arguments posed by people who believe vehicular cycling is a vestige of a time when less bike infrastructure existed.
FULL STORY: Should bikes and cars share the same road — and the same rules?

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie