cross-posted from: https://piefed.blahaj.zone/post/214827
Helsinki just went a full year without a single traffic death
I’d also like to point out that unlike what carbrains (and anti-progressive advocates) believe, it looks like nobody was killed by e-bikes or e-scooters, either. So we can put another myth to rest.
All the excuses about moving people are either based on complete ignorance, unwillingness to change, or a lack of respect for human life. (All three if you’re Ontario Premier Doug Ford 😒).
The city has also invested in new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, including a comprehensive network of cycling paths that span over 1,500 kilometers.
BRAVO!! GODDAMN!
That’s honestly great. But it might be worth noting that Helsinki s roads cover 715 square kilometers, and US roads cover 9.8 million square kilometers. It’s hard to keep speed limits safe when people are trying to travel 2000 kilometers by car in a single day.
It’s hard to keep speed limits safe when people are trying to travel 2000 kilometers by car in a single day.
How many people are doing that??? And are they doing it through residential areas? Because Helsinki lowered limits in residential areas, which is where most pedestrians and cyclists were getting killed.
The limits were enforced with 70 new speed cameras
This is also worth bringing up, because there have been a lot of people (even here) who claim that speed cameras do nothing.
Our interstates are packed with people driving long distances across the country, even in the middle of nowhere. But no, those high speed limits are not in residential areas, the really high speeds are in empty plains.
I drive cross country pretty often and generally drive at least 1600+ km per day. Unless I’m on a motorcycle, then more like 1300+.
We don’t have a ton of speed cameras, they’re still getting pushback. But it’s more people in cars dying because of high speed crashes than cyclists. You can’t really ride a bike where I live so because nearly no one even tries to ride a bike, there are relatively few cycling deaths.
generally drive at least 1600+ km per day.
I don’t understand, are you a long-haul truck driver? 16 hours of driving per day? That’s not what the general public does. In Canada, less than 10% of commuters “drive” more than an hour. I say “drive” because I’m sure a good chunk of that time is sitting in traffic, going zero. LOL
Highways are designed for longer distances, and you don’t find pedestrians on highways, fortunately.
We’re talking about Helsinki, Finland. They aren’t car crazy like North Americans, and a large number of people are not driving, so it’s great to see that their safety is taken seriously. And the drop in deaths was dramatic from where they started, so kudos to them.
I don’t drive that far every day. But I have to travel cross country a handful of times a year with quite a bit of gear. And when I do, I drive hard. Sometimes even 2k kilometers in a day. But no, nowhere near every day.
And it’s great they made the city safe for traffic. I’m just saying these wide open spaces with huge distances to travel aren’t anywhere near meeting the same safety standard because cars going 150km/hr will sometimes result in fatalities.
Comparing a city to a country. Wow, great argument.
No, not country. I’m sure any city anywhere of similar size with the same accomplishment would also make the news. But you don’t really see them do you?