Comment: Grim Reaper looms over intersections where drivers turn without slowing |
Over the past two years, I’ve spent a total of four weeks over three separate visits in Montreal, where I drove, walked and cycled at various times.
When I returned to navigate Victoria traffic, I had a shocking realization.
I felt safer in Montreal.
This was shocking because I’ve always thought of Montreal as a place where people try to kill you with their cars, just because they can (I used to think that about Paris too — not sure if it’s a French thing.)
These past three visits, however, two in summer and one in fall, changed everything.
It’s unknown whether Montreal drivers still want to kill anyone who is walking or cycling, but it’s a lot harder. For one thing, ongoing construction in the city slows everyone down.
But there are also lots and lots of bike lanes and pedestrianized thoroughfares (in summer, at least) and narrow roads and other things that make it more difficult to run someone over at speed, even if you really wanted to.
When you know you can’t get anywhere fast in a vehicle, you stop trying.
It shows that how you build your roads, and who is prioritized, is one of the most important factors in determining what happens on them, good or bad.
It’s worth........