What happens when drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians don't get along?

What happens when drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians don't get along? Chaos.

For decades, cyclists have traveled through the streets of Copenhagen, alongside motorists to their left and pedestrians to their right. It may seem unsurprising then that the relationship between motorists and cyclists in Copenhagen is quite positive. Speaking from my own personal experiences here, I have felt particularly safe at intersections, where most motorists patiently wait for cyclists before passing. The traffic signals for cyclists are also an added benefit, as well as blinking lights at certain intersections which warn automobiles that cyclists are approaching. But still, issues of safety are a concern even in Copenhagen, and this will be discussed in further detail below.

However, the relationship between drivers and cyclists in North America appears to be quite a different story. For decades, people have traveled mostly by automobile. Yet as more people choose the bicycle as a mode of transportation, motorists are now faced with sharing the road, largely because of inadequate infrastructure that forces motorists and cyclists to mix in traffic. With a lack of infrastructure for cyclists, a poor culture of sharing the road, and the majority of people still driving, roads in many North American communities have become dangerous places for everyone. Fortunately, various programs have been created to create a more positive relationship between drivers and cyclists.

Publicis Montreal has created a $250,000 campaign for Vélo Québec to improve the relationship between drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Interestingly, the Montreal Police Service provided some funding for the campaign, which will include television, print, and web publications. Share the Road is another Canadian organization that strives to create more bicycle-friendly communities - and as the name suggests, aims to encourage all users to 'share the road'. A short video below introduces the Vélo Québec campaign.

“Too often, we forget that we trade places between being a driver and being a cyclist depending on the moment,” said Nicolas Massey, vice-president, creative director of Publicis Montreal in a release. “We should all be interested in respecting the rules of the road, and each other.”

As mentioned previously, Copenhagen does have some issues with perceived and actual safety of cyclists. In the 2010 Bicycle Account, a comprehensive study on the state of cycling in Copenhagen, 34% of cyclists and 29% of non-cyclists claimed that better motorist road manners would encourage them to cycle more. 29% and 21% of cyclists and non-cyclists, respectively, cited better segregation between cyclists and motorists would encourage more cycling. Fortunately, the number of seriously injured cyclists fell from 252 in 1996 to 92 in 2010. Still, even with Copenhagen's world class cycling capital status, there are some issues related to cycling infrastructure, safety, and the relationship between drivers and cyclists.
Luckily, the global cycling movement appears strong and is growing each year. Together, we can move forward in creating a strong culture of sustainability where all road users - motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike, are respected and valued.