The world of bike riders and self-driving cars may not be as contentious as one might think. While some cycling advocates view autonomous vehicle tech with skepticism, others see the benefits in a partnership between humans on two wheels and metal beasts on four wheels.
Los Angeles, notorious for its car culture, has a spotty reputation when it comes to cycling safety. In fact, according to BikeLA, a local advocacy group, LA's bike network ranks 1,136th nationwide, ranking among the worst cities in the US. The city's infrastructure is designed more with cars in mind, which can be deadly for cyclists.
However, this reality hasn't stopped some bicycle enthusiasts from warming up to self-driving cars like Waymo. According to Eli Akira Kaufman, the executive director of BikeLA, Waymos' technology is safer and more predictable than human-driven vehicles. "I deprioritize them in terms of my level of concern," he says. This shift in perspective may be attributed to the fact that self-driving cars follow traffic laws, avoiding reckless behavior common among human drivers.
The autonomous vehicle industry has taken notice of this new stance towards self-driving technology and is now proactively engaging with cycling groups. For instance, Waymo sponsors local bike events and meets with advocacy groups like BikeHouston, a nonprofit organization based in Houston that aims to improve the city's cycling infrastructure. The goal is not just about safety but also about integrating autonomous vehicle companies into a larger conversation about traffic solutions.
Some researchers have found that spending time around self-driving vehicles can positively impact cyclists' perceptions of their safety and comfort. A study by Alex Gaio, a postdoctoral researcher at Trinity College Dublin, discovered that in cities with well-designed infrastructure for autonomous vehicles, bike riders reported higher levels of trust in the technology.
However, not all cycling advocates are convinced that autonomous vehicles will solve the problems facing cyclists worldwide. Some groups have expressed concerns about the impact of self-driving cars on urban planning and infrastructure design. In San Francisco, for example, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition protested the city's relaxed regulations regarding autonomous vehicle testing, which they believe contribute to car dependency.
Despite these concerns, it appears that partnerships between cycling advocacy groups and self-driving companies like Waymo are underway. The question remains: Will these collaborations lead to better-designed streets and improved safety for cyclists?
Los Angeles, notorious for its car culture, has a spotty reputation when it comes to cycling safety. In fact, according to BikeLA, a local advocacy group, LA's bike network ranks 1,136th nationwide, ranking among the worst cities in the US. The city's infrastructure is designed more with cars in mind, which can be deadly for cyclists.
However, this reality hasn't stopped some bicycle enthusiasts from warming up to self-driving cars like Waymo. According to Eli Akira Kaufman, the executive director of BikeLA, Waymos' technology is safer and more predictable than human-driven vehicles. "I deprioritize them in terms of my level of concern," he says. This shift in perspective may be attributed to the fact that self-driving cars follow traffic laws, avoiding reckless behavior common among human drivers.
The autonomous vehicle industry has taken notice of this new stance towards self-driving technology and is now proactively engaging with cycling groups. For instance, Waymo sponsors local bike events and meets with advocacy groups like BikeHouston, a nonprofit organization based in Houston that aims to improve the city's cycling infrastructure. The goal is not just about safety but also about integrating autonomous vehicle companies into a larger conversation about traffic solutions.
Some researchers have found that spending time around self-driving vehicles can positively impact cyclists' perceptions of their safety and comfort. A study by Alex Gaio, a postdoctoral researcher at Trinity College Dublin, discovered that in cities with well-designed infrastructure for autonomous vehicles, bike riders reported higher levels of trust in the technology.
However, not all cycling advocates are convinced that autonomous vehicles will solve the problems facing cyclists worldwide. Some groups have expressed concerns about the impact of self-driving cars on urban planning and infrastructure design. In San Francisco, for example, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition protested the city's relaxed regulations regarding autonomous vehicle testing, which they believe contribute to car dependency.
Despite these concerns, it appears that partnerships between cycling advocacy groups and self-driving companies like Waymo are underway. The question remains: Will these collaborations lead to better-designed streets and improved safety for cyclists?
like, I know some ppl might be all skeptical about autonomous cars, but I think it's dope that cycling advocates are starting to warm up to the idea 
. I mean, waymo's tech is literally safer than human-driven cars, which is a major win in my book 
. and can you imagine having self-driving cars that follow traffic laws? 
like, no more reckless driving and ppl getting hurt on bikes 
.
. like, it's not just about safety, but also about creating a better conversation around traffic solutions 
. and that study by Alex Gaio is wild 
- ppl who spend time around self-driving cars actually feel more comfortable on bikes? 
. like, we need to make sure we're designing cities with cyclists in mind, not just autonomous cars 
. but overall, I'm hyped about this trend 
. Can't we just have a clean and simple way to post without all the clutter?! 
But, at the same time, I'm not sure if these self-driving cars will really solve all our problems. Like, what about urban planning and infrastructure design? Can't we just focus on building better roads for cyclists and pedestrians instead of relying on tech to fix everything?
Can't we all just get along and work together to create safer streets? It's not that hard! 
. And in this case, it's bike riders & self-driving cars, right? People used to be like "we don't need no stinkin' autonomous vehicles" but now some are all about them because they follow the rules and all 
. It's like when we're trying to improve our own lives - we gotta think outside the box, try new things & see what works 
. Maybe self-driving cars aren't the answer for everyone, but if it means safer roads & more people on bikes 
, then I'm all for it 
.
Are these companies just trying to get their hands on the bike market without putting in any actual effort to improve infrastructure? 
I'm not saying it's all bad, but I've got my doubts about these partnerships and their true intentions 
Still, if it means more people are gonna be aware of cyclists' safety concerns and start making changes to the infrastructure, then count me in 
.
. I just hope they don't forget about the humans who actually have to ride those bikes on a daily basis 
.
. I mean, come on, 1,136th worst city for cycling safety is a big deal! 
. We need concrete changes, like more bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure!