Q: Bikes vs. Cars (nee, the “War on [either one]”)
I am a member of AAA but also an avid bike rider and occasional bike commuter. Can you highlight one or more areas where AAA is working for better bike facilities or ways that benefit BOTH bikes and cars? (Here’s my unsolicited suggestion: aggressive promotion of “Bicycle Boulevards” that parallel major roads in the city and inner suburbs, and separate bikes from traffic)
A: Lon Anderson
First, AAA has long been involved in bicycle safety, and some forget or don’t realize that. When I was a kid, I participated in a AAA bike safety rodeo at my elementary school. In May, we announced that we are adding bicycle roadside assistance as a benefit for AAA Mid-Atlantic members as part of their membership and at no additional cost to them. I think this a huge benefit for bicyclist who find themselves stranded. We have also been strong advocates of improving how we share the road and trying to get motorists to improve their attitudes towards bikers on the roads, but that has to work both ways. Currently there is too much animosity on both sides, and we need to change that. I agree that developing a system of “bike boulevards would be excellent, where feasible. In places like downtown areas, that have little extra space in their right of ways, this could be difficult, but if it would be done, it would be great! At AAA, we certainly recognize the explosion of popularity in biking, and many of our staff, and members are certainly avid bicyclists, and we are working to find ways to make the sharing of the roads work better and safer for both.
— JUL 13, 2015 12:16 EDT
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