http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/...ses-cyclists-deaths/
Freakonomics is a blog that is almost always worth reading and at the top of my reader list. The conclusion of this study in Toronto, Ont claims that motorists are at fault in 90% of auto/cycling collisions. Shocking, but not terribly surprising to those of us who ride.
Best we can hope from something like this is that it might change a few attitudes of drivers toward cyclists on the road. (yeah, I know, fat chance…)
“this study in Toronto, Ont claims that motorists are at fault in 90% of auto/cycling collisions.”
Even driving a car in Toronto has been getting scarier over the years. Toronto motorists are just plain ignorant a-holes IMHO. Couldn’t imagine riding a bike there. Or maybe I’ve just been away from there for so long. At one time back in the old predominately anglo-saxon “Toronto the good” of my childhood it was a polite place. My God how that has changed. No wonder the rest of the country hates Toronto so much.
“this study in Toronto, Ont claims that motorists are at fault in 90% of auto/cycling collisions.”
Even driving a car in Toronto has been getting scarier over the years. Toronto motorists are just plain ignorant a-holes IMHO. Couldn’t imagine riding a bike there. Or maybe I’ve just been away from there for so long. At one time back in the old predominately anglo-saxon “Toronto the good” of my childhood it was a polite place. My God how that has changed. No wonder the rest of the country hates Toronto so much.
Wow, don’t know where you have been, but thats about the saddest post I have seen in a while.
I don’t know which is sadder, the slightly wistful, Toronto isn’t white enough for me tone or the everyone hates Toronto line, which usually comes from some beer soaked cowboy out Alberta way. You sure showed your colours.
Riding the roads with other cars is really scary. oooooooo! What were you doing, riding your steer through the Royal York lobby.
Too bad, I always thought of Cervelo riders as having some smarts.
Yadayadayadyada. Spoken like a true Torontonian lifer who has probably never lived anywhere else. Dude, I’ve probably seen more of Canada and more of the rest of the world than you have and have never lived in Alberta either, but Toronto has never been #1 on my list or ever will be. I didn’t like it even as a kid, but I’ll admit to having a Toronto aversion or some kind of a Torontophobia. You can defend Toronto all you want but I wouldn’t ever want to live there again ever. Believe it or not, it’s not the center of the universe and the rest of the country doesn’t like you. And the Leafs suck big time. And the motorists on the 401 across the GTA are f*cking idiots. And the GTN (muskoka) has too many Torontonians. You can’t even swim in “the Beaches” because the water is too polluted. And you don’t need your mayor to call in the army every time you get a snowstorm. And there’s a reason why you didn’t get the Olympics. Shall I continue or should we start a “let’s all hate Toronto” thread and watch the Toronta haters/defenders come out of the woodwork.
I could easily live in Montreal, but not T.O.
Compared to most other North American cities, sure it’s a really good city, but unfortunately it’s still Toronto.
were gonna get the pan ams 2015 
.
Somehow I was inferring nothing about Toronto in particular from the report. Perhaps the researchers were based there and the data was more easily accessible there than anywhere else? I got the feeling if they did the same research in a purported bike mecca like Portland, Oregon or even my fair city of Washington DC there is no reason to believe the data would have come out much differently.
I did seem to notice something in the data that shows accidents go down (per km traveled) in cities with bigger bike usage. Still enough to put my bride in freak-out mode when I ride to work in traffic.
as someone who grew up in mississauga, moved to edmonton for a few years (seen the western toronto hatred up close & personal; so many bar fights!), and now lives in KW…i have to agree. i commute on the 401 from KW to 'sauga every day, and the drivers are fucktards at best. i’m not sure i’d ever ride my motorcycle in TO, whereas i love riding around waterloo region and wellington county. the drivers might not be any more skilled or attentive, but at least there are a lot fewer of them, and they seldom try to shave and eat a bowl of cereal while texting 
i did grow up riding my bicycle around mississauga, and it wasn’t too bad, but that was 15 years ago and the traffic has only gotten worse…even in the 'burbs.
these days i go into toronto for concerts (motorhead, rev. horton heat & nashville pussy on wednesday - hell yeah!), and that’s about it.
cheers!
-mistress k
Yadayadayadyada. Spoken like a true Torontonian lifer who has probably never lived anywhere else. Dude, I’ve probably seen more of Canada and more of the rest of the world than you have and have never lived in Alberta either, but Toronto has never been #1 on my list or ever will be. I didn’t like it even as a kid, but I’ll admit to having a Toronto aversion or some kind of a Torontophobia. You can defend Toronto all you want but I wouldn’t ever want to live there again ever. Believe it or not, it’s not the center of the universe and the rest of the country doesn’t like you. And the Leafs suck big time. And the motorists on the 401 across the GTA are f*cking idiots. And the GTN (muskoka) has too many Torontonians. You can’t even swim in “the Beaches” because the water is too polluted. And you don’t need your mayor to call in the army every time you get a snowstorm. And there’s a reason why you didn’t get the Olympics. Shall I continue or should we start a “let’s all hate Toronto” thread and watch the Toronta haters/defenders come out of the woodwork.
I could easily live in Montreal, but not T.O.
Compared to most other North American cities, sure it’s a really good city, but unfortunately it’s still Toronto.
As a part of the original thread I should admit that I never ride a Tri bike in any City and have a very carefully laid out training route that saves me from most of the idiots who drive cars with their right hand while holding a cell phone to their left ear. So the idea that 90% of the accidents are caused by cars is a no brainer, after all how many times when two bikes collide do you have to call in the “jaws of life”.
But to get on the really fun part of this post.
How could I doubt the experience of anyone who uses the term “dude” (did you ever find your car?) and their knowledge of what constitutes the center of the universe, which, of course, everyone knows is London (England!) although some might think Paris or Rome. I don’t need to defend Toronto, from those who know a thing or two. The rest out west. Well let’s just say they suffer from the same problems as Jerry Ford.
Yes the Leafs are repetitive losers, as are The Raptors, The Jays, The Argos, and The Rock, but they are only entertainment, so who cares, at least we get a laugh out of them. Yah gotta love Mel, at least he’s not a “nobody”. The “Beach” (correct term) has cleaner water than Cannes (look it it up). And try to remember the twerps on the 401 are from mostly somewhere else (like you) and you really shouldn’t be riding your bike there.
But I will agree with you on Montreal.
cheers “dud”
ps I bet you still ride your bike on the sidewalk.
This tells me cyclists are to blame 10% of the time.
If you dislike Toronto as much as your classy post indicates why are you paying homage to bike company founded there, wouldn’t Agonguy or Gurudude be more appropriate?
If you dislike Toronto as much as your classy post indicates why are you paying homage to bike company founded there, wouldn’t Agonguy or Gurudude be more appropriate?
The law of unintended consequences rears its ugly head! I had no idea what incendiary issues I was taking a match to when I posted that report. LOL.
Cities are okay except for the humans and concrete
.
I have lived in Toronto for 24 years and have lived in a few cities in the US as well, including Boston, New York and Tallahassee. I ride my bike in Toronto all the time and would take this city over the US cities I have lived in any day. Sure you get the odd a**hole, but for the most part the drivers here are aware of the cyclists and do their best to give us room. I live close to a major north/south street that many cyclists use to commute on in the morning rush. I am always impressed with the drivers along that route since they give the cyclists lots of room - usually switching to the middle lane to pass.
Anyone who complains about drivers on the 401 has not tried to drive the southeast expressway in Boston lately. I am a very good driver, but that highway makes me nervous. Boston drivers are unbelievably bad when it comes to signaling or just plain common manners. I don’t hate Boston because of it. In fact, I love that city, but I’m just more careful when I drive there.
Your comments are nothing more than silly stereotype that has been given to this city simple because it’s the largest city in Canada. This is an incredible city with lots to offer anyone, no matter what your interests. I have visited Montreal several times and would never, ever live there. It’s just not as livable a city as Toronto. This is a wonderful city to raise children in too and I don’t think you can say that about Montreal.
I don’t get the “I hate Toronto” stuff that goes on in this country. I think it has something to do with the Canadian attitude that pushes down anyone who does really well. As long as Toronto is a thriving city, then the rest of the country hates it. Go figure.
I have visited Montreal several times and would never, ever live there. It’s just not as livable a city as Toronto. This is a wonderful city to raise children in too and I don’t think you can say that about Montreal.
Huh? While I appreciate your preference for TO, I’m curious as to why you’d say Montreal is not a great place to raise kids? Or, if it’s easier, why you think Toronto is better?
Perhaps it’s jut because when I’ve been in Montreal, I have been only in the downtown core, so my opinion is biased by that. I didn’t see very many livable parts of the downtown core where I would enjoy living and raising children. In that case, it’s similar to NYC. I absolutely love NYC, but would never live there with kids. I realize lots of people do it and love it, but it’s just not for me. I get a similar sense in Montreal, however I’ve never lived there so perhaps I should have said that in my post above.
I was also surprised at the number of people who felt the need to have steering wheel locks on their cars. That freaked me out a bit. Are stolen cars that big a problem in Montreal that 3 in 4 cars have a steering wheel lock?
I am not saying this to detract from what a great city Montreal is and I apologize if that’s how it’s coming across. I jump at every chance I have to visit. I just feel that Toronto has as much to offer and I don’t get the Toronto-haters.
I’d agree that if you were only downtown - i.e. shopping, tourism district, you wouldn’t see many child-friendly neighborhoods. That said, there are many wonderful areas proximate to downtown, and Montreal is blessed with a suburban sprawl on par with the best of them… lol. I lived in TO for 5 yrs; I enjoyed my time there, and there are things that I miss. That said, tho’, I was in Markham, and so not truly “Toronto”, I suppose… Toronto does have as much to offer - more, in certain areas such as sports and live theatre - but Montreal more than holds its own. I didn’t sense any detraction in your post; I was just curious.
Montreal is the stolen car capital of the free world, yes…well, not really, but the GMA is way above average… insurance COs offer discounts, too, for the clubs…
I’ve lived in Vancouver for 22 years, Montreal for 5 years, and Toronto for 2 years (am now back in Vancouver). They are all very different, and great, cities.
I learned to hate Toronto growing up in Vancouver because of western Canadian insecurity, then hated it going to McGill because of Quebec insecurity. Then I lived in Toronto and discovered I really liked it despite the city’s own self-hatred.
I learned that the Canadian trait of insecurity is actually headquartered in Toronto itself. No one outside of Toronto is harder on the city than Torontonians themselves. They seem to live in constant doubt as to whether their city is “world-class.” Get over it. It’s a great city by any measure. Safe, cultured, walkable, bikeable, healthy, green, prosperous–you name it.
The Leafs, however, still suck.
Interesting article on bike safety, thanks for the link.
Graham
I’ve lived in Vancouver for 22 years, Montreal for 5 years, and Toronto for 2 years (am now back in Vancouver). They are all very different, and great, cities.
I learned to hate Toronto growing up in Vancouver because of western Canadian insecurity, then hated it going to McGill because of Quebec insecurity. Then I lived in Toronto and discovered I really liked it despite the city’s own self-hatred.
I learned that the Canadian trait of insecurity is actually headquartered in Toronto itself. No one outside of Toronto is harder on the city than Torontonians themselves. They seem to live in constant doubt as to whether their city is “world-class.” Get over it. It’s a great city by any measure. Safe, cultured, walkable, bikeable, healthy, green, prosperous–you name it.
The Leafs, however, still suck.
Interesting article on bike safety, thanks for the link.
Graham
Being an American and a HUGE hockey fan, Canadian insecurity is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the game. We LOVE it when Canadian puck heads get all bent out of shape when a Russian wins MVP over their chosen one or that they are rarely favorites any more in international competition. Poking them is like poking your little brother when you were 10 years old; the only reason you do it is because you KNOW he’s gonna react. (Stand by for Canadian to reply that Sid has now won a Cup. Wait for it…)
Best part of watching HNIC on Saturday night is watching the home fans at ACC boo the Leafs when they drop a game to the Sens or Habs. Self-loathing at its finest!
Toronto: still Cup free for my entire life (born July '67) !!
I think our cars get stolen but I also think the club is a status thing. Somehow the locals think their souped up civics and pontiac sunfires are worth stealing. Then again, where and when were you downtown? I haven’t seen steering wheel locks in a looong time. And I work in the core, and often times walk in the Mcgill ghetto. I also used to live just a few blocks from McGill and parked my new civic on the street and it was never stolen. (But it wasn’t souped up. hahaha)
I agree that raising children downtown is not my preference, but I don’t see any difference with the conditions of Toronto and Montreal downtown cores, except that Toronto’s is bigger. That said, I find it a lot quicker to get out of downtown Montreal than Toronto. It seems to me that people live a lot farther out of the center of Toronto to get affordable “nice” housing, than Montrealers going to Laval or the south shore. Maybe not geographically, but Toronto certainly has a much larger traffic problem than Montreal. If anything, after living with my farm raised gf for five years, ideally my kids will grow up in the countryside so none of this really matters to me.
Back to the OP, I think its an interesting statistic to draw upon, but I wonder why government doesn’t do more to raise awareness with it.