Glossary
A collection of terms commonly used when discussing the bicycle transportation issues. As time permits, a discussion of each definition will be expanded through content elsewhere on the site in order to facilitate further discussion. If the reader feels additional terms merit inclusion on this list, please feel free to contact the administrator.
Glossary of Terms
Bike Lane
an on-street facility deigned for use by bicycles, which is separated from the regular travel lanes by a painted stripe.
Bike Path
a grade separated cycling facility located away from the normal roadway on which bicycles can operate free of motor vehicles. Usually interchangeable with an MUP.
Bike Route
a signed or stenciled route on a local street which has been identified as being friendly for novice or timid cyclists; also used for directional purposes.
CIC
Cyclist Inferiority Complex: an unofficial psychological disorder afflicting some cyclists. It is manifest in the belief that operation of a bicycle in a vehicular manner, on the roadway, will lead to certain serious injury or death. It can also be influenced by or manifest through the attitudes of motorists and governmental staff toward cyclists.
Cycle Track
a segregated cycling facility located adjacent to the roadway. Similar to a sidewalk, it is usually separated through the use of bollards, curbs or other architectural features to protect against incursion by motorists.
FTR
Far to Right: a statutory rule specifically requiring a cyclist to stay as far to the right as practicable.
MBL
Mandatory Bike Lane: a statutory requirement that cyclists use a delineated, on-road bike lane if one is present.
MSP
Mandatory Side Path: a statutory requirement that cyclists use an adjacent, off-road MUP or sidewalk if one is present.
MUP
Multi-Use Path: a recreational facility designed for use by a wide range of pedestrian and non-motorized conveyances (e.g. bicycles, skaters, scooter, equestrians, etc.)
SMV
Slow Moving Vehicle: a vehicle which, by its very nature of operation, is incapable of achieving a speed comparable to other roadway users.
SWSS
Single Witness Suicide Swerve: ascribing blame to a cyclist following a fatal crash involving a motor vehicle and whose only surviving witnesses is the instrumental motorist.
VC
Vehicular Cycling: the philosophy and practice of operating a bicycle on the roadway and in the manner of a legitimate, legally recognized vehicle. This term must not be confused with the more general concept of bicycle commuting.
More enlightened content here.
5 comments:
PM is aware of this already, but that list is a work in progress. If anyone has suggestions for additional terms, please feel free to submit them.
I think the last glossary item would better avoid being confused with "transportation cycling" in general, rather than the narrower concept of "cycle commuting."
VC is a METHODOLOGY of cycling, transportational (or commute) is a PURPOSE in cycling.
Methodology and purpose are clearly not one and the same. Neither precludes the other.
Just my inane 2 cents...
@Steve
"Just my inane 2 cents..."
Ah, petulant passive-aggression.
Actually, this is not an inane suggestion. You make a valid point which escaped my initial draft, Steve. Based upon your critique, I have changed "bicycle commuting" to "transportation cycling". Thanks. :-)
I do not necessarily agree with your suggestion regarding the use of methodology, instead of philosophy. A philosophy is a system of ideas; a critical study of fundamental beliefs. Methodology - being a body of methods, rules and postulates - is an accurate description as well. However, I see no need to belabor the descriptors and chose the conceptual term.
Methodology ought to be a given, IMO, when discussing transportation cycling. The right of free travel on the roadway is accompanied by the responsibility to adhere to the methods, rules and postulates inherent with that right. Those who choose to digress from those tenets do so by conscious choice or ignorance - both reflect incompetence. Doing what is correct and expected is a conscious decision; an application of finding the fundamental expectations valid.
As an example, earlier today Paul posted this rather exceptional and enlightening commentary about his vehicular cycling revelation. He writes,
"There are debates as to how safe it is to be out there among speeding motor vehicles, but the consensus among those who have tried VC seems to be that there an increase in safety, largely due to the effect that VC has on giving the cyclist more control over his situation."
For the most part, I cannot disagree with anything he wrote, except:
"Vehicular cycling isn't for everyone, but it is worth knowing about."
This sentiment is incorrect. Vehicular cycling is required for anyone seeking to operate legally and responsibly for transportation on the roadway. It is required, because, by law, we are afforded the same rights and responsibilities as any motor vehicle. Motorists are required to adhere to a certain set of rules and principles or they risk monetary forfeiture or license revocation. Rules enforcement is, unfortunately, rarely applied to cyclists and we have no license to forfeit. Nevertheless, should strive to operate in a confident and predictable manner so that we will be afforded the respect to which we are entitled.
Herman said; "Rules enforcement is, unfortunately, rarely applied to cyclists..."
This annoys me no end. Bicycle specific rules and traffic law, on the whole, work together to compel cyclists to operate in a safe and predictable manner.
From a public safety standpoint, vigorous enforcement ought to be applied to operators of bicycles.
Local police officers would be working in their own self-interest to cite scofflaw bicycle behavior- especially ninja, salmon and sidewalk riding. A traffic citation involves far less paperwork than a car/bicycle wreck!
The fact that TBC doesn't see that demanding these behaviors be curtailed as a fruitful avenue for bicycle advocacy demonstrates that Texas's cyclists need better advocates. It seems to me that TBC cares very little for the actual welfare of those they claim to represent.
Post a Comment