How can we make the roads safer for those who share the road with Thesis

How can we make the roads safer for those who share the road with bicyclists - Thesis Example Bicycle is emerging as a popular mode of transport and it gives its hundred percent to the owner. The question can be answered by addressing the psychology of the road users of different types of vehicles and better traffic education by the controlling authorities. The roads must be safer for all those who share them with bicyclists. Every life is precious, that of the rider on the bicycle or the gentleman driving the car. An accident is an accident and we know that it is an accident only when it happens! Deaths and injuries from car-bike collisions are common. It’s a human problem: The blame game-the motorists claiming the exclusive rights on the road, and the cyclists demanding equal rights-- is no solution to the issue. For road fatalities, cyclists are not alone responsible. The reasons are varied. Carelessness of the adventurous rider, mechanical problems, and bad road conditions are some of them. The cyclists demand their right on the road along with safety. An individua l must first live to exercise the right! It is not a posthumous award! The argument that if there is no bicycle lane, the road should be out of bound for the cyclists, may be technically correct, but it defies solution. The motorists need to give up the How can we make the roads safer for bicyclists AND those who share the road with bicyclists? stand that they are born to race the car at 100-120 km per hour, from the moment it is out of the garage till the final destination, is a greedy and one-sided approach. Limit the speed and accommodate the bicycle riders, instead of going ballistic over them. While tendering the advice I would address the session for the bicyclists first and urge them to follow the rules scrupulously. It is not a circus performance. Never zigzag to challenge the oncoming cars. Self-discipline is the life-saver. Cyclists demand rights on a city road, and that underlines perfect regard for the traffic rules. The end-results should be a win-win situation for all. The argument of the motorists that they have the exclusive rights to use the roads, for which they pay tax in dollars, is not perfect. Cyclists too have paid taxes at the time of purchasing the bicycle (though indirectly) and they are citizens of the country subject to all other tax laws and rights guaranteed under the Constitution. Motorists have not been conferred with special rights. Not legal arguments, it’s the question of smooth flow of traffic No traffic law can be applied strictly under all circumstances. The question needs to be addressed prudently from the point of view of flow of traffic in a particular area/city. For example, the traffic rules for the cyclists in the heart of the New York City and its distant suburbs needs to be different. The traffic police, with their expertise and experience, frames well-meaning rules for motorists and cyclists and it is in the interest of both to follow the rules. How can we make the roads safer for bicyclists AND those who s hare the road with bicyclists? Saving precious lives is more important than winning legal points in arguments. The one, who travels on bicycle, does so, not necessarily on account of non-affordability of a motor vehicle due to economic considerations, but may be due to the reality one has to face about the traffic congestion on city streets. Cycling the distance has turned out to be an alternative mode of transport, and the issue has to be understood in that perspective. It is in the best

The Role of Scenario Planning in Exploring the Environment Essay

The Role of Scenario Planning in Exploring the Environment - Essay Example Increasing pressure on the resource, and factors to its production, however, identifies concerns over trends in its future market. These lead to the question, ‘how will the crude oil industry affect our country’s economy and households’ livelihoods in the year 2020?’ Trends in the crude oil industry identify many uncertainties, both short term and long term. Seasonal weather conditions that affect energy consumption levels in traveling and heating determines variable demand levels and prices of crude oil. Adverse weather phenomena such as hurricanes also hamper production process to influence supply, and subsequently price of crude oil. Other factors that influence trends in the industry include resolutions by OPEC, production cost, and technological developments for the industry’s applications. Increasing demand for oil by emerging Asian economies such as China and India is another driver to the industry’s trend (Nrcan 2010). Similarly, increasing global demand for oil indicates future demand concerns (Opec 2012). The industry’s critical uncertainties are demand and adverse weather conditions. Demand has a high potential level because it dictates the industry’s quantity of production and influences prices at given supply capacities. It is however uncertain because of possible changes such as the emergence of expanding economies and development of alternative sources of energy. Adverse weather conditions also dictate the ability to mine crude oil and are highly unpredictable, being natural conditions (Nrcan 2010; Opec 2012). Demand for crude oil identifies two extremes, high demand relative to supply and low demand relative to supply while weather conditions identify existence of adverse weather conditions and favorable weather. The two factors generate four scenarios as shown below (Burt 2006). A favorable condition will occur under high demand for crude oil and simultaneous favorable weather conditions. This would mean an active economy that utilizes energy for production activities and household needs. Availability of oil due to good weather would also mean sufficient supply and consequently favorable prices.