– You have to drive defensively, or you are driven to death, says cyclist in Oslo, Petter Kongshaug. Disagreements between cyclists and motorists have characterized the traffic picture for many years. For who really has the right on his side? A new survey from Trygg Trafikk shows that there is a high level of conflict between those on two and four wheels on Norwegian roads. – They are most dangerous Kongshaug says that he just as it is ends up in dangerous situations with motorists in the city. – Most dangerous are motorists who move into the bike lane, and those who do not give a signal when they are about to turn, he says. AVOID CENTER: Petter Kongshaug says that he cycles detours to avoid dangerous situations. Photo: Vegar Erstad Oslo city center, he tries to stay away when cycling, and instead chooses detours to avoid scary situations with motorists. Kongshaug believes the solution to the problem is a better public transport service and more facilitation for cyclists. Leave the bike standing In Hamar, several bike lanes have been developed. Andrea Thoresen still often leaves the bike standing. – I do not use them that often. I think it gets very close to the cars, and unsafe situations can arise. LET STAND: Andrea Thoresen often leaves the bike standing because she fears unsafe situations. Nevertheless, she thinks that most motorists are decent in traffic. – But I notice that some are a little angry and not so happy with us. But most people pay attention, says Andrea. NO CONFLICT: Nikolai Bølla has not experienced conflicts with cyclists. Photo: Ola Almås Jullumstrø / news Nikolai Bølla does not recognize the survey. He does not drive so often on roads where there are bicycle lanes, but on the country road he thinks the cyclists are good at staying on the edge so that he can drive past. – I think it goes well and have not experienced conflicts, he says. The experts fear accidents Senior adviser Paal-Gunnar Mathisen in Trygg Trafikk does not like the high level of conflict in the survey carried out on behalf of Trygg Trafikk and Tryg insurance. Among those who have cycled at least once in the past year, 47 per cent answer that they feel that motorists do not pay enough attention. – Lack of interaction and irritation between road users can easily lead to dangerous situations and accidents, and is thus a problem in itself, he says. He emphasizes that cyclists have as much right to use the roadway as motorists, and that motorists have a special responsibility to show consideration for soft road users. Nearly 27 percent of those who have cycled in the past year say they have experienced conflicts with motorists. CONCERNED: Senior adviser Paal-Gunnar Mathisen in Trygg Trafikk is concerned about the high level of conflict in traffic. Photo: Safe traffic – The level of conflict between cyclists and cars is far too high. Cyclists have the right to feel safe in traffic, and this clearly shows that there is a need to separate the road user groups from each other, says Mathisen. He says that conflicts do not belong in traffic. The head of Trygg Trafikk i Innlandet, Marianne Mittet Solbraa, believes that too many motorists forget that they have been cyclists when they get into the car, and vice versa. – If we manage to take the other person’s perspective and always pay attention to the weakest, then it will go much, much better, she believes.
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Conflicts between cyclists and motorists create dangerous situations, says Trygg Trafikk – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
