John Forester speaking at Google

Here is an interesting talk given by the father of vehicular cycling, John Forester, to employees at Google in Mountain View, California. This video is well worth an hour of your time, and will be sure to help you understand the issues around this very controversial topic.

Central to John Forester's message is the idea that cyclists fare best when they behave as and are treated as drivers of vehicles. John addresses the history of urban development in the United States from 1950 on, and explains why he believes we cannot realize the car-free Utopian vision of bicycle advocates.

We can, however, enjoy all the many benefits of cycling on the roads as they exist in safety and comfort, if we diligently learn the skills necessary to do so, and follow the vehicle code as it is equitably applied to all road users.