Cycling in Minneapolis: How to Improve Interactions Between Cyclists and MotoristsMark B. HussianEdina High SchoolCycling in Minneapolis: How to Improve Interactions Between Cyclists and MotoristsIntroductionCycling is a means of transportation around the world very popular due to its simplicity and cost, however in America we don't seem to welcome all motorcyclists. European countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands have the highest number of cyclists in their cities. The BBC states that the Netherlands has more bicycles than inhabitants and that 70% of trips made in the Netherlands are made by bicycle. To encourage cycling they have enacted very cyclist-friendly laws, the BBC states that “to make cycling safer and more inviting the Dutch have built an extensive network of cycle paths. These are clearly signposted, have smooth surfaces, separate signage and lights for those on two wheels, and wide enough to allow side-by-side cycling and overtaking. In many cities the routes are completely separated from motorized traffic. Sometimes, where space is limited and both have to share, you can see signs showing the image of a cyclist with a car behind accompanied by the words 'Bike Street: cars are guests'. Even at roundabouts, the priority is whoever uses the pedal." Here in America many cyclists get hit at roundabouts every year, I myself have been hit a few times while riding around. “You can go around a roundabout while cars (almost always) patiently wait for you to pass. The idea that 'the bike is the right one' is such a foreign concept to cycling tourists that many often find it difficult to orient themselves.” (BBC 2013) In America many drivers do not see bicycles as equals on the road, I myself have seen cars purposely push motorcyclists off the road... middle of paper... on university campuses." Students use the cycling for as many as 52% of all their trips (Wegman & Aarts, 2006). Cycling poses relatively high safety and health risks (DVS, 2008; SWOV, 2006). registered cyclists was halved during the period 1987-2005 (from 311 to 151 per year), and the annual number of hospitalized patients also decreased (from 3,093 in 1987 to 2,186 in 2005), the proportion of cyclists killed out of the total of deaths is relatively high (SWOV, 2006), the percentage of cyclists killed was 23% of all fatal road accidents and cyclist injuries accounted for 43% of all road accidents,” says Gerjo Kok. this shows that we have reduced the number of accidents, but we still have a long way to go. we have improved the overall safety of our riders but it would be nice if it was as safe as driving a car.