Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
There are 'societal' issues at play. You can do all of this without (much) enforcement, if people actually care.Until the speed limits are so low that walking and cycling become the norm and car usage drops, which should be everyone's end goal. This would save everyone's health, the environment and keep everyone safe.
Where I currently am there is absolutely no cycling-specific infrastructure at all, in the town or outside. There is precious little in the way of footpaths, even in some of the 'urban' areas. Outside the town there are no footpaths. Yet there is vastly more walking taking place on the rural roads than there is around Stafford - because you are generally fairly safe. Drivers take cognisance of what is going on and all road users are treated with respect.
Riding a bike round here can be slightly embarrassing to someone used to the Wall of Death routine around Stafford - people sometimes hang back so long before making absolutely sure that overtaking is safe, that I often expect to see a driving test examiner in the car.
Part of the success of 'mixed traffic' in such places as the Netherlands may also be due to the people's attitudes, particularly motorists.