Bicycle "streetscapes": Perception is not the same as real safety

Advocates of "streetscape improvements" for bicyclists are fond of saying that such things as dedicated spaces for bicycling will add to the perception that bicycling on the street is safe. But now they are going too far -- saying that such facilities are, in fact, safer. But the jury's still out -- and it may be that while you're less likely to be injured while in such side paths, the absolute number of injuries to bicyclists will go up. So let's have some restraint, streetscape advocates, or else cough up some hard data.