I’m a pedestrian when
I feel like itI’m less likely to die that way and I’m a car whenI feel like itI’m less likely to die that way.Build inclusive infrastructure for all. I dream of a world with all-gender restrooms and proper urban design.
I see it both ways. Cycling is my main form of transportation but even I get furious when dudes are flying down a crowded sidewalk rather than the road or the bikelane one street away. Sometimes, sure, it’s about safety but a lot of times it feels like “but I don’t wanna go all the way to the bikelane!”
Hell, yesterday I saw a guy on an electric bike rocketing around and nearly hitting folks on the sidewalk rather than ride on the fairly empty, generally slow, two lane road.
Yeah, thats true. I see that as general disrespect though, not a purely cyclist thing. Put that ebike guy in a lifted pickup truck and they’d be driving like a fuckhead too.
Good point. Assholes gonna asshole.
There’s a two lane road near my home that clearly states the bike lane is for bikes only, under any non-emergency circumstances. I’ve seen bikers almost killed as well as almost getting rear ended or side swiped by people flying down the bike lane to make the right that I make at the intersection from the middle of the road, as prescribed. I understand the complaints but you’ll never catch me on a road of any sort in America with a bike. It’s just not worth the risk. So everyone is (except the crazy bikers that use the lane) on the sidewalk. It’s just a symptom of poor design. And unfortunately everyone will include those assholes almost hitting people on the sidewalk.
There have been studies on riding on sidewalks vs the road. The issue is that you’re rapidly transitioning between road and sidewalk. When you’re a pedestrian, you can take the extra time to take in your surroundings before making a step into the intersection. Drivers also are expecting walking speeds going on and off sidewalks.
You’re basically hiding from traffic while you’re on the sidewalk, then popping your head out every time you cross an intersection.
https://www.bicyclinglife.com/Library/Accident-Study.pdf
Overtaking accidents, in which a bicyclist in the roadway was struck from behind by a motorist traveling in the same direction, accounted for only 5 of 314 bicycle-motor vehicle collisions, and sideswipes for 8. The remaining non-intersection collisions included those in which a bicyclist overtook a parked or parking motor vehicle, a motorist opened the door of a parked car into the bicyclist’s path, or a motorist or bicyclist changed lanes improperly.
That quote clearly shows most of the danger is from cars against the curb. Its why i absolutely will pass a parked car on the sidewalk if its clear. Even if theres a bike lane, if some asshole is parking on it or using it to drive in then theyre forcing me either into the middle of the road or onto the sidewalk, im gonna choose the sidewalk. The exception is if i can tell they’re turning right and then i always go to the left of them, because noone ever checks the fucking bike lane before turning.
Ahhh, I’m lucky enough to live in a Canadian city that is aggressively bikeable.
I heard if you accidentally bump into a handle bar of somebody speeding down a sidewalk, the sudden shift in bike balance usually makes them fall.
Ahaha true. But as much as those folks annoy me, I don’t want to hurt them.
My weight plus a bicycle = maybe 200lbs
The lowest weight car = like 2500lbs
Hmmm maybe there’s a reason I don’t act like a car all the time
Honestly such a great perk of riding a bike. The road rules almost exclusively favour cars and negatively impact cyclists. It’s nice to have a tiny slither of advantage.
Honestly, one of the reasons I’m skipping eBike for an eMotorcycle. Remove that temptation, and keep up with traffic on a frame/suspension that’s actually designed for it.
