I prefer wide sidewalks and dedicated bicycle lanes, TYVM.
No gotcha!
1 Like
Here is a good reply to any “All cyclists…” argument. 
5 Likes
Right up to the point where he announces that he is paid/supported to complain about people who complain about cyclists.
There’s your answer then
1 Like
Why don’t you push your car past dangerous crossings…?
1 Like
I don’t drive a car.
1 Like
4 Likes
So like, what’s the use of bringing it then?
1 Like
I’m not going to play ridiculous games of semantics.
The problem we have as a culture is the privileged and entitled calling the shots – the same issue that is driving the BLM, Anti-Fascist, Anti-Ableist, Pro-LGBTQ+, Wealth Gap – any current movement that is in pursuit of inclusiveness.
We’re simply not taking into consideration any person who is, gets, or is forced into “less than” because those in power decide what’s important mainly because it suits them (aka Cars over Bicycles/Pedestrians). If any system is going to succeed, it needs to show compassion for the most vulnerable citizens and protect them from the actions resulting from entitlement and privilege that would harm or kill them. Full stop.
5 Likes
Which was precisely my point.
If you cycle on a sidewalk you are not showing compassion or consideration. In an ideal world there would be no need, but we do not have that world in all circumstances, so while you inhabit the area reserved for pedestrians you act as a pedestrian.
1 Like
So, when you are at serious risk of being killed because of narrow roadways in busy sectors, you should just suck it up and hope you don’t get hit? That’s how a hit and run driver broke my collarbone.
Responsible bicyclists use sidewalks because there simply isn’t anywhere else to go. And no, I am not advocating for riding as one normally would on the street, but by exercising extra caution around pedestrians. I’m not an asshole.
You’re using the same fallacy as the haters in cars (all cyclists bad), but from the other side.
4 Likes
Look, if you lazy, entitled cyclists can’t even be bothered to have the entire world’s infrastructure reshaped to meet your selfish needs and wants, what the hell do you expect?
2 Likes
ducks in So… how’s this thread going, my peeps…
Welp… bike, drive, and walk safely on our city streets all…
6 Likes
I did not write anything like that. You are using the same excuses and entitlement as the driver uses for threatening cyclists and other “less than” road users. If you force pedestrians to accommodate you on a sidewalk and you aren’t five years old you are being selfish.
2 Likes
What’s the rationale behind the age cutoff? And what is the age cutoff?
A tight squeeze with 2-ton guided missiles vs a tight squeeze and a courteous “on your left” as I pass pedestrians?
ETA: Those close brushes that cars were doing on camera in the video above weren’t staged. That’s the daily issue for bicyclists.
3 Likes
I know, I have experienced them myself. I have also been hit and run by a driver (and knocked through the rear windscreen of a parked car, the road was not particularly narrow or busy). But pushing my problems onto others is not the solution a responsible cyclist should use. If I had to go through a section that I felt was dangerous I would get off my bike and walk it past the risk (or find another less risky route), not find an excuse to inconvenience other road users unnecessarily.
I expect there is a gif for that too.
2 Likes
For miles? You obviously haven’t lived in places I’ve lived.
2 Likes
So just for the record, there is a park here where there is a dedicated bike path and a dedicated pedestrian path for a while, and then they merge and for a long section there is a path dedicated to both. And you know what?
It works great. Because the path is wide enough and you can go off to the side, everyone just sort of instinctively knows how to deal with one another. I have been there many times, both on foot and on bike, and I have seen exactly one problem. Where someone on a bicycle was cut off from going around someone, and was going too fast to stop, and so fell into the shrubs so as not to hit them. Cyclists and pedestrians can co-exist fine.
It’s harder for cyclists and drivers to co-exist because of the speeds involved. They do here too, but there’s at least a bit more tension. Because if nothing else the bikes can’t help but annoy at lights for instance with how slow they accelerate, and while most drivers are accommodating, unlike a park you get everyone on the roads and the exceptions are frightening. But I still for instance have met to people who bike to work every day the weather permits.
That’s my experience and I fully expect it is different in lots of places. But just to be clear, then, that’s either because of the design of those places or because of how aggressive people learn to drive or cycle, if it isn’t simply the an illusion as the article says. Because contrary to so many of the arguments above, it’s entirely possible for these different modes of transport to get along fine. I’ve seen it.
6 Likes
And mass. And degree of difficulty when drunk or otherwise impaired.
4 Likes
Cycling is one of those topics that routinely attracts that kind if bullshit around here, especially versus cars and/or peds. It’s why more than a few of us look with dread on a cycling thread with so many comments. Believe me, it’s not you. Thank you for sharing the article.
5 Likes
