They really need to educate cyclists in peel about bike lanes. My neighborhood and every street around it has bike lanes, yet I regularly get passed by bikes on the sidewalk as the road and bike lane sits empty. Those bikes zipping past me are just as scary to me as cars are to cyclists, so just use the bike lanes
I’m all for biking and reducing car lanes for bike lanes. But the original argument was being passed on the sidewalk (which bikes should not be on, even if there aren’t bike lanes) when bike lanes are present right there.
Obviously getting hit by a car is so much worse. No one is debating that. Is this an example of a straw man argument?
Anyways, bikes should not be on the sidewalk and more bike lanes are a good thing.
Oh sorry. I didn’t think that’s what you were getting at. I agree at least to an extent. When biking, I only ever go on the sidewalk if I’m getting off my bike to cross at a light or something.
But yes, many bike lanes are not safe, and the amount of people who either don’t know, or don’t care about the proper etiquette of bikers in those lanes is frankly terrifying. Not to mention road rage when you’re on a bike and someone is in a vehicle.
Obviously there is much more thought that has to go into new planning of bike lanes and such.
(Sorry, my other reply may have been somewhat confrontational, wasn’t my intention).
When 2 tons of metal guided by tired humans that can barely see me while going twice my maximum speed less than a foot away from me is a “bike lane”, I’d rather walk than risk death at far too early in the morning. Especially when that “bike lane” is broken up by parked cars.
At least give me a curb. A protected bike lane is the bare minimum I’d wager my life with, even with the danger of right hooks. Those cars could instantly kill entire families, and you want me to ride next to semi trucks, separated by paint?
Agreed. I’ve almost been “doored” at least a few times (although no bike lanes were on those streets), but even that can be fatal to a cyclist.
Obviously I try to look and see if someone is in the car and opening the door, but that “reach around” technique is there for a reason.
Sorry, I can’t remember the name of it when you use your right hand to open the door (in the countries that drive on the right side) so you can see what’s coming. But I like calling it the reach around.
Then walk! Don’t risk your life. But don’t stay on your bike and risk the life of pedestrians and cause then the same stress cars cause you when you’re cycling. That’s just inconsiderate. I live in an area filled with elderly people who can easily get killed by a cyclist crashing into them. You’re scared to ride your bike even in the bike lane? Fine. Put the bike away and walk. Don’t become the problem to someone else
I’m sorry, do you think bikes are incapable of slowing down? Do you think walking should be protected as a hobby? Do you think the answer to better transportation is less transportation?
Your answer is to get a car or wake up at 4:30. I’d love to have an actual bike lane where I can go faster, but that’s not always possible. If the only acceptable place for a bike is dedicated infrastructure, bikes will never be used.
Reckless driving is one thing, but excluding bicycles from 99.99% of North America is a crazy reaction. It’s difficult to even find data about pedestrian-cyclists collisions; based on hospital data in the UK only 2% of pedestrian deaths or serious injuries are caused by collisions with bicycles, while 96% are caused by motor vehicles.
If you’re so worried, make sure to support public transit and cycle infrastructure. I’d love to use separate lane pathways, or even better light rail, but until then I need to bike and not die.
Only assholes on bikes would do that on sidewalks. But they’re the same assholes who blow through stop signs and red lights on their bikes.
I do feel that those incredibly inconsiderate and dangerous bikers spoil it for everyone, but I’d like to think at least most (half… hopefully?) of us respect the laws and safety. I would get off my bike before getting on the sidewalk if people (especially children) were present.
They really need to educate cyclists in peel about bike lanes. My neighborhood and every street around it has bike lanes, yet I regularly get passed by bikes on the sidewalk as the road and bike lane sits empty. Those bikes zipping past me are just as scary to me as cars are to cyclists, so just use the bike lanes
I also dislike being passed by cyclists on the sidewalk but, it’s not really equivalent to cars.
Car hitting a cyclist is far more likely to have severe injuries/death than a bike hitting a person.
I’m all for biking and reducing car lanes for bike lanes. But the original argument was being passed on the sidewalk (which bikes should not be on, even if there aren’t bike lanes) when bike lanes are present right there.
Obviously getting hit by a car is so much worse. No one is debating that. Is this an example of a straw man argument?
Anyways, bikes should not be on the sidewalk and more bike lanes are a good thing.
Responding specifically to “those bikes zipping past me are just as scary to me as cars are to cyclists”
I do agree that if there’s a safe bike lane, cyclists should be using it, not the sidewalk. I wouldn’t classify all bike lanes as ‘safe’ tho
Oh sorry. I didn’t think that’s what you were getting at. I agree at least to an extent. When biking, I only ever go on the sidewalk if I’m getting off my bike to cross at a light or something.
But yes, many bike lanes are not safe, and the amount of people who either don’t know, or don’t care about the proper etiquette of bikers in those lanes is frankly terrifying. Not to mention road rage when you’re on a bike and someone is in a vehicle.
Obviously there is much more thought that has to go into new planning of bike lanes and such.
(Sorry, my other reply may have been somewhat confrontational, wasn’t my intention).
Agreed :) no worries
Thanks :).
When 2 tons of metal guided by tired humans that can barely see me while going twice my maximum speed less than a foot away from me is a “bike lane”, I’d rather walk than risk death at far too early in the morning. Especially when that “bike lane” is broken up by parked cars.
At least give me a curb. A protected bike lane is the bare minimum I’d wager my life with, even with the danger of right hooks. Those cars could instantly kill entire families, and you want me to ride next to semi trucks, separated by paint?
Agreed. I’ve almost been “doored” at least a few times (although no bike lanes were on those streets), but even that can be fatal to a cyclist.
Obviously I try to look and see if someone is in the car and opening the door, but that “reach around” technique is there for a reason.
Sorry, I can’t remember the name of it when you use your right hand to open the door (in the countries that drive on the right side) so you can see what’s coming. But I like calling it the reach around.
Then walk! Don’t risk your life. But don’t stay on your bike and risk the life of pedestrians and cause then the same stress cars cause you when you’re cycling. That’s just inconsiderate. I live in an area filled with elderly people who can easily get killed by a cyclist crashing into them. You’re scared to ride your bike even in the bike lane? Fine. Put the bike away and walk. Don’t become the problem to someone else
I’m sorry, do you think bikes are incapable of slowing down? Do you think walking should be protected as a hobby? Do you think the answer to better transportation is less transportation?
Your answer is to get a car or wake up at 4:30. I’d love to have an actual bike lane where I can go faster, but that’s not always possible. If the only acceptable place for a bike is dedicated infrastructure, bikes will never be used.
Reckless driving is one thing, but excluding bicycles from 99.99% of North America is a crazy reaction. It’s difficult to even find data about pedestrian-cyclists collisions; based on hospital data in the UK only 2% of pedestrian deaths or serious injuries are caused by collisions with bicycles, while 96% are caused by motor vehicles.
If you’re so worried, make sure to support public transit and cycle infrastructure. I’d love to use separate lane pathways, or even better light rail, but until then I need to bike and not die.
Do you feel safe biking on a road with a painted line “protecting” you from drivers?
Removed by mod
Only assholes on bikes would do that on sidewalks. But they’re the same assholes who blow through stop signs and red lights on their bikes.
I do feel that those incredibly inconsiderate and dangerous bikers spoil it for everyone, but I’d like to think at least most (half… hopefully?) of us respect the laws and safety. I would get off my bike before getting on the sidewalk if people (especially children) were present.
See the following video for why this happens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDf8CwcBdiw
Agreed. Cyclists should not be on the sidewalk. Although, I feel that (hopefully) it’s the minority of asshole cyclists that would do that.
The same that would run stop signs or red lights, or get on the sidewalk from the road to use the pedestrian crosswalk.
A fast moving cyclist can easily injure a person (especially a child or elderly person) when riding on the sidewalk.
I frequently bike and use the lanes (or street if there are no lanes), just to avoid those possibilities.