Lately, I've heard a lot of JAMs yelling to get on the sidewalk around here. I even had a neighbor ask me mid-ride from his driveway why I didn't ride on sidewalks, prompting an explanation he didn't seem to quite get. Now, I know a lot of people are familiar with this...but it seems strange to me. I've only been riding a bike for a little over a year now, but since the day I got it I've pretty much ridden every single day, and this spring/summer is about the only time I started to hear this.
I have also seen an unusual number of cyclists on sidewalks lately. Some are going against traffic, and one thing I found kind of funny was a guy riding on a sidewalk against traffic right next to a bike lane, towards a crosswalk where the walk/don't walk light has been broken for years. Not sure if he knew that, but anyway...
It seems like my area is becoming a little more hostile to cyclists in traffic, and I'm seeing fewer than in the past. I live in TN and I'm glad that the bill to mandate 3' passing space went through, but I sort of doubt it's going to have much effect on driver behavior.
Has anyone else noticed more hostility from motorists this or last season?
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
So far, I only heard it only once this year. It was yelled at me by a teenage boy amongst more teenagers, all the while, he was riding his bike on the street, against the curb, and opposing traffic.
ralph12
So far, I only heard it only once this year. It was yelled at me by a teenage boy amongst more teenagers, all the while, he was riding his bike on the street, against the curb, and opposing traffic.
:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
bragi
Lately, I've heard a lot of JAMs yelling to get on the sidewalk around here. I even had a neighbor ask me mid-ride from his driveway why I didn't ride on sidewalks, prompting an explanation he didn't seem to quite get. Now, I know a lot of people are familiar with this...but it seems strange to me. I've only been riding a bike for a little over a year now, but since the day I got it I've pretty much ridden every single day, and this spring/summer is about the only time I started to hear this.
I have also seen an unusual number of cyclists on sidewalks lately. Some are going against traffic, and one thing I found kind of funny was a guy riding on a sidewalk against traffic right next to a bike lane, towards a crosswalk where the walk/don't walk light has been broken for years. Not sure if he knew that, but anyway...
It seems like my area is becoming a little more hostile to cyclists in traffic, and I'm seeing fewer than in the past. I live in TN and I'm glad that the bill to mandate 3' passing space went through, but I sort of doubt it's going to have much effect on driver behavior.
Has anyone else noticed more hostility from motorists this or last season?
My experience has been the opposite: more bicyclists all the time, and generally a lot of acceptance of bikes by motorists, as long as the bicyclists are behaving in a predictable, responsible manner. I do get occasional harrassment, but more often than not, it's just a minor irritation, teenagers yelling out of a passenger-side window. If it's a case of serious, intentional bullying by a motorist, I find it's best to jump in their sh*t without hesitation...
However: In the spring and summer, when the weather gets nicer, more people are on bikes, and many of them don't seem to know that it's illegal to ride against traffic, or very unsafe to ride on the sidewalk. When motorists see a lot of these people, who are clearly idiots, they quickly assume that all bicyclists are idiots, and that's when the trouble starts.
Remember that most motorists are actually good people who mean well. Don't let the occasional assh*le ruin your day. If they threaten your safety and you can't handle the situation yourself, call the police. If the police don't act, call the mayor's office.
nelson249
I haven't heard it all this year.
Carusoswi
since the day I got it I've pretty much ridden every single day
Congrats on riding every single day!!
I have also seen an unusual number of cyclists on sidewalks lately. Some are going against traffic, and one thing I found kind of funny was a guy riding on a sidewalk against traffic right next to a bike lane
I would say that if you are riding on the sidewalk (and I make no judgment for or against the practice . . . there are times when I find it justified, almost never very rewarding or enjoyable), it makes absolutely no difference which way adjacent traffic is traveling. Pedestrians on the sidewalk are not concerned with the direction of vehicular traffic, so I cannot see why a cyclist riding the sidewalk would be concerned, either.
It seems like my area is becoming a little more hostile to cyclists in traffic, and I'm seeing fewer than in the past. I live in TN and I'm glad that the bill to mandate 3' passing space went through, but I sort of doubt it's going to have much effect on driver behavior.
Has anyone else noticed more hostility from motorists this or last season?
Honestly, I believe the more I ride, the lower the average number of hostile encounters per mile I experience. My impression is purely anecdotal as I don’t keep any logs on that sort of thing. I ride just for the enjoyment and exercise.
I know part of the improvement concerning my interaction with vehicles has to do with my improved attitude on the road. I used to curse almost every car that passed me for purposely gunning the engine – just to show me they were boss. I realize now that most of them have slowed down, are probably a bit timid about having to make the pass in the first place, and are anxious to get it over and, in any event, need to accelerate to get back to speed. In most cases (loud motorcycles excepted) there is no message intended whatsoever. Even most loud motorcyclists are probably not purposely trying to burst my eardrums. Revving their engine and listening to that burbling backpressure is part of the culture of riding a motorcycle. The noise can sure be annoying to those of us in its wake, however.
I used to make a point of taking “my share” of the driving lane, even if there was a smooth, clean shoulder 1 ½ car widths wide. I simply don’t do that, anymore. I don’t think we give up a thing by being considerate to motor vehicles when to do so does not threaten our safety or compromise our rights as cyclists. Others may disagree with me, but, that is how I feel, and those feelings are reflected in my riding.
I do, certainly, still get my share of low-life car drivers who cannot pass without shouting out AH or “get off the road” or “get on the sidewalk” or whatever, so, I can certainly identify with your frustration.
The good news is that those types are outnumbered by the considerate drivers, and, the creeps can only get to us if we allow them.
Happy and harmonious riding to you.
Caruso
noisebeam
I would say that if you are riding on the sidewalk ... it makes absolutely no difference which way adjacent traffic is traveling. Pedestrians on the sidewalk are not concerned with the direction of vehicular traffic, so I cannot see why a cyclist riding the sidewalk would be concerned, either.
Riding against traffic on a sidewalk can be even more risky. The folks who care (or don't at all) are the motor vehicle drivers when they don't expect a bicycle to be coming the 'wrong way' down the sidewalk. They barely look hard enough for the 'correct' way as it is
if you look at this Phoenix, AZ study, 'against traffic' sidewalk riders account for 22.6% of collisions, 'with flow' riders account for 5.9%. There would have to be 3.8 times as many against traffic riders for the accident rate to be the same for both sides of the road.
http://azbikelaw.org/Bikestudy00.ppt#269,16,Slide 16
Al
joejack951
I used to make a point of taking “my share” of the driving lane, even if there was a smooth, clean shoulder 1 ½ car widths wide. I simply don’t do that, anymore. I don’t think we give up a thing by being considerate to motor vehicles when to do so does not threaten our safety or compromise our rights as cyclists. Others may disagree with me, but, that is how I feel, and those feelings are reflected in my riding.
Assuming a consistently wide, clean shoulder with clear sightlines and no intersections, you are probably right. If any of those attributes above is not present, I disagree. It just so happens that I rarely find shoulders that meet all of the criteria listed so my default position is not the shoulder.
ghettocruiser
if you look at this Phoenix, AZ study, 'against traffic' sidewalk riders account for 22.6% of collisions, 'with flow' riders account for 5.9%. There would have to be 3.8 times as many against traffic riders for the accident rate to be the same for both sides of the road.
I don't disagree, but personally, when I do ride on the sidewalk it's almost always against traffic, as I usually am traversing a short section of a major road where a wall of traffic is preventing me from pulling out.
John E
I concur with Al regarding travel direction on a sidewalk. As a pedestrian, I generally prefer to travel WITH the flow of traffic, because going contraflow greatly increases my chances of not being seen by a motorist turning right (whilst looking left) onto my street.
JeffB502
I got a "You aint a car" from a teenage driver in an early 90s Honda CRX stuffed with other teenagers on my ride home tonight. I was completing a left turn after getting the green arrow, he was waiting to turn left traveling south on the street I had turned on to go north. I smiled and waved at him.
And speaking of sidewalk riders, a friend of mine hit one and knocked him off his bike (but didn't injure him). The "cyclist" (if he deserves that title) was riding against traffic on the sidewalk, had been drinking alcoholic beverages, and had no lights and no reflective clothing after midnight. My friend was waiting at a stop sign to turn right, looked right for pedestrians (sidewalk empty), looked left and saw a vehicle approaching which then activated its right turn signal. As my friend began his right turn making sure the approaching vehicle continued to turn right he looked forward and saw the cyclist directly in his path, riding in the crosswalk. He hit the brakes but they collided and the cyclist fell off his bike. He said he was ok and tried to leave the scene, but my friend insisted on calling the police to get everything down on paper (and because the cyclist only spoke enough English to say "I'm ok"). A Spanish speaking officer explained to the cyclist that he was an idiot. The cyclist told the officer he was fine and then headed on home.
trackhub
Ahh, the teenaged male. "a mass of conflicting impulses."
I haven't heard any lately, but a friend heard one last week. A JAM had beeped at him several times, in heavy traffic. Stopped at a light, the JAP (that would be "jackarse passenger") said, "Get on the damn sidewalk, or I'm callin the cops!" My friend's reponse was a simple "Go ahead and make your call. I'm sure we can get this all straightened out". The JAP then dropped the F-bomb as they drove away spewing blue/black, oily smoke from the exhaust of,,, dare I say it,,, their pick up truck. Oh yes, the occupants were not teenaged males, but the adult version of same.
littlewaywelt
For me less this year.
+1
Around dc, though it always seems to be the worst in the winter. The darkness and cold seem to bring out the aggression in ppl.
ubernier
Only twice this year...
In Gainesville, FL--pickup truck with passenger that yelled out the window, "where is the rest of them."
Earlier this week, Seattle, near Seward Park--some ~30 year cat is approaching the crosswalk to cross to the park. I have a stop sign and come to a stop to wait for him to cross. The individual looks at me and I look at him as his mouth utters, "Get the F*** out of my way, you God Damn ******." I didn't dignify that with a response. A lady walking along near him stopped and stared at him also. I assumed he was mentally ill, or unstable at best.
Mr. Underbridge
Just got my first! Some 20 year old greaser with his name on his shirt driving a construction truck (read: not likely very intelligent) gave me the old "get on the sidewalk!" I calmly replied "Because it's illegal, dipsh*t!" I was disappointed not to get a response.
Seriously, if I'm going within 5mph of the ambient traffic, in the rightmost of 3 lanes...freaking pass already. You think a vehicle moving at 20mph should be on the *sidewalk*!
I think I've figured it out though - I think they don't realize you're going as fast as you are, and they've never seen anyone who could do 20mph on flats.
ralph12
I went downtown today to donate plasma (Didn't, though. My temperature was 2/5ths of a degree too high D: ) and saw only sidewalk riders. There were two exceptions technically, but they were a pair riding on the sidewalk and street, seemingly at random. I even walked by a guy riding on the pavement by some restaurants, doing the steely-eyed look I see some motorcyclists do...He came a bit too close for comfort. I wonder why so many choose to do that when most of the streets are not that narrow, and other traffic isn't going fast. I notice a lot of them were going almost as fast as the cars (12 mph or so, I guesstimate), on the same space where people were walking at about a third of that. I haven't cycled myself 'round there, but it actually seems like the worst place to ride on a sidewalk in the area; lots of pedestrians, garbage, and even some bits of lumber.
genec
Counter a "get on the sidewalk" with "Get on the Freeway!"
LittleBigMan
Lately, I've heard a lot of JAMs yelling to get on the sidewalk around here. I even had a neighbor ask me mid-ride from his driveway why I didn't ride on sidewalks, prompting an explanation he didn't seem to quite get. Now, I know a lot of people are familiar with this...but it seems strange to me. I've only been riding a bike for a little over a year now, but since the day I got it I've pretty much ridden every single day, and this spring/summer is about the only time I started to hear this.
I have also seen an unusual number of cyclists on sidewalks lately. Some are going against traffic, and one thing I found kind of funny was a guy riding on a sidewalk against traffic right next to a bike lane, towards a crosswalk where the walk/don't walk light has been broken for years. Not sure if he knew that, but anyway...
It seems like my area is becoming a little more hostile to cyclists in traffic, and I'm seeing fewer than in the past. I live in TN and I'm glad that the bill to mandate 3' passing space went through, but I sort of doubt it's going to have much effect on driver behavior.
Has anyone else noticed more hostility from motorists this or last season?
Hang in there.
I brooked years of non-understanding before people began to respect what I did. On the other hand, there are lots of people who will support or admire what you do, they just might not show it, yet.
Whenever you enter new territory (not that riding a bike on the road with cars is new, just that for the people in your area, it might be unusual for them,) you might get that initial reaction. The key is to follow your inward calling, and don't let other people who don't get it discourage you. In time, even your worst critics will admire you, even if they don't, now.
Over a decade later, so many people are really supportive of me. Most of them think I'm 10 years younger than I am. :) )
Carusoswi
And speaking of sidewalk riders, a friend of mine hit one and knocked him off his bike (but didn't injure him). The "cyclist" (if he deserves that title) was riding against traffic on the sidewalk, had been drinking alcoholic beverages, and had no lights and no reflective clothing after midnight. My friend was waiting at a stop sign to turn right, looked right for pedestrians (sidewalk empty), looked left and saw a vehicle approaching which then activated its right turn signal. As my friend began his right turn making sure the approaching vehicle continued to turn right he looked forward and saw the cyclist directly in his path, riding in the crosswalk. He hit the brakes but they collided and the cyclist fell off his bike. He said he was ok and tried to leave the scene, but my friend insisted on calling the police to get everything down on paper (and because the cyclist only spoke enough English to say "I'm ok"). A Spanish speaking officer explained to the cyclist that he was an idiot. The cyclist told the officer he was fine and then headed on home.
So, if the cyclist had been riding on the sidewalk in the opposite direction, your friend would have been able to avoid a collision, right?
The issue here is that the cyclist was riding in the dark with no lights.
Oh, and, if the cyclist spoke better English, then, your friend would have been less inclined to call the police "to get everything down on paper."
Hmmm.
Caruso
JeffB502
Caruso...if he had been riding on the correct side of the road he wouldn't have been in my friend's path, so yes this particular collision would not have occurred.
The issues are riding in the dark with no lights AND while under the influence of alcohol AND failing to yield to other vehicles while he was riding the wrong way. He wasn't wearing a helmet also, adds on to the "idiot" factor, but not illegal since he's an adult.
I may have been a little unclear about the English/Spanish thing. If the cyclist spoke English, then the police wouldn't be necessary for a simple information exchange as long as he was carrying some ID. Since he didn't understand my friend's suggestion they exchange information, and was acting like he was going to leave the scene of the collision without giving his information, it became necessary to call the police. Whether or not he spoke English, trying to leave the scene would have warranted contacting the police. My friend might have called them anyway to have witnesses the guy wasn't hurt in case he tried to sue later. My friend was also operating a company vehicle, so that may have affected his decision making process as well. I don't know what he was thinking since I wasn't there.
Cyclaholic
Lately, I've heard a lot of JAMs yelling to get on the sidewalk around here.
I haven't heard a single JAM sice I started using both earbuds of my I-pod.
Carusoswi
Caruso...if he had been riding on the correct side of the road he wouldn't have been in my friend's path, so yes this particular collision would not have occurred.
The issues are riding in the dark with no lights AND while under the influence of alcohol AND failing to yield to other vehicles while he was riding the wrong way. He wasn't wearing a helmet also, adds on to the "idiot" factor, but not illegal since he's an adult.
I may have been a little unclear about the English/Spanish thing. If the cyclist spoke English, then the police wouldn't be necessary for a simple information exchange as long as he was carrying some ID. Since he didn't understand my friend's suggestion they exchange information, and was acting like he was going to leave the scene of the collision without giving his information, it became necessary to call the police. Whether or not he spoke English, trying to leave the scene would have warranted contacting the police. My friend might have called them anyway to have witnesses the guy wasn't hurt in case he tried to sue later. My friend was also operating a company vehicle, so that may have affected his decision making process as well. I don't know what he was thinking since I wasn't there.
Additional information does clarify why the language issue became pertinent to your friend, and I agree about the issues as you list them. I disagree with your characteristic that he was riding the "wrong" way. There is no law governing traffic direction on the sidewalk (not in my neck of the woods, anyhow). You state that he would not have been in your friend's path if he had been riding on the correct side of the road. By that, I guess you mean that he would have been on the opposite side of the street, your friend was turning right, and the cyclist would have been elsewhere. I suppose if he hadn't been riding at all, or if he had chosen a different route home, or if he had taken a taxi, he would also not have been in your friend's path. For the sake of discussing the incident in the context of this thread, I think we have to consider the possible outcome(s) of the incident assuming all variables constant except for his direction of travel, fair enough?
You add that he wasn't wearing a helmet. This fact might have contributed to any injuries sustained, but, obviously, didn't contribute to the accident.
You gloss over the fact that, from your initial description of the accident, it sounds as though your friend, well meaning enough, actually chose to begin his right turn unsatisfied with the intent of that driver coming from his left who was also turning right. Instead of waiting until that car made the turn (or at least committed to it sufficiently that your friend was satisfied that the driver of that car would, indeed, turn right), your friend began his own turn while keeping his gaze on that other driver. So, in fact, what your friend did was to begin his right turn while looking to his left. When he returned his gaze back to his intended path, he was surprised to find this cyclist in his path. Correct me if I am wrong, but, from your description, your friend also contributed to this accident by driving one way while look another - something that drivers (even good ones) do often. It still is not a good practice.
How many times have you seen two drivers merging left onto a freeway. Driver one starts to enter the freeway, then, decides he/she can't make it and stops. Driver two watches driver one start to enter the freeway, looks back over his/her left shoulder for traffic coming from the rear, forgets to check front again, and, having assumed that driver one was gone, runs into the rear of driver one's car.
It happens often. It sounds a like your friend did something related . . . checked his path, looked left and started to move right before checking his path again.
If the cyclist was in a crosswalk or on a sidewalk crossing, he would technically have had the right of way. Your friend might have been held responsible for this accident except that the cyclist displayed irresponsibility by riding at night in dark clothes with no lights.
I assume the policeman issued no citations after weighing all these factors - especially since there were no injuries (is my assumption concerning citations correct?).
As for the exchange of information, if this company vehicle was unmarked, and there was no exchange of information, I doubt your friend needed to worry about being sued later - but, it never hurts to call the cops, so, especially since he was in a company vehicle, calling them was probably the right thing to do.
I still fail to see how the cyclist's direction of travel played a role. Had be been travelling the same direction as your friend, we would refer to this accident as a sort of right hook - that's the only difference I can see.
I'm curious, if the cyclist had been on foot, would you still view his direction of travel a contributing factor to your friend's accident? If so, then, are pedestrians being less than safe by using the sidewalk to travel in both directions? . . . or crossing in a crosswalk "against" vehicular traffic?
Caruso
ralph12
I haven't heard a single JAM sice I started using both earbuds of I-pod.
:lol:
Tom Stormcrowe
My favorite recent JAM statement was to tell me to get a job from the cockpit of his 1976 Pinto with a blue smoke cloud and a Domino's Pizza sign on the roof!:p Never mind my bike being worth more than his car!:D
ralph12
Happy and harmonious riding to you.
Caruso
Thank you : D
wabbit
a lot of people must be taking that advice... the sidewalks seem to be filled with idiots weaving around and i've been missed by inches on a daily basis. Not roadies, or even messengers...just people riding bikes who don't want to ride on the road..can't blame them on certain roads with all the traffic. But they're a freaking menace.
trackhub
My favorite recent JAM statement was to tell me to get a job from the cockpit of his 1976 Pinto with a blue smoke cloud and a Domino's Pizza sign on the roof!:p Never mind my bike being worth more than his car!:D
Egads, a Ford Pinto? That must be one of the last surviving ones in the world. In the 70's, millions of Ford Pinto's and Chevy Vega's were sold, and you hardly see a one today. Kinda says a lot doesn't it? I'm not sure, but I think the body of the Chevy Vega was made of compressed rust.
Boss Moniker
Counter a "get on the sidewalk" with "Get on the Freeway!"
I generally say "get on a diet" because the JAMs around here are invariably fat, and if they look like they're going to cry, I add "and come join me!" Also, "Get on a bike" works pretty well for general advocacy.
Keep in mind that yelling back only works if you're sure they can hear you.
But in general, less JAMs around here
wabbit
it's funny, often the people yelling at you are tubby and obviously out of shape, or driving shytty old beatup rustbuckets....
JeffB502
Additional information does clarify why the language issue became pertinent to your friend, and I agree about the issues as you list them. I disagree with your characteristic that he was riding the "wrong" way. There is no law governing traffic direction on the sidewalk (not in my neck of the woods, anyhow). You state that he would not have been in your friend's path if he had been riding on the correct side of the road. By that, I guess you mean that he would have been on the opposite side of the street, your friend was turning right, and the cyclist would have been elsewhere. I suppose if he hadn't been riding at all, or if he had chosen a different route home, or if he had taken a taxi, he would also not have been in your friend's path. For the sake of discussing the incident in the context of this thread, I think we have to consider the possible outcome(s) of the incident assuming all variables constant except for his direction of travel, fair enough?
Where I live it's a misdemeanor to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk in a business or residential district (pretty much the whole town)- see Santa Maria Municipal Code Title 7 (http://www.ci.santa-maria.ca.us/3033-MuniCodeTitle7.pdf). The street this occurred on is definitely a business district under section 235 of the California Vehicle Code. I guess you're right, the illegality is the same whether he is riding with or against traffic, but in my opinion it's safer to ride with traffic even on the sidewalk (explained below)
You add that he wasn't wearing a helmet. This fact might have contributed to any injuries sustained, but, obviously, didn't contribute to the accident. I agree 100%. In fact he wasn't wearing a helmet and didn't sustain any injuries...somebody alert the media! ;)
You gloss over the fact that, from your initial description of the accident, it sounds as though your friend, well meaning enough, actually chose to begin his right turn unsatisfied with the intent of that driver coming from his left who was also turning right. Instead of waiting until that car made the turn (or at least committed to it sufficiently that your friend was satisfied that the driver of that car would, indeed, turn right), your friend began his own turn while keeping his gaze on that other driver. So, in fact, what your friend did was to begin his right turn while looking to his left. When he returned his gaze back to his intended path, he was surprised to find this cyclist in his path. Correct me if I am wrong, but, from your description, your friend also contributed to this accident by driving one way while look another - something that drivers (even good ones) do often. It still is not a good practice. That could be a correct assessment of what he did, but like I said I wasn't there.
How many times have you seen two drivers merging left onto a freeway. Driver one starts to enter the freeway, then, decides he/she can't make it and stops. Driver two watches driver one start to enter the freeway, looks back over his/her left shoulder for traffic coming from the rear, forgets to check front again, and, having assumed that driver one was gone, runs into the rear of driver one's car. More than a few close calls like this. People need to learn how to get on the freeway.
It happens often. It sounds a like your friend did something related . . . checked his path, looked left and started to move right before checking his path again.
If the cyclist was in a crosswalk or on a sidewalk crossing, he would technically have had the right of way. Your friend might have been held responsible for this accident except that the cyclist displayed irresponsibility by riding at night in dark clothes with no lights. Even though it is illegal for the cyclist to ride on the sidewalk at that location? I was always taught you are supposed to walk your bicycle if you're crossing a crosswalk or taking it with you on a sidewalk. If he had dismounted and walked it across the crosswalk, I'd definitely agree.
I assume the policeman issued no citations after weighing all these factors - especially since there were no injuries (is my assumption concerning citations correct?). I know my friend didn't get a ticket. The other guy probably didn't or my friend most likely would have mentioned it.
As for the exchange of information, if this company vehicle was unmarked, and there was no exchange of information, I doubt your friend needed to worry about being sued later - but, it never hurts to call the cops, so, especially since he was in a company vehicle, calling them was probably the right thing to do. Marked company vehicle including name of company, phone # in large print, etc. Friend wearing company uniform with company name and his name clearly displayed. Guess I should have mentioned that earlier.
I still fail to see how the cyclist's direction of travel played a role. Had be been travelling the same direction as your friend, we would refer to this accident as a sort of right hook - that's the only difference I can see.
Does same direction as my friend mean 180 degrees from the cyclist's original direction of travel?
If he had been traveling the same direction my friend was heading after completing his turn then my friend probably would have seen him while he was looking at oncoming traffic to his left. While waiting for the van, he most likely would have noticed the cyclist about to cross his path as he continued looking left (the street is lit, so even without bicycle lights he may have seen the silhouette of the cyclist approaching). He wasn't expecting high speed traffic to be coming from his right.
If he had been traveling the same direction as my friend prior to my friend making his turn, he would have had a stop sign also. If he arrived at the stop sign before my friend, my friend would have seen him. If he arrived at the stop sign after my friend, he would be required to yield ROW. If he decided not to yield and ride straight through in the crosswalk in front of my right turning friend, there would have been more distance between them and in all likelihood he would have been able to stop in time.
This guy picked the absolute worst direction and location to be operating his vehicle. Also, isn't the point of riding against traffic to have the ability to see what's coming and stop before something bad happens, under the assumption that cars won't see the cyclist no matter where/which direction they ride? If so, the guy should have seen what was coming and yielded under the assumption that he was invisible.
I'm curious, if the cyclist had been on foot, would you still view his direction of travel a contributing factor to your friend's accident? If so, then, are pedestrians being less than safe by using the sidewalk to travel in both directions? . . . or crossing in a crosswalk "against" vehicular traffic? In the elapsed time between when my friend checked right, looked left, then started to go, a pedestrian would not have been able to easily clear the distance between the corner of the building to my friend's right and the front of his vehicle without purposefully running in front of him. If a cyclist is traveling at walking pace or slower, then direction of travel doesn't matter since they're just a pedestrian with wheels (but as mentioned above they could still get put in jail just for that). Might as well get off and walk the bike. If they're traveling faster than walking pace, they should be traveling in the same direction as traffic, because anybody pulling out is not expecting anything faster than a pedestrian to be coming from their right side in this situation, and they'll be paying more attention to what's going on to the left after looking right for pedestrians, especially if there's an opening.
Wow that's easily my longest post ever...had lots of questions to answer, heh.
Todzilla
Haven't heard disparagement in a while. My community is increasingly bicycle aware, owing to an increase in weekend pleasure cycling. I'll take it.
littlewaywelt
Here I was thinking how long it's been since I've had a problem with a motorist and then yesterday someone behind me honks a couple of times. It didn't sound menacing so I waved the person by without making eye contact. There were three lanes in each direction and the other two lanes were completely open. Plus, it was slightly down hill so I was doing almost 30mph. A few seconds later no pass and more honks. Wave again. No pass and the person starts going at it on the horn. Now up goes my finger. More honks, and again the finger. Finally, after what was probably 30 seconds the person passes. I honestly couldn't believe it. I wasn't holding them up at all. They just didn't like that I was in the road. Argh.
bbattle
Lately, I've heard a lot of JAMs yelling to get on the sidewalk around here. I even had a neighbor ask me mid-ride from his driveway why I didn't ride on sidewalks, prompting an explanation he didn't seem to quite get. Now, I know a lot of people are familiar with this...but it seems strange to me. I've only been riding a bike for a little over a year now, but since the day I got it I've pretty much ridden every single day, and this spring/summer is about the only time I started to hear this.
I have also seen an unusual number of cyclists on sidewalks lately. Some are going against traffic, and one thing I found kind of funny was a guy riding on a sidewalk against traffic right next to a bike lane, towards a crosswalk where the walk/don't walk light has been broken for years. Not sure if he knew that, but anyway...
It seems like my area is becoming a little more hostile to cyclists in traffic, and I'm seeing fewer than in the past. I live in TN and I'm glad that the bill to mandate 3' passing space went through, but I sort of doubt it's going to have much effect on driver behavior.
Has anyone else noticed more hostility from motorists this or last season?
None for me this year. It is illegal for cyclists to ride on the sidewalks in this state over the age of eight.