Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.cranky old dude
07-09-08, 05:46 PM
So I've logged 200+ miles on my bike this month and about 100 yards walking
and my "Close Car Encounter" happens during that 100 yards. Go figure.
Pedestrians have it rough. In our favor is the traffic codes/laws and the
fact that we, as cyclists, are where motorists expect us to be whether we
are motorists or cyclists. The poor pedestrians walking along the sidewalk
are sitting ducks for motorists making right turns out of parking lots and such.
That was my experience today. Walking West along the sidewalk facing oncoming
traffic and I come upon a parking lot with a signal light to control traffic
entering and leaving the lot. The woman was so intent on making a "Right
Turn on Red" that she never thought to check the sidewalk. As she intently
monitored the traffic coming from her left while slowly inching forward you can
be sure I was intently watching her from my excellent vantage point about
12 inches from her right front fender and well into the driveway. (Not in a rush
for a "Dirt Nap" I was not about to cross in front of her even though I had the
OK to cross signal). As she finally spied a large enough gap in traffic you can only
imagine the shock on her face when she glanced to her right while punching the
accelerator. Hee, hee, I certainly gave her a bit of a shock as I waved to her.
I do expect she'll be a little more aware of pedestrians on the sidewalk the next time
she ventures out into traffic.
And for me, I think I'll stay with the bikes for a while. Those cars seem bigger
to me when I'm off my bike...and scarier.
This is also one good example as to why cyclists should not ride on sidewalks.
and my "Close Car Encounter" happens during that 100 yards. Go figure.
Pedestrians have it rough. In our favor is the traffic codes/laws and the
fact that we, as cyclists, are where motorists expect us to be whether we
are motorists or cyclists. The poor pedestrians walking along the sidewalk
are sitting ducks for motorists making right turns out of parking lots and such.
That was my experience today. Walking West along the sidewalk facing oncoming
traffic and I come upon a parking lot with a signal light to control traffic
entering and leaving the lot. The woman was so intent on making a "Right
Turn on Red" that she never thought to check the sidewalk. As she intently
monitored the traffic coming from her left while slowly inching forward you can
be sure I was intently watching her from my excellent vantage point about
12 inches from her right front fender and well into the driveway. (Not in a rush
for a "Dirt Nap" I was not about to cross in front of her even though I had the
OK to cross signal). As she finally spied a large enough gap in traffic you can only
imagine the shock on her face when she glanced to her right while punching the
accelerator. Hee, hee, I certainly gave her a bit of a shock as I waved to her.
I do expect she'll be a little more aware of pedestrians on the sidewalk the next time
she ventures out into traffic.
And for me, I think I'll stay with the bikes for a while. Those cars seem bigger
to me when I'm off my bike...and scarier.
This is also one good example as to why cyclists should not ride on sidewalks.