Advocacy & Safety - What if...

What if:

You had to drink from a separate water fountain from the crowd?

You couldn't use the same bathroom?

You couldn't go the same school?

You couldn't vote?

You couldn't use the same roadway?

(Oops! :eek: )

Originally posted by Pete Clark
What if:

You had to drink from a separate water fountain from the crowd?

You couldn't use the same bathroom?

You couldn't go the same school?

You couldn't vote?

You couldn't use the same roadway?

(Oops! :eek: )

Except for the same roadway you would be one of millions of African Americans who suffered civil rights violations in the south up until the early '60s. Not being able to use the same roadway makes you a cyclist.

"Separate but equal ... isn't."

Although I strongly promote a "bikes belong" agenda, I also acknowlege that there are specific instances in which separate facilities make sense. Currently, I-15 is the only access across Lake Hodges (Escondido area, about 35mi/60km northeast of downtown San Diego). Bikes are currently allowed on the shoulders of this freeway bridge; pedestrians are not. The State of California is planning a bike-and-ped bridge parallel to the freeway bridge. Assuming that it is well-designed for fast, efficient, safe bicycle travel (and SDCBC will be watchdogging the government's engineers and planners closely!), I would welcome a separate facility in this instance.

Having said that, I strongly oppose pedestrian and bicycle restrictions on the main road grid. California cycling advocacy groups have repeated won battles to maintain and enhance bicycle access, and we are keeping the pressure firmly applied.

I know I am not equal to motorist...I am superior!

I agree, Steele. We are morally superior, legally equal, and physically vulnerable.

Originally posted by John E
Bikes are currently allowed on the shoulders of this freeway bridge; pedestrians are not.

But this is a rare phenomenon, isn’t it? And maybe bridge-specific. When crossing the 6 km bridge to the island of Öland on the Swedish east-coast, the National Road Administration offers free buses for cyclists and pedestrians. As when crossing the new bridge between Sweden and Denmark: You have to go by train or bus if you’re a cyclist or pedestrian. And you have to pay, but so do drivers.