Originally Posted by
PeddlePhile
Well,...I don't really believe sidewalks are directional.
I also believe that if you ride on a sidewalk with reckless abandon,then you're setting yourself up for pain.
Riding a bike on a sidewalk carries a responsibility to RESPECT others and ASSUME NOTHING with regards to right of way.
As I said earlier, some people are more prone to be involved in painful situations...doesn't matter what they're doing.
Ya know, you can argue this till the next millenia.......
Facts are facts...where I am..it is extremely rare to see someone using a bike lane...for good reason.
For every bike lane user there are probably 100 or more sidewalk riders.
Sidewalk bike accidents are so rare I can't remember one in recent history.
The truth is, riding on the roads is not safe. At least not here. Your area may vary.
Did you happen to see that video of a woman in her SUV come around a curve doing about 90, cross into the oncoming lane and hit the bicyclist head on splitting him into pieces and sending him flying nearly 200ft? Had he been on the sidewalk he'd be alive today.
If bike lanes are safe where you ride then go for it. Do that here and you won't live long.
Let's consider ONLY one hazard. Elderly drivers. We have TONS here.
The number of elderly drivers who can't see over the steering wheel, can't see past the steering wheel or are even sure what a steering wheel is is quite large.
These people are NOT safe to be driving at all...much less within inches of what basically is a fast moving pedestrian.
But that's just for starters. Factor in texting teens, road rage and drunken drivers and you have a bona fide recipe for disaster.
That painted line indicating a bike lane offers absolutely ZERO protection. Perhaps if they were all guard railed it would be safer.
ROADS are for MOTOR vehicles. And even then it's dangerous. It's not that I don't think bicyclists SHOULD have rights to use the road...
it's just that the reality is that it's too dangerous.
You continue to do what you feel is safe for you, and I'll do likewise.
May your Angels ride with you.
Cheers!
For the millions it would cost to implement this "elevated bikeway", if the money instead went to (a) proper urban planning, to ensure that traffic flowed in a way safer for all users; and (b) proper enforcement of traffic laws that everyone breaks and the cops always look the other way, then not only would it be safe to ride on the streets, but it would also be safer for all other road users (cars/motorcycles/construction workers/police officers... the list goes on)