Originally Posted by
Nakedbabytoes
I used to commute by bike and I think people(drivers) have the most issue with bikers who decide to be a "pedestrian" when it is most convienient and then a "vehicle" when it is the most convienient. I don't think you should choose to use crosswalks and sidewalks in some cases(which would usually be opposite the vehicle signal) and then in the next street/light use the vehicle signal. Decide and stick with it.
I came to that conclusion not by my own accord, but from a cop who watched me be a pedestrian on one block and a vehicle on the other. He stopped me and said "You can't choose like that, you are either one or the other. It makes everyone safer to have "expected" behavior." And he was right. What if runners did that? Or motorcycles? Or wheelchair bound people? Just because bikes CAN go on sidewalks AND streets, doesn't mean that they should in all circumstances.
You should have either been a pedestrian in all circumstances OR a vehicle in all circumstances, I think that is what the dude was mad at you for. Decide.
Yeah I agree, problem is in Washington state much of the bike access is based on the assumption that bikes will ride in the crosswalk and freely move between the two. The thing I specifically won't do is use the crosswalk to get by a red light when I was in the road when the light turned. However, if I'm on the sidewalk it's expected that I will use the crosswalk as if I were a ped and it's also expected that there are times where I'll move back into the road from the crosswalk.
It's weird around here and quite honestly the lack of consistency makes it more dangerous in my opinion. I think you're right though, drivers get made when bikes cherry pick between being a vehicle and a pedestrian when the driver thinks it gives the bike an unfair advantage.