Originally Posted by
Mobile 155
No Roody it is just people thinking they can do whatever they want as long as it makes them feel better. We develop systems and rules so society can function together. If they can make their own rules to invade unused pedestrian space how are they any different than those that feel cyclists don't need a bike lane just because it isn't used at the time? The fact that the bike lane in my area isn't in use doesn't make it another lane for cars and trucks. It is a bike lane and unless marked otherwise should not be crossed into by a car.
Until we we grant the sidewalks the same status we want for bike lanes we are simply pedestrians on toys best kept off of the street. I am not asking anyone to agree with me because when I walk on a sidewalk and a fellow cyclists comes bombing past me I feel like kicking a trash can in front of them. My opinion of course but one that separates me so far from sidewalk riders that makes them my enemy. Almost as much as wrong side of the road riders and night ninjas.
It it has nothing to do with my way being better only that there has to be a set of rules we follow to avoid chaos. Sure with so few cyclists in the US it doesn't seem to matter but if the day ever comes where we do get more than a toehold it will.
Now here is an article that might convince somebody, minus the mocking.
But still, what are cyclists to do when they don't feel it's safe to ride in that traffic lane?
When I was in school, we had classes that taught bike safety in school, after school, and in the scouts. We were taught how to ride FRAP and how to take the lane when needed.
AFAIK, school kids no longer have classes like this.
Also, when I was a kid there were about half as many cars in the US auto fleet. Speed limits were lower and road designs were less complex. All around, it was less challenging to ride "vehicularly" back in the day.
So I have to be a little more forgiving when I see younger cyclists on the sidewalk. I hope that soon we will have bicycle infrastructure that they find acceptable. I certainly agree with you to a point, that sidewalk riding is far less than perfect. At the least, I encourage everybody who rides frequently to take the time to learn how to ride safely in the street.