Originally Posted by
dynaryder
No it isn't,not at all. Bikes belong on the road and are legally allowed to use them. Peds do not belong in bike lanes(which are part of the roadway),and at least here in DC it is illegal for them to be in them. I can't imagine it was legal for the dog walker to be in the street where the OP lives,so they were breaking the law.
Local laws here are the exact opposite, bike lanes are shared.
Originally Posted by
enigmaT120
If I'm driving or riding so fast that I can't see a non-lit pedestrian in time to avoid hitting him without drama, what will stop me from having the same problem with animals, rocks, or fallen trees? At least sometimes the deer are watching me and their eyes make pretty good reflectors. You can't assume the way is clear.
Exactly. If you 'didn't see' a pedestrian in the bike lane, some combination of inadequate lighting, unsafe speeds or not paying attention is going on.
Is it dumb to be wearing dark clothing at night in poorly lit areas? Absolutely. Should peds wear safety vests/reflective clothing or lights? Yeah, it's a great idea. But that doesn't absolve me from riding responsibly.