FLBandit

I had occasion to walk up to the store today while waiting for my daughters to finish practicing for a Christmas play. On the way I had to cross a pretty busy street. I didn't think much of it as the corner had crosswalks and signals for walkers. However, it was like the crosswalk and lights were non-existent! I waited for the light and started to cross the street when the walk light came on. I hadn't even covered the first lane (4 lane road) when it started blinking to go off. Then as I approached the far side, right turning traffic seemed oblivious to my presence. I didn't think one car was going to stop. I guess it's not just bikes that irritate drivers, it's anything in the road, even if it is legal to be there.

TCNJCyclist

There's a crosswalk (not near any traffic control device) that goes from my college campus, across a pretty busy 4-lane road. I don't think any drivers would let up on the gas if they saw someone starting to cross there. In those situations, I just wait for a safe gap in traffic to open up, then I sprint across.

galen_52657

If the feds send 1/4 of the money spent on foreign conquests to the states and local governments for traffic enforcement, you might be able to cross the street.

We have a traffic circle here in Towson where five roads converge, right in the middle of the town commercial district. Each road has two lanes. Huge signs on all roads right before the circle about yielding to pedestrians. Crosswalks clearly delineated. Street-scape bollards and brick walks recently installed. Try crossing the road at rush hour....

michaelnel

There is a crosswalk on El Camino Real in Redwood City California where I work that doesn't have a signal light associated with it. ECR is six lanes wide right there and is a VERY busy street with a 35MPH speed limit (although most people go 45-55MPH).

Every time I have to cross the street there I take my life in my hands. People will see 4 cars stopped for the crosswalk and STILL speed through at 50MPH (typically, a woman in a Lexus SUV yakking on her cellphone while applying makeup). I think I should probably call the local cops and ask them to watch that crosswalk, but I really don't think they'd do anything about it.

So instead of doing the lawful thing and using the crosswalk, I will usually wait until there is a good gap in traffic and run across, criminal that I am.

genec

+1

BeTheChange

Here in boone there aren't many roads that are too big. Four lanes is about the max. But still people will not pay attention to the right of way. But there is a large population of the students that will walk out anyway. Just last week I was walking in the crosswalk with my girlfriend and some girl was taking a left through the crosswalk I was walking in and had to dodge us so I kicked the crap out of her car and dented the sidepannel. She should be happy she's just got a dented sidepannel and not a huge lawsuit on her hands. It seem pedestrians can get a lot more in court because at some point everyone is a pedestrian and it is common knowledge they have the right of way (I hope). Cyclist on the other hand are seen as freaks who are just illegally borrowing the road from the drivers who "own" it.

sbhikes

Try stopping for a pedestrian trying to cross a large, busy street when you're on your bike. They never exepct it. And it's fun sometimes if you can shame the car drivers into stopping too.

michaelnel

I do it all the time.

roughrider504

Yesterday I had to cross a 4lane. Even though the walk light was on, and the people that are turning can see it, they still turned. When I came back I sprinted so fast , to cross before the cars turned,I had a wheelie going half the way. scary I have to do that huh?

TCNJCyclist

Stop for a pedestrian on ANY street and see the reaction you get from them. Even on my college's one road (speed limit: 25 mph), pedestrians hesitate for a second when I stop to let them cross.

UmneyDurak

Here most drivers are trained to stop for crosswalks around campus. People who don't stop are usualy A) from other states B) first time driving here.

Dchiefransom

The looks of shock I get make me wonder if I should get CPR certified.