The renewed debate raging about cyclists versus motorists, sparked by an incident involving Shane Warne, fails to consider the pedestrian.
The poor pedestrian is road kill in-waiting the way many motorists and cyclists use the roads and ignore the road rules pertaining to pedestrians.
One of the biggest problems motorists and cyclists have is with pedestrian crossings. It seems that neither of these road users is capable of giving way to pedestrians. These road users ignore traffic lights putting pedestrians’ lives at risk. There have been many times I’ve had to jump back from crossing (with a green walk sign) because a motorist or cyclist has decided to ignore the amber or red traffic lights.
However there is one thing that cyclists do, that motorists can’t (well not voluntarily) and that is to use footpaths. There are a couple of elements to the footpath menace that cyclists pose.
There are many cyclists that seem to think they own the shared footpaths.
They menace and harass pedestrians because they are impatient when there is congestion. They zoom past pedestrians often without giving a warning bell to alert pedestrians of their presence. They ride two and three abreast and force pedestrians off footpaths since they think they don’t have to share the footpath. And this is not just the lycra-clad or Johnny-come-lately’s either.
Then there are those that insist on using the footpath when there is a bike path/lane provided.
These cyclists weave in and out of the pedestrian traffic with nary a thought for the safety of the pedestrians. Here too, cyclists will menace and harass pedestrians because they are impatient when there is congestion. Sometimes there is outright aggression as the bike becomes more like a battering ram than a mode of transport. All of this even though there is a bike path/lane provided.
What’s particularly galling about these cyclists is that many people, including responsible cyclists, fought hard to get bike paths and lanes to make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Yet some feel entitled to endanger pedestrians because they don’t want to use the bike path or lane. And again this is not just the lycra-clad or Johnny-come-lately’s either.
Many cities and townships are doing a lot more to make malls and CBDs freer of motor vehicles and bicycles and of course more can still be done. However, there are still many more cities and townships that are yet to put in place bike paths and lanes.
One way of helping to improve pedestrian safety is to make sure that anyone buying a bicycle is given a copy of the road rules as they relate to cycling, and asked to sign a statement to the effect that they have read and understood the rules. Motorists don’t get off the hook either. More should be done to emphasise safety for pedestrians when learning to drive.
In the meantime, down with cars and bicycles; all hail pedestrians.
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Down with cars and bicycles, all hail pedestrians
January 25, 2012 in Rants & Raves
Tags: commentary, cyclists, motor vehicles, pedestrians, personal opinion
The renewed debate raging about cyclists versus motorists, sparked by an incident involving Shane Warne, fails to consider the pedestrian.
The poor pedestrian is road kill in-waiting the way many motorists and cyclists use the roads and ignore the road rules pertaining to pedestrians.
One of the biggest problems motorists and cyclists have is with pedestrian crossings. It seems that neither of these road users is capable of giving way to pedestrians. These road users ignore traffic lights putting pedestrians’ lives at risk. There have been many times I’ve had to jump back from crossing (with a green walk sign) because a motorist or cyclist has decided to ignore the amber or red traffic lights.
However there is one thing that cyclists do, that motorists can’t (well not voluntarily) and that is to use footpaths. There are a couple of elements to the footpath menace that cyclists pose.
There are many cyclists that seem to think they own the shared footpaths.
They menace and harass pedestrians because they are impatient when there is congestion. They zoom past pedestrians often without giving a warning bell to alert pedestrians of their presence. They ride two and three abreast and force pedestrians off footpaths since they think they don’t have to share the footpath. And this is not just the lycra-clad or Johnny-come-lately’s either.
Then there are those that insist on using the footpath when there is a bike path/lane provided.
These cyclists weave in and out of the pedestrian traffic with nary a thought for the safety of the pedestrians. Here too, cyclists will menace and harass pedestrians because they are impatient when there is congestion. Sometimes there is outright aggression as the bike becomes more like a battering ram than a mode of transport. All of this even though there is a bike path/lane provided.
What’s particularly galling about these cyclists is that many people, including responsible cyclists, fought hard to get bike paths and lanes to make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Yet some feel entitled to endanger pedestrians because they don’t want to use the bike path or lane. And again this is not just the lycra-clad or Johnny-come-lately’s either.
Many cities and townships are doing a lot more to make malls and CBDs freer of motor vehicles and bicycles and of course more can still be done. However, there are still many more cities and townships that are yet to put in place bike paths and lanes.
One way of helping to improve pedestrian safety is to make sure that anyone buying a bicycle is given a copy of the road rules as they relate to cycling, and asked to sign a statement to the effect that they have read and understood the rules. Motorists don’t get off the hook either. More should be done to emphasise safety for pedestrians when learning to drive.
In the meantime, down with cars and bicycles; all hail pedestrians.
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