kris jones wrote:
> I think one lesson to be learned from Mr. Green's statements is that not
> many of us are perfect. I know the rules of the road, and I know I should
> be following them, but do I slow down and roll through a stop sign?
> Sometimes. Do I ride 50 feet on the sidewalk to get to parent st from
> pecco's? Sometimes. Could I be a better spokesperson for cycling in
> Ottawa? Always. And I am sure I am not alone on this mailing list.
You are right, everyone does these things, both in their cars and on their bikes.
The point is safety and driving according to the conditions that exist at the time
- if I roll-through, it is safely - if there is any traffic, I stop (how many
actually bring their cars to a complete stop at a 4-way?). My view is there is more
risk coming to a complete stop on a bike because I have to keep my balance. As for
sidewalks, very rarely I take them, but occasionally I will because it is safer -
for example - the Laurier St bridge. If I am riding on a sidewalk, I am
c-r-a-w-l-i-n-g barely faster than if I were walking. The cardinal rule on a
sidewalk is "do not do anything that will alarm a pedestrian" - so I don't go at
warp facter 9. If I am confronted by two people walking side-by-side, I stop my
bike, get off and walk past them. Most people realize I am "narrower" on my bike
than off. If they move out of my way, I thank them. Sometimes I get stuck behind a
slow moving pedestrian, so I just stay put until they realize I am behind them and
move out of the way. I always thank them as I pass. Being polite on a bike is a lot
easier than in your car. I cannot recall any instance where I encountered someone
hostile. I usually answer that it is not safe to ride on the road at that location.
Riding according to conditions I will "blend in" and probably not be noticed by
anyone. Nevertheless, I cannot emphasize how rare it is I am on a sidewalk, only
when I have no other choice. I don't work downtown anymore, so I have not road on a
sidewalk as part of my commute for over four years.
-Rod P
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