Bikewalk (or sideride) news

Ron in Regina

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
29,388
11,074
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
This is such a touchy subject. The bicycle is considered a
vehicle (see Ontario's HTA) and pedestrians would argue
(& I believe rightfully so) that their safety would be
compromised by allowing vehicles on the sidewalks.

The bicyclists would argue that their safety would be
compromised by by the heavy traffic on the road, and if the
sidewalk isn't being used.....? etc....that they as vehicles
should be able to avoid the congestion of the other vehicles
by riding on the sidewalks.

Personally, I'm totally & completely against this idea of bikes
on the sidewalks (with the possible exception of children
learning to ride, with a wheel diameter of 20" {400mm} or
less) as it makes for a much less predictable (=safe)
situation for pedestrians, cyclists, and the other vehicle
traffic in general.
 
Ron in Regina

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
29,388
11,074
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
Ludlow said:
let em get on sidewalk fawk it. Who gives a poop.
Click to expand...

I do. A child learning to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk, and
some clown with wide handlebars on a mountain bike
coming up behind you at close to the speed of traffic on the
road are two very different things.

If a bike mountain bike has handlebars 24"-30" across, and
the sidewalk is 48" wide, and the bike is traveling at 25mph,
where does the pedestrian go? hopefully up onto a lawn or
down between two parked cars at best.
 
PoliticalNick

PoliticalNick

The Troll Bashing Troll
Mar 8, 2011
7,940
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36
Edson, AB
Ron in Regina said:
I do. A child learning to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk, and
some clown with wide handlebars on a mountain bike
coming up behind you at close to the speed of traffic on the
road are two very different things.

If a bike mountain bike has handlebars 24"-30" across, and
the sidewalk is 48" wide, and the bike is traveling at 25mph,
where does the pedestrian go? hopefully up onto a lawn or
down between two parked cars at best.
Click to expand...
If you don't like how I ride stay the f*ck off my sidewalk!
 
Ron in Regina

Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
29,388
11,074
113
Regina, Saskatchewan
I've had the close calls. I'm not blowing smoke here.

It all comes down to safety, and much of safety comes
with predictability. Things on the sidewalk to to move a
a certain speed, and things on a roadway (with larger
areas and viability) move a higher rates of speed.

Something (like a pedestrian) entering a roadway at a
corner moves at a predictable speed. A bicycle entering
a roadway at a corner does this at a different speed. It
creates unpredictable situations, and people get hurt.

Someone exiting a building right onto the sidewalk expects
traffic (pedestrian traffic) at a certain speed. a bicycle moving
along the building on the sidewalk at 20-25mph isn't predictable,
and people get hurt. A 200lb man (mass) on a mountain bike on
a sidewalk going 20-25mph (acceleration) is a bad situation at
best.
 
PoliticalNick

PoliticalNick

The Troll Bashing Troll
Mar 8, 2011
7,940
0
36
Edson, AB
Johnnny said:
^--- whose this guy?
Click to expand...

You mean "who is". Whose is questioning possession or ownership of an item. That's who this guy is....the one who doesn't need remedial English classes.

Ron in Regina said:
Would this cyclist be safer on the sidewalk or the street?


Would you (or your kids or grandkids) be safer with this
guy on the sidewalk or the street?
Click to expand...

Neither. Of course the stupid pedestrian ran out from behind a car without looking which makes me believe he shouldn't be allowed out unsupervised too. Safety goes both ways ya know
 
F

Frankiedoodle

Electoral Member
Aug 21, 2015
660
0
16
Saskatchewan
I just shake my head when I read about the battle between bicycles and cars. The car always wins, no matter who is right. When I was 18 I was driving my bike down the street. I don't know whatever possessed me but there were 2 cyclists in front, they turned left, in front of a car that was stopped at a stop sign. I followed them. The car saw them, but didn't see me. Now I was in the right but also ended up in the gutter with a broken tibia and fibula. I was in casts for 16 weeks
The driver was at fault but it was a long hot summer that year. I did get a cash settlement from SGI butt no matter how much I had received it wouldn't have been enough.
That was 40 years ago. When I am driving I almost break into a cold sweat when I have to share a lane, with a bicycle rider, while driving.
 
Danbones

Danbones

Hall of Fame Member
Sep 23, 2015
24,505
2,198
113
We have all kinds of bike/pedestrian paths around here.
Politeness is the rule and people seem to co exist with bikes and DOGS quite well

the major rule is no MOTORIZED bikes on the walking paths
to which everyone seems jiggy with

Of course the snowmobilers don't like to see bikes on their trails....
something to do with having to pick sand out of their sliders when they run out of beers and get home
 
bill barilko

bill barilko

Senate Member
Mar 4, 2009
6,039
582
113
Vancouver-by-the-Sea
Ron in Regina said:
I've had the close calls. I'm not blowing smoke here.... Someone exiting a building right onto the sidewalk expects traffic (pedestrian traffic) at a certain speed. a bicycle moving along the building on the sidewalk at 20-25mph isn't predictable, and people get hurt. A 200lb man (mass) on a mountain bike on a sidewalk going 20-25mph (acceleration) is a bad situation at best.
Click to expand...

A local MD died when she was hit by a sidewalk rider under just that scenario a while back-severe head injuries she lived for a while then finally succumbed-very sad this was just a few blocks from my place.

B. Barilko-long time city cyclist who never rides on sidewalks-ever.
 
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