What is it with people riding their bikes on the
sidewalk? Does this bother anyone other
than me? Do you people actually think it
is safer? I've got news for you, it
isn't.
Let's take a step back before the ranting will really
continue. I know, kids on tricycles
shouldn't be on the road. I am not
suggesting endangering the lives of children.
No. Not at all.
I could explain the law to people, but that wouldn't be
right. These adults should already be familiar
with the law. Of course, if the law were
to actually ticket these people, maybe they would get the message. I realize that it isn't feasible--but there
might come a day when the provincial government sees the opportunity for a cash
grab (imagine that) and decides all adult cyclists need a licence (it isn't as
funny as it sounds). Well see how that
turns out.
Bikes on the sidewalk pose a couple of problems, and I grant
some of them are exacerbated by walkers.
Usually, if you were to come up behind someone on a bike, you should
ring your bell or honk your horn (probably a law) to warn them of your approach. While I haven't seen any of these modern day
road warriors have bells on their bikes (probably spent all their money on
overpriced bikes and fashion accessories--see the next blog for thoughts on
that), and since most people 30 and under can't go anywhere without their ear
buds in, they wouldn't hear it if you did honk.
Seems like a recipe for disaster.
The second problem is for motorists. When we look left and right coming out of a
shopping mall, or store parking lot, we scan the road for fast moving
vehicles. We scan the sidewalk for
slower moving objects. If your closing
speed is between a person walking and a car driving, you might get
overlooked. Heck, the way some buildings
are designed, we can't see you based on your closing speed.
Get on the road.
