Cyclists on the road. amirite?

So then...where do the pedestrians belong? Because your plan is sure to increase accidents between cyclists and pedestrians and people in wheelchairs and people walking their dogs and little kids and and and.

by Retta73 2 days ago

In fact, it's almost like cyclists need their own lanes.

by Retta73 2 days ago

Question for you then - which arterial roads in your area have sidewalks alongside them for the entire stretch? Because in Calgary, most don't.

by Retta73 2 days ago

Define arterial road. Yes, every road going into town has a sidewalk and none of them are residential roads. If I went unto the neighhoods I would see people on the sidewalk but almost no cars on the road. Neighborhoods aren't built for traffic to go through but rather around.

by Final-Imagination421 2 days ago

First off: I don't need to define it, it's been defined. Secondly: it sounds like you and I are describing vastly different situations then, and don't need to come to a consensus.

by Retta73 2 days ago

yes i ride 140 kg at 25 to 30 kph. should i hit a kid, they wont "walk away".

by Neither_Bluebird_665 2 days ago

Its funny, because laws in most places designated sidewalks for walking and its illegal to ride bike on it over the age of 13. Its almost like the law overules yours and everyone elses opinion on where they "should" ride when 90% of the time, they are legally required to ride in the road.

by Substantial_Day 2 days ago

The speed difference gets really dangerous. People, pets, and kids walking on a path don't really mix with anyone cycling at a decent pace.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I think we need to distinguish "streets" and "roads". Streets are light neighboods with houses, traffic is slow, kids play sports on the road, people walk their dog here, it's typically safe to bike on the street, no need to use a sidewalk. Roads are higher speeds, designed to go faster and move further distances. This is generally where it's unsafe for vehicles and bikes to be riding right beside each other. In these areas there is far less pedestrian traffic on sidewalks, so it's less of an issue to have cyclists on the sidewalk. It's safer, but not ideal either to bike on the sidewalk though, you should still walk your bike going through the intersections to make sure that cars see you when turning. And you have to slow down, or go off road when you encounter pedestrians walking

by Okunevaelta 2 days ago

Your made up personal opinion about these definitions of streets and roads do not constitute distinguishable characteristics.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Interesting that you think cars and trucks should be mindful of your hobbies

by janestamm 2 days ago

In many states (talking US) there are laws and cyclists are not allowed on the sidewalk 🤷🏾‍♂️

by Nick20 2 days ago

Is it a hobby when it's someone's primary means of transportation? I grew up near a large Amish community who ride horse and buggies on the roadway. Is that also a hobby?

by Erinjones 2 days ago

You didn't think this through

by Fair-Cut 2 days ago

Only kids bike on the sidewalk

by Key_Opportunity 2 days ago

And their brains don't end up on the pavement. Could take a lesson from them.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

The brain from a kid who unexpectedly runs in front of the competitive cyclist on the sidewalk would... They don't ride on the road to annoy drivers, they're dangerous to have on a sidewalk, there's a reason "walk" is in the name.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I wonder if you'll still have that opinion when you're elderly, frail, move slowly, are partially deaf or blind, or depend on a mobility aid. Pavements (sidewalks) are for everyone, including society's most vulnerable. One day that may be you. Think what you're saying.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

That's not an unpopular opinion, a lot of people don't understand how terrible infrastructure is in some places

by Conscious-Yoghurt 2 days ago

This isn't an "unpopular opinion" , you are just wrong. And this is popular amongst many drivers, even though it is more dangerous.

by SuchWitness 2 days ago

So, cyclists arent allowed to cycle anywhere there isnt a sidewalk?

by RareAd 2 days ago

I wish!

by Faheydamaris 2 days ago

Nothing like a kid or dog running in front of a cyclist going 20+mph on the sidewalk, there's a reason people on bikes stay off the sidewalks if they go more than a leisurely pace, and it isn't because they love to be part of traffic.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

It's better to have to swerve around someone than to be clipped by a biker going 20mph in the opposite direction.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Thats just illegal in most places ive been to. Bikes are a danger to pedestrians when they share the same space. Bikes belong on the road, they just need to follow the rules. Also, cars routinely ignore the rules, but when they do it and it results in an accident, its more likely to be fatal.

by Keshaunjohnston 1 day ago

If you cannot maintain the speed limit in a high traffic area you shouldn't be on the road. 20 mph on a residential street on a bike is okay because theres not much traffic. On almost every other road it isn't because you won't find a speed limit below 30 and you aren't doing 30. You impeed traffic. If there is a bike lane use it. Otherwise it's safer and better for everyone to ride the sidewalk.

by Final-Imagination421 1 day ago

Except for the pedestrian who now has to dodge cyclists.

by New_Emu_3288 1 day ago

Why do pedestrians have to dodge them? Do they suck at riding correctly?

by emelia72 1 day ago

The cyclist is more maneuverable then the person so the bike yeilds or avoids. Same way motorcycles and cars work. The motorcyclists job on the road is to avoid the big slow lumbering cars.

by Final-Imagination421 1 day ago

As someone that cycled as my primary means of commute for years, I agree. I always cycle on the sidewalk when available, if theres no sidewalk ill go in the road but I try to avoid it as much as possible. Its not safe. At least in my town, even when theres a painted in 'bike lane' your liable to lose your life to someone driving an 80,000$ pickup truck cutting across three lanes. And when I see a pedestrian on the sidewalk (rare) i have ample time to switch onto the grass and go around them. Bike lanes need physical barriers from the street. I've been hit by a driver who was texting while I was obeying all traffic rules, if it was a truck with a huge flat grill instead of a small sedan with a sloped hood I'd die right there, the end. Fender benders with a car = death with a cyclist. Its not worth it

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Most people driving cars don't follow the rules either. Constant speeding, no indicators, over taking in very dangerous places etc.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

It's kind of amazing how car centric USA and Canada became. The car was only invented about 100 years ago and only common for people to own one since after WW2

by Okunevaelta 1 day ago

The law says they are allowed on the street and you just have to deal with it. My cars all came equipped with steering wheels and brakes. It's a minor inconvenience at best

by Brisamaggio 1 day ago

No they don't. I was knocked down by a cyclist riding on a sidewalk that I was walking on. Ride on the road, and follow the rules of the road.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

It's not always legal to ride your bike on the sidewalk. It's always legal to ride your bike on the road. I know this as a road cyclist. I agree we should always follow the rules of the road and not ride recklessly, but this take is not unpopular, it's misinformed.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

You can try that until a dog trips you or throws you off your bike.

by Both_Reference 1 day ago

Ride a road bike at 15 mph on a sidewalk and then come back here with your experience. I have a feeling your perspective may change a bit based on just how unsafe you'll feel riding that fast on a narrow bumpy path with pedestrians.

by Frequent_Rate_7523 1 day ago

As a cyclist, I choose where I ride based on the road conditions I'm dealing with. I would love to always be in a bike lane/path but my region seriously lacks them. I bike mostly on the road, assuming it's safe enough to do so. However, I don't have a death wish. For example- part of my commute to work is a road with up to 7 lanes across and a speed limit of 45 mph and zero bike infrastructure. By law, I'm supposed to ride with traffic. Ummm... no. Not during peak hours anyway. I will illegally ride on the sidewalk, but yield to pedestrians. Fix the infrastructure and fix the laws.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Sidewalk. Walk is in the name.

by Possible_Iron_3974 1 day ago

"I ride on the sidewalk" Last time OP rode a bicycle though was June 2005

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Yesterday, actually :) All of it on the sidewalk.

by emelia72 1 day ago

Not an opinion, factually incorrect in nearly every single jurisdiction in most nations. In fact, if you are biking on the sidewalk, you are almost always breaking the law and putting pedestrians in danger.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Most accidents are at intersections, where sidewalks won't help. It sounds counterintuitive, but taking the lane is generally safer because you have higher visibility. I'd rather not bike on sidewalks where I have to deal with low hanging branches, parked cars, pedestrians, dumpsters, cracked concrete, and a bunch of vertical curb cutouts for driveways. The few near accidents I've had were all on sidewalks, where cars were turning through business entrances or backing up in driveways. I've cycled hundreds of miles on sidewalks before finally realizing that streets are better. This is less of an unpopular opinion and more of "Here's why everyone is dumb except for me."

by Repulsive_Bed 1 day ago

I think cyclists belong on the road but can't get mad at drivers when an issue arrives due to their own conduct. I constantly see cyclists blow through red lights and traffic signs, for what reason? I'm not sure nor do I care but they create dangerous situations for themselves.

by Altenwerthsydni 1 day ago

Pedestrians have right of way on sidewalks, and I absolutely respect that. It's a mixed bag when in high traffic areas, jumping from road to sidewalk is unpredictable for drivers. Cyclist on 2 lane roads with no shoulders suck, pick a different route. Riders who refuse to ride on the available shoulder suck more. So, situational? Pedestrians with headphones make things complicated since they can't hear you call out. Or how many times do you yell "on your left!", and they jump in front of you. Source, am former urban bike rider who drives a lot.

by Anonymous 1 day ago