"Salmon-ing" on a Sidewalk?
#101
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Thanks for all the replies, really top-quality stuff. I must express some disappointment, however, with some of the responses. In my opinion, some of these responses are raising the "straw-man fallacy." I interpret that phrase to mean that you are 1) conveniently ignoring the specific fact pattern set out in thorough detail above, much of which undermines your position and 2) knocking down arguments that haven't been raised by anybody, and then 3) declaring total victory because you can't be changed from your own set of facts.
Again, the fact pattern that I raised at the beginning of this thread sets out that it is a very wide street that accommodates motorists and cyclists such that it doesn't seem necessary for a bicycle to operate illegally on a sidewalk.
The salmon-ing BSO will confuse motorists not expecting to see BSO heading north in the south-bound lane. The other problem is that creates a situation (as described) where there are two bicycles heading north on opposite parts of the road. Motorists in either direction seeing two bicycles will likely be confused in what way to give the requisite 3 feet.
And what does the 3 foot passing rule have to do with anyone on the sidewalk?
I personally detour-ed myself by at least 2.5 miles every day for a month last November in order to avoid several obstacles posed by a highway interchange that cuts through my municipality. We all do what we can to be safe.
Have you checked out the Advocacy and Safety forum here? I think you'd like it. It's full of lively discussions about what the rules should be and most everyone agrees with each other.
#102
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A 3000 pound car that is physically 2 times wider than the sidewalk is the same thing as a 20 lb bike that can easily and safely pass a pedestrian with ample clearance at a walking pace on a sidewalk.
Facepalm.
#103
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So people don't agree with your opinions (and they are opinions, not laws consistent everywhere) and you're disappointed in us?
The topic has changed somewhat since then.
#105
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(and they are opinions, not laws consistent everywhere) and you're disappointed in us?
The first time you reacted to this you said law abiding was for chumps.
It's so much better to have absolute rules designed for the average be applied to the extremes and enforced with draconian authority. That makes for a much happier free society. (Massive sarcasm alert)
When you drive 56mph on a 55mph zone you to self report your scofflaw behavior to the police and demand to be ticketed?
It's amazing how paying attention and keeping your speed in check with the specific conditions (pedestrians, visibility, etc) can virtually eliminate any and all problems.
The topic has changed somewhat since then. This is normal for any conversation, and practically required of an internet conversation. It will continue to morph into other scenarios in the future.
As a motorist, I have yet to be confused by anything happening on the sidewalk. If you are paying attention to the sidewalk while driving on the road, you shouldn't be driving a car. Period.
And what does the 3 foot passing rule have to do with anyone on the sidewalk?
And what does the 3 foot passing rule have to do with anyone on the sidewalk?
At the very least the motorist will have to stop and think, which causes delay, which could lead to an accident
Last edited by parkbrav; 04-09-19 at 07:47 AM.
#106
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I'll wait.
The third time you said that you perceived there to be some sort of mitigation in your personal circumstances. Now what's your response?
That's a polite way of admitting that you have hi-jacked this thread and have prolonged this thread unnecessarily for weeks.
This is an interesting conversation that people are engaged in constructively. Your original scenario was talked out. The conversation morphed into alternate scenarios. People are having an interesting discussion about it. Not everyone is going to agree with you that this kind of riding is always bad and always wrong and always dangerous. And people who don't agree with you are not forbidden from posting that disagreement, even in 'your' thread.
#107
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Quote me saying law abiding was for chumps.
I'll wait.
I'll wait.
It's so much better to have absolute rules designed for the average be applied to the extremes and enforced with draconian authority. That makes for a much happier free society. (Massive sarcasm alert)
When you drive 56mph on a 55mph zone you to self report your scofflaw behavior to the police and demand to be ticketed?
I know you're dying to have the last word, so I'll let you have it, perhaps finally we can leave it there, with the poor horse being beaten
#108
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Okay, let’s keep discussions civil. The OP got an answer, the thread drifted, and the topic changed some. Please recognize that and respect differing opinions without taking offense.
#109
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Your original scenario was talked out.
Last edited by parkbrav; 04-09-19 at 08:17 AM.
#110
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Q. What do you guys think of riding a bit of sidewalk on the left side of the street?
A. LANCE ARMSTRONG SHOULD NOT INSTALL RAZOR BLADES ON HIS RACE BIKE AND PLOW DOWN MOTHERS AND CHILDREN TRYING TO GET TO CHURCH YOU BELONG IN HELL!!!!
Q. Wait, what?
However, in the OP, you cryptically hint that this other cyclist is doing other things wrong. Maybe it's time to wrap this thread up and go start another thread where we can all agree this other guy is a jerk
#111
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Dammit, Lance Armstrong! Why you gotta be like that!?
#112
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WRONG,... TOTALY wrong, Yes, pedestrian's, or 6 year old bicyclists can go either way.... NO, problem. BUT, when an , adult bicyclist starts to/and are riding at lets say 3 X, 4X, maybe even 5X the speed of pedestrians or said 6 year old's… Things can go wrong, wrong real fast, when combined with motor vehicle traffic… JMO as I see it...
More to the point, car drivers entering a road from a driveway MUST be ready for pedestrian traffic at any speed that anyone would normally use a sidewalk*, from BOTH directions, BEFORE even looking for car traffic.
* (Hint - not all pedestrians walk, and not all pedestrians travel at walking speed. ) **
** (Okay, hint for the hint, if you haven't gotten it already. Wheelchair users routinely travel sidewalks at 6-8 MPH. If you're going even that fast on a bicycle on a sidewalk, well, DON'T! In either direction.)
#113
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Absolutely.
Q. What do you guys think of riding a bit of sidewalk on the left side of the street?
A. LANCE ARMSTRONG SHOULD NOT INSTALL RAZOR BLADES ON HIS RACE BIKE AND PLOW DOWN MOTHERS AND CHILDREN TRYING TO GET TO CHURCH YOU BELONG IN HELL!!!!
Q. Wait, what?
However, in the OP, you cryptically hint that this other cyclist is doing other things wrong. Maybe it's time to wrap this thread up and go start another thread where we can all agree this other guy is a jerk
Q. What do you guys think of riding a bit of sidewalk on the left side of the street?
A. LANCE ARMSTRONG SHOULD NOT INSTALL RAZOR BLADES ON HIS RACE BIKE AND PLOW DOWN MOTHERS AND CHILDREN TRYING TO GET TO CHURCH YOU BELONG IN HELL!!!!
Q. Wait, what?
However, in the OP, you cryptically hint that this other cyclist is doing other things wrong. Maybe it's time to wrap this thread up and go start another thread where we can all agree this other guy is a jerk
#115
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As I have said before, if there are two bicycles both heading north, the car knows to swerve to the left to give three feet to the bicycles. If there are two bicycles, one heading north, one heading south, and the motorist is heading south, which way should the motorist swerve to steer clear of the bicycles? If they don't swerve, they risk hitting a bicycle. If they do swerve, they risk hitting the other bicycle. If they merge to the middle, they risk hitting an on-coming car.
At the very least the motorist will have to stop and think, which causes delay, which could lead to an accident
At the very least the motorist will have to stop and think, which causes delay, which could lead to an accident
#116
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Ok, enough. The OP also requested the thread be closed
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