[MissoulaGov] Committee Update 9-30-09 Bikes on Sidewalks

Sun Oct 4 10:29:37 MDT 2009

This is all interesting! I did not mean that people do not get hit, I just until now had never heard of or seen it. 

Personally I try not to be on the sidewalk much at all unless it really brings some sort of advantage, and then if there is the possibility of people I go real slow. I do not dismount for one simple reason though and that is that I then take up significantly more room. That is however specific to me riding one of my fixed gears so I can track stand when I wait for pedestrians. Not everyone can do that, sure, but there are times when you need to use the sidewalk. However I think it is already law that you have to yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk. Funny enough it just seems courteous to do so I am confused when it does not happen. 

The left hand turn bit, well you are suppose to be able to merge to the left lane first but we all know that does not always work out. I have definitely been yelled at for doing so before by some lady telling me I was suppose to be "over there". I have no idea in her mind what made it a good idea to cut four lanes of traffic filled with 3500lb four wheel death machines, on a 16lbs bicycle. 

This might sound rash but as much as injuries are terrible, I can live with the ones being reported for bicyclists on sidewalks a lot better than the ones of bicycles on the road dieing. That does not mean I want bicyclist on the sidewalk regularly, but I understand anyone's choice to ride on a sidewalk even though I ask them to ride on the road. Bike lanes? Well sure they are nice but when you can still get doored in them they mean so much less. That or they end or have push you into traffic bulb outs. Places like Higgins just will never feel very safe until it becomes a three lane. I understand a work in progress as well but I can much more clearly see the obvious advantages kept for motorist traffic; the idea being it is ok to inconvenience - threaten life - of bicyclists but never a motorist who is traveling much faster and not "inconvenienced" every time they are on the road even though it would mean mere seconds out of their already too fast and lazy travel. 

Perhaps we are looking at this the wrong way though... if we increase the frequency of bicyclists on the sidewalk maybe we can neutralize the homeless at the same time!

Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 08:50:43 -0600
From: ethelmacd at gmail.com
To: geoffb at ism.net
CC: missoulagov at cmslists.com
Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 9-30-09 Bikes on Sidewalks

Thanks, Shaun & Geoff, for your comments.  As a bicyclist I agree completely -- basically it boils down to being considerate and safe:  bike in the street when possible, and obey vehicle rules; when it's safer and more practical to be on the sidewalk,  either dismount if it's crowded, or go very slowly and be ready to dismount if the sidewalk is fairly empty.  Walk the bike across crosswalk when it's more practical and safer, for example, than trying to make a left turn in heavy traffic from the bike lane.  And yes, we all make mistakes and goofs, but on a bike it's so much easier to communicate and say "sorry!"  Ethel

On Sat, Oct 3, 2009 at 11:30 PM, Geoff Badenoch <geoffb at ism.net> wrote:

A great deal of effort was made by John Williams and others in the ‘70’s and 80’s to gain the status of “vehicle” for bikes in State law; that allowed cyclists all the rights to the road that motorists have.  And the responsibilities.

As Shaun observes, on those occasions where a cyclist has no choice but to use the sidewalks, simply yielding out of courtesy makes it safe for everyone.  Final tip, when cyclists overtake pedestrians while riding (as on trails or sidewalks), announcing oneself is good manners.  Not a shout or anything that will startle someone. Usually a simple, audible “On your left” will suffice and help keep pedestrians from making unpredictable moves.

Bike more.

Geoff Badenoch

-----Original Message-----
From: missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com [mailto:missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com] On Behalf Of Shaun

Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 10:30 PM
To: missoulagov at cmslists.com

Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 9-30-09 Bikes on Sidewalks

In reference to Jeremy Hood and Derek Goldman's messages: I have seen a pedestrian hit by a bicyclist and I know someone who was hit, knocked down, and fractured her arm so badly she's still in rehab six months later.  True, bikes are at the same type of disadvantage when it comes to car traffic.  That's why so much energy and money's been applied to bike lanes.  I used to walk my bike across the Orange Street bridge sidewalk when there was an 18 inch curb on it since there was literally nowhere to go if a car got too close to you.  A cyclist was killed by a car on that bridge.  Now there is space on Orange and there's no reason to be on the sidewalk, walking or riding. 

On the UM campus, a good compromise was worked out to yield the right of way to pedestrians.  So when not travelling in the bike lanes, why not do the same thing--even join the pedestrian traffic, walk the bike across streets so cars stop, and dismount when overtaking or meeting someone walking?  It's not that hard and a lot less scary for everyone (including the cyclist) whether people are nearly missed or actually hit.  Bicyclists who want to ride on the sidewalks are not "punished" by using the streets, nor are they "undesireables" or simply annoying to shoppers: they are selfish.  Coasting into a parking place is one thing, but riding through pedestrians is rude. 

Shaun Gant

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