Michael suggests: "It's simple....dismount!"
Blog Contributor Two: This feels like something written by a non-cyclist. Here are some examples of other things that are simple: "eat healthy food", "don't talk on the phone while driving", "be nice", "attend classes", "save money"... I think most solutions really aren't that simple. Why don't we cyclists dismount? I suppose it's partly because of the darned physics of it all–we have learned the delicate art of balancing on two wheels while propelling ourselves, and dismounting is so counterproductive to that basic activity. I think, as someone else has posted, it might be better to ask that we "slow down".
Blog Contributor Three: Bicyclers and skateboarders definitely should be chill and pay attention around pedestrians but pedestrians need to take a little more responsibility as well. Sidewalks are for everyone and while bicyclers and skateboarders should slow down, demanding they dismount is going to far. Besides, why do pedestrians get to do "moronic things" while bicyclists and skateboarders have to "think critically"? Everyone is responsible for their behavior, bicyclists, boarders, and walkers.
Blog Contributor Four: I would like to rephrase Michael's comment to read "It's simple...use common sense!". There are plenty of times when it just makes sense to get off your bike and walk it instead of weaving in between pedestrians, skateboarders, and other cyclists during crowded class change. Unless you are an expert at track stands and can literally ride as slowly as a pedestrian, then just get off your bike and walk until the crowd thins out. Or, even better, find a different route through campus that isn't as crowded.
Blog Contributor Five: I'm not going to agree to the simplicity of dismounting. Perhaps drivers should abandon their cars and walk when traffic jams occur, perfect logic, eh? I again cite the need for everyone to approach crowds with caution. No one should cycle into a congested sidewalk without understanding how to dismount quickly and safely, yet the need to dismount must be individually evaluated. In certain cases, it may be helpful if a group of bikers call out their position, request pedestrians move, and pass appropriately ("on the left" in case you don't know). Other times it may be safer if bikers dismount, instead of looking like Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I just don't feel making blanket statements like "it's simple...dismount", recognize ever situation.
Blog Contributor Six: Dismount? Or exercise judgment. Just because there are a few people walking here and there does not mean that a cyclist should be forced to walk their bike...that would be like demanding that when there are a few cyclists present, all pedestrians should cease movement until the cyclists have safely passed. Instead, the cyclists should check their speeds. If a cyclist is moving at a constant rate among the pedestrians, and moving slowly enough (while proving themselves capable of maintaining balance) that they do not endanger anyone, there is absolutely no reason why a cyclist should be forced to dismount...they bike to campus to ride, not walk. If they're causing no harm, then they should be allowed to commute in the fashion that they prefer...just like pedestrians, who usually are paying far less attention than cyclists when traveling around a large amount of other people.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No, its not that simple. What is simple is that pedestrians, cyclists, and boarders take out their earphones, stop texting and pay attention. But asking 2000 some people to not text in between classes while they walk with their heads in their phones probably won't happen. As a cyclist AND pedestrian, I know I am more likely to text and to listen to music when I am walking. When I am on my bike I am alert, and am often times doubly alert because so many others aren't. It's frustrating when you ask politely to pass until you realize the person in front of you is rocking out to some jams--- there isn't anything wrong with listening to music, but when someone isn't paying attention it becomes a safety issue.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe your blog missed one of the biggest pictures. If skateboarders were allowed to skate in the bake lane of Boulder's roads there would be far less problems. But, because Boulder Police give tickets to skaters in the road, we are forced onto a sidewalk. It doesn't make any sense. Cars shouldn't be driving so fast on campus that they would run skaters or bikers over. Therefore skaters need to be allowed in the bake lanes to free up sidewalk space for people who just want to walk.
ReplyDeleteIt's a simple solution really. At least within the campus, students should just be allowed to skate in the road.
I feel like this post was originally meant as a plea for cyclists to dismount in areas of heavy pedestrian traffic, such as the narrow sidewalks within campus, not the roads through campus, but people seem to be so eager to defend their personal position that all perspective is lost for both sides of the story.
ReplyDeleteWhy do DIRCs have to be bicyclists and skateboarders? Pedestrians are often the biggests DIRCs of all, not paying attention to anything, swerving and texting, etc. Bikers don't need to dismount if they can control their bike in heavy pedestrian traffic.
ReplyDelete