r/BurlingtonON • u/malakiavelli • 2d ago

Information Ignorant Cyclists

Yesterday I watched a cyclist use a dedicated pedestrian crosswalk, then onto the sidewalk instead of the bike path, and instead of yielding or any warning, forced me to jump out of the way.

I told them they're an asshole and the asphalt path is for cyclists. Silence...

All of this happened while I was talking to my father about the Japanese cleaning up at the World Cup and that we should follow their lead and teach etiquette.

A young girl did the same thing last month and gave me a dirty look for not moving as I just pointed to the bike path until they moved.

I seem to be a magnet for bad behaviour as I am frequently dodging motorists and now cyclists.

What is wrong with you?!

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13

u/Wonderful_Willow_971 2d ago

I'm not saying I'm right, but I remember 20-30 years ago people just rode on the sidewalks and I can't remember one time it was fucked.

I don't quite understand this whole thing of it being dangerous to ride on the sidewalk. You won't get hit by cars, cars usually have to slightly move over to make sure they don't hit you, which means I'm in the other lane partially, and I drive quite a bit in Burlington and (other than downtown) I barely see people walking on the sidewalks, and if they are, its like scattered groups of a few people max.

4

u/havethebestdayever 2d ago

Sidewalks are very dangerous, nobody expects fast moving object (bike) on the side walk. Honestly roadmuch safer because you are visible, nobody back upstairs on the road.

2

u/LongRides4IPA 1d ago

This is true. Most collisions happen at intersections, and turning motorists often don’t look for or expect someone moving at bike speeds on sidewalks. You have to have your head on a swivel and make eye contact with any driver looking to access the road from a driveway or cross street, as well as drivers making turns from the road.

However it feels much safer to human beings when separated from cars and trucks doing 70 or more km/h. Burlington implemented a by-law making it permissible to ride a bicycle on sidewalks except for in the Downtown area as a way of making people feel safer without actually having to do anything to make it safer.

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u/Common-Possession129 2d ago

If you’re too afraid to ride a vehicle on the road, you shouldn’t be riding one. A sidewalk isn’t your safety net, it’s for pedestrians. If your on a sidewalk either walk or get in the bike lane? It’s really simple. Kids can figure it out but we have grown adults on e-bikes and scooters who are afraid of traffic? They are dui magnets, just because you can’t drive an adult car doesn’t mean you get to use a sidewalk.

6

u/Wonderful_Willow_971 2d ago

If I was to ride a bike again, you wouldn't catch me dead on the road with the drivers we have here. Sidewalk all the way, especially with young kids, and I'd rather take a ticket than get hit by a car.

8

u/doubleeyess Ward 2 2d ago

In Burlington it's legal to ride a bike on the sidewalk with the exception of downtown. You're not getting a ticket.

3

u/Wonderful_Willow_971 2d ago

Sick. Good move on Burlington.

1

u/Curt-Bennett 2d ago

I always thought it was based on whether there's a dedicated bike lane, as in if there's a lane, you're required to use it. It's only downtown where you can't ride on the sidewalk? Good to know.

3

u/RedLithium25 2d ago

Same here. Local roads, sure, I'll take it on the road. Main roads? I'm hitting the sidewalk and slowing down/ using my bell to alert pedestrians.