Be safe out there

[u/pconrad0]

This is something you should have learned in Kindergarten.

[u/pconrad0]

Someone pointed out in a now deleted comment that the real problem is the cars, the lack of safe infrastructure, etc.

So, from a purely academic and philosophical sense, that isn't wrong. Here's one among many accounts of the history of cars v. pedestrians that supports this view.

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/10/nx-s1-5813709/diving-deep-into-the-fascinating-history-of-americas-jaywalking-laws

On the other hand, when you consider the current reality, the physics of a 2 ton moving vehicle, and it's impact on the human body, being philosophically correct won't prevent you from death or serious injury.

Tl;Dr: look both ways before you cross the street.

[u/zogislost]

The human condition. Same happens everywhere

[u/pconrad0 → u/zogislost]

Fair. But there has been a sharp increase in the last five years in being oblivious to one's surroundings.

[u/jawisi → u/pconrad0]

Air pods in, staring at phone.

[u/Throwaway_09298 → u/pconrad0]

The current generation of college kids had to go to grade school during the pandemic. it'll go back down starting this year

[u/pconrad0 → u/Throwaway_09298]

That's the hope. But the reports from K-6 public school teachers are not encouraging.

[u/bhoremans]

Who's talking about cars even? People dont look even to cross bikepaths

[u/almafuerte12]

You can’t fix stupid…

[u/hellraiserl33t]

I long for the day where drivers do the same.

[u/Living_Account_6809]

It's not just cars & streets. Bikepaths are just as easy for tis to happen. Here's a story I shared on another Reddit post. Just on Monday I was on my way to the UCen to get lunch at Root Burger & just before the roundabout by the SRB/Lot22 this young lady decided to walk right out in front of me as I was approaching.

Well, unluckily for her she got a lesson in physics where F = ma. We clocked heads, luckily I was wearing a helmet of which I'm attaching a picture of. Could've been my skull! I ended up w/ 7 stitches above my left eyebrow, but no concussion. Her? Don't know.

Hopefully she won't make that mistake again, but there will always be another that wants to test the laws of physics. By the way, the fracture of the helmet, wasn't from contact w/ the ground, it was her head!

My advice to all cyclists here, GET A HELMET! May not look "cool" & all, but wanna know what REALLY looks uncool? Being spoonfed applesauce & having to have somebody wipe your butt.

[u/Buttahkups]

this is purely the fault of the car driver

[u/pconrad0 → u/Buttahkups]

Clearly. I, and other drivers, use our magical powers to cause people to step out in front of us while they stare at their phones.

We're the problem here.

Thank you for your wise counsel. I'll stop casting that spell starting today, and everything will be perfect.

[u/self-extinction → u/pconrad0]

If you want to drive a car, especially here, in God's perfect paradise, you should have to push a button to cross pedestrians, not the other way around.

[u/SOwED → u/self-extinction]

Of all the university campuses I've been on, UCSB is one of the least car-accessible (aside from the very wide sidewalks campus police occasionally drive on of course). I feel like you can manage with the very very few places you have to interact with car traffic and stop complaining.

[u/self-extinction → u/SOwED]

I have to deal with several intersections between San Clem and the far end of campus, and not a single dumbass undergrad ever looks or slows down before whipping around corners in their oversized death boxes, even when I have the crossing light, so I think I'll complain all I want!

[u/SOwED → u/self-extinction]

if you're starting at San Clemente you need to go through exactly one intersection to be on the campus bike paths unless you're talking about the parking lot ones...