Bikes on sidewalks?

[nowalmart.livejournal.com]

With the weather turning nicer I have been doing more running. Most of my normal running routes take me through Davis Square. I feel like there are a lot more bikes on the sidewalks in Davis Square than there were last year (my only other year in Somerville to compare it to).

Just a reminder:

According to Somerville Traffic Regulations,

Non-motorized transportation conveyances are prohibited from operating on sidewalks and in parks in certain districts as hereinafter defined. Persons operating non-motorized transportation conveyances must dismount said conveyances and walk within these districts.

(a) Davis Square – On Holland Street, from Irving Street to College Avenue; On Elm Street, from College Avenue to Windom Street; on Highland Avenue, from Cutter Avenue to College Avenue; and on College Avenue from Highland Avenue to Morrison Avenue; and on all intersecting ways within those limits a distance of fifty feet from the above named streets.

In addition, Pedestrians shall have the right-of-way over bicycles on all sidewalks and in all crosswalks. The operator of a bicycle shall yield to pedestrians in all traffic situations. (all of this is on page 53 of that .pdf)

That means that if you are riding on your bike, I am coming in the opposite direction, and there are a few people walking between us, I get to go around them without having to yield to you and your bike. I have almost been run into several times, and only avoided it because *I* backed down.

Comments

[tisana.livejournal.com]

The biking at night with no reflectors, lights, or helmet drives me batty. I used to bike, and the idea of doing so in the city frightens me, frankly--it's dangerous even if you play by the rules, because the drivers are often entitled assholes. But when I see cyclists being stupid like that, I want to stop the car and yell at them.

Are there actually any laws about safety measures for cyclists? They certainly aren't enforced if there are. It's not like seatbelts, or obeying traffic signs for cars.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

yup, there sure are:

http://massbike.org/bikelaw/

[tisana.livejournal.com]

Ah... That part about helmets only being mandatory for 16 and under? That explains some things. Not happy about that. More people should wear them...probably saved my brother's life when he got hit (the helmet was a mess). But, given how they're not enforced at all (and in some ways, that's good, others, not at all), I doubt making helmets mandatory for all cyclists would make a difference.

[ron_newman]

The bicycle-helmet law argument is pretty much the same as the motorcycle-helmet law argument or the car seat-belt law argument. Should there be a law to protect you from yourself?

I tend towards the libertarian side of all these arguments: everyone should wear helmets or seat belts, but the law shouldn't require it.

[nowalmart.livejournal.com]

As a fellow libertarian, I agree with you.

However, I will fully support it when my insurance premiums do not help pay for the idiocy of someone else.

Want to ride your motorcycle with a helmet? Good, sign this insurance contract that says if you are ever are in an accident while not wearing one, the insurance company does not have to pay.

Want to ride your motorcycle without a helmet? Good, pay higher premiums.

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

I would say that as many bikers by ratio are entitled assholes who feel like they've got the right to go 16 mph in the middle of one of the lanes during rush hour.

[ron_newman]

If they're going 16 mph at rush hour, they're surely moving faster than the car traffic. Which is a good reason to bike instead of driving.

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

Yup! And I only ride in the middle of the lane (but never between) if I'm about to make a left turn. It kind of requires me to move over. Otherwise, I agree with sticking to the side of the street.

[tisana.livejournal.com]

This is true. I get almost as annoyed with stupid cyclists (and there probably are more, by ratio) as I do with stupid drivers. But stupid drivers are much more protected by their vehicles if they have an accident. A stupid cyclist is likely to end up, as you put it, a smear. I don't want to do that any more than they want to end up that way...so why is having reflectors or lights at night such a hard concept? Or helmets? And why are these idiots mostly around colleges? You'd expect they'd have a bit more sense.