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

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

This is one of those things that drives ME batty - everyone thinks that he or she is the only person in the world.

I couldn't agree more. That is the fundamental issue that causes problems between pedestrian/jogger/cyclists/cars. Too many people are unaware of the world that surrounds them. PAY ATTENTION, folks. The laws are there for a reason, so follow them. As a cyclist, I do not go on the sidewalk, regardless of pedestrian traffic. Our place is on the street, or on the bike path, PERIOD. If I need to go anywhere else with my bike, I walk it. And don't even get me started on red-light-running-cyclists, the cyclists-with-head-phones-and-do-not-hear-me-passing, the cyclists-that-ride-in-the-middle-of-the-path, the cyclists-who-ride-abreast, cyclists-who-ride-down-wrong-way-on-one-way-streets...

For those of you are so against these laws, at least be aware of people around you. You don't have to obey the laws, I don't care, but if I am and you are getting in my way, friggin' move. Seriously. Drivers/cyclists/joggers/pedestrians alike. We all pay for these streets, so let's learn how to share like good little boys and girls.